Parkland Shooting Strengthens Students’ Voices

In the weeks that have passed since the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, countless teenagers across the country have stepped up to speak out against gun violence.

The movement that became a reality shortly after the shooting took place is called Never Again and was formed by two Parkland students. Several others have joined and can be seen on television screens across the country.  The students have met with legislatures, tweeted at politicians, and organized an event called March For Our Lives on March 24 in the streets of Washington, D.C.

“We can’t ignore the issues of gun control that this tragedy raises. And so, I’m asking — no, demanding — we take action now,” Cameron Kasky, one of the founding members of Never Again, wrote on CNN.com.

There are other protests happening on different days in addition to March for our Lives.  One event that GHS students will be participating in will occur on March 14, the one month anniversary of the shooting.  The Women’s March Youth EMPOWER group is encouraging students to walk out of their classes at 10 a.m. for 17 minutes-one minute for each student and faculty member killed.

Another large-scale walkout will take place across the country on April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.  This was started by a high school student from Connecticut and is called #NationalSchoolWalkout. Students from GHS will also participate in this, leaving school and heading to the Milwaukee County Courthouse to set up a protest.

“I will be participating in the walkout organized by a group of Greendale students on April 20th. We’re planning to go to the Milwaukee Courthouse and peacefully protest, and we’re also currently working on looping in other students from other Milwaukee-Area schools. Anyone and everyone is welcome,”  junior Meagan Mevis said.

She also wants to stress that these walkouts and protests are not telling lawmakers what actions should be taken, just that action should be taken.

“This walkout isn’t in the name of one idea. Its goal is to demonstrate that in spite of different beliefs, we can see that changes have to be made,” Mevis added.  “We shouldn’t have to live in fear of violence while we’re trying to get an education.”

The school district wants to make sure students who would like to take part in these events feel safe doing so.

“The national conversation taking place is a great teachable moment. Citizenship is a defined Attribute of a Greendale Graduate and civic engagement is a trait we work to instill in youth as part of maintaining a strong democracy,” Greendale Superintendent Dr. Gary Kiltz said in a letter to parents this week.  “While the school system is not taking a position on the national debate, the administrative team will work with staff to ensure our schools have safe spaces for students to express their ideas and to promote a safe, caring and respectful school environment.”

All students planning to participate in these events recognize the importance of them.

“I think that it is important to stage a walkout to show support and stand in solidarity with other schools like Marjory Stoneman Douglas that have gone through terrible tragedies. It is also important to show that we, as students, will not tolerate people threatening our security in a place that should be safe and secure,” senior Sarah Haas said.  

Senior Sam Henschel agrees that it is important to show that students have opinions.

“I think it’s important to stage a walkout/rallys in general because it is important to let lawmakers know that we are paying attention and that we want change, something difficult to do especially when most of us cannot vote,” she said.

Aside from the Greendale student organized events, Haas plans to protest in more ways than one.

“I plan to protest because I want to show my support to schools like Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Sandy Hook, and Columbine and stand up for our right to be safe at school and other places like concerts, malls, movie theaters, and places of worship,” she said.  “I am planning to participate in the 17-minute walk out on March 14. I will also be going to Madison and protesting at the Capitol on March 24. Finally, I am working with others students to organize and additional walk out on April 20 and protest at the Milwaukee County Courthouse,” she said.

Regardless of their political views, most people recognize that the role of America’s youth is no longer to sit back and watch adults solve problems.

“I think it is extremely inspiring seeing other peers our age taking a strong stance,” senior Rose Irwin said.

Haas agrees.

“When I look at America’s youth I feel so, so much hope. I think that people often underestimate how much power and perseverance young people have, and this underestimation only pushes us further towards our ultimate goal,” she said.

As an educator, social studies teacher Ben Hubing witnesses this perseverance first hand every day and is confident in the future of America.

“To see young men and women stand up for something they believe in and engage in the political process to demand change, regardless of their views, takes a tremendous amount of courage,” he said.  “Over the last few weeks, I have been genuinely in awe of young people across the country and in my classroom.  Make no mistake about it, America’s youth are woke, and that is a fantastic thing for our democracy.”