School Walkout for Parkland Shooting Victims Set for Wednesday

On Wednesday March 14 there will be a student walkout at UHS in response to recent gun violence in schools. This date marks one month since the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. The walkout will start at 10am and will last 17 minutes: one minute for each of the victims.

The walkout is meant to honor the victims of the Parkland shooting on February 14. Some students also see this as an opportunity to push congress to pass stricter gun control laws and protect America’s schools

Students who participate in the walkout will leave the school at 10am, walk across the street to Carle Park, and will proceed to spend 17 minutes in silence. Those who are considering joining the walkout should know that even though the cause is supported by many staff members, the school cannot legally indorse a student walkout. Therefore, there will be repercussions for participating, though it will likely be no more than a detention for skipping class.

In a March 6 meeting after school about the walkout, teachers expressed a desire to join the walkout along with their students. As the walkout is not sanctioned by the school because it could be considered a political event, teachers were not given permission. Despite this, staff members are still showing their support.

“I think that the student walkout is a great idea. It’s a way our kids can be part of a national movement,” says Kim Summers, an English teacher at UHS.

Summers believes that the school board should support the students in this and allow the teachers to join as well. “As a faculty member, I would love to participate but because of my job, I cannot,” she said. “I would love to walk out with the kids and show support.”