Photo by Jeff Clemens - March 14 Raymond students joined the nationwide walk out against gun violence.
Students nationwide led walkouts on March 14 at 10:00 a.m. for 17 minutes to honor and remember the 17 students and staff who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Just about every school district in Washington saw students participate in some way.
All three local schools had students walk out of class to join the nationwide protest. At Raymond High School around 50 to 60 students converged at the Seagull statue while a student named off the names of all the victims of the shooting in Florida.
"It's really sad this is what it has come to," Raymond Superintendent Dr. Steve Holland said. "This is what it is now and I just cannot believe it. We shouldn't have to see all this going on."
While in South Bend, students also joined the movement with around 60 students in total leaving class according to South Bend School District Superintendent Jon Tienhaara.
"We had about 30 junior-high kids walk out into the courtyard and sit down. They just remained silent." Tienhaara stated. "I was really impressed with them. We also had about 25-30 high school students walk out also. There were no signs or chanting. They were all very respectful about it."
Willapa Valley had about a dozen students who walked from class and observed a moment of silence. While a majority of students planned to do a 'walkup' instead.
"Our students didn't really stage a walkout," Principal Nancy Morris stated. "They felt they wanted to do a walkup and talk to others about the violence and how its affecting our nation. Hoping to bring it to attention so it gets talked about more. They just didn't feel a walkout was the best idea."
So far in 2018 there have been a record 14 school shootings so far and the growing consistency of gun violence has began to raise a major alarm. Schools in many places are taking drastic measures such as talk of arming teachers, training them and students for active shooters, and other measures encase of an attack.
"I really just can't believe it," Dr. Holland said. "I really can't see anything good coming from arming teachers. You get adrenaline running in a situation like that and who knows how things would happen or the damage it could accidentally cause. We have to worry about student safety and I'm not sure that's the best option."
Speaking with Tienhaara about the topic also he stated, "I just don't see that happening here [arming teachers]. I have had several teachers approach me and tell me they aren't very comfortable with the idea. Right now we just like a lot of other schools are looking at all options to best protect students at each school."
With parent permission the Herald was able to meet with the student who led the Raymond walkout and Raymond Jr. Sr. High School Principal Dave Vetter for a interview about the walkout and the lesson learned.
The student explained that students are fed up with gun violence and overall inaction by the government. They want to bring awareness to the issue so that someone who can do something will. "We just want our voice heard," the student stated. "We don't want to see anymore friends, family members, teachers, students, anyone to die from anymore gun violence. It has to stop."
Vetter explained that the district knew for the last few weeks to expect the students to organize something and they wanted to look at how to best handle it, but more importantly how to learn from it.
"We decided to look at a way to turn this into a teaching opportunity," Vetter stated. "So we used the chance to turn this into a civics lesson for the students. We made it clear we weren't going to punish any of them for walking out because you can't make change without action. I've heard some schools have or planned to punish students for it and I just don't think that's the right way to go about this. "
Vetter went on to explain that the growing consistency of shootings has kept him awake at night not out of fear, but because he wonders what he would do. "I know without a doubt I'd run towards gunfire," he stated. "But, all I can think about is how do I protect everyone, how? All I care about is student safety and I cannot believe this has to be a constant thought in my mind."
He continued, "we've all been ignorant for to long and we need to give weight to the voice of the students. They are trying to tell us all something is wrong and we need to listen."