UNITED WE STAND

By EMILY NAGLE

On Wednesday, March 14th three students at Washingtonville High School organized a school wide optional assembly.  This assembly was intended for students to take time to remember the 17 lives that were lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14th, 2018.  It was also to acknowledge the 13 other school shootings that occurred as well.  That number will only continue to increase, unless students take a stand in hopes for change.

EMILY NAGLE FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY 

There have been approximately 14 school shootings in the United States since the start of 2018.  That is about 1.5 school shootings per week, and so far, there have been as many as three in a single week, according to cnn.com.  School shootings are the most unexpected tragedy to happen within the learning environment, and statistically speaking, there will be almost double the amount of school shootings this year, than in 2017.   

Initially, the administration was not involved in the notion of allowing a walkout to occur as walkouts are prohibited according to the school's code of conduct.  However, when student leaders approached Mr. Connolly, the high school principal, and expressed their desire to inspire change, they put their heads together and created what became known as an "optional assembly" where students who wanted to walk out could as long as they had parental permission.  

Like any other student, Ryan Waaland, a senior at WHS was shocked when first hearing about the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, but soon found himself no longer surprised.  “When I heard the kids in Parkland speak, I was inspired by their strength in such hard times and began with creating a remind and started spreading the word of the walkout all across social media,” expressed Waaland.  

The assembly began at 9:45 am, and ended at 10:17 am.  Within this time frame, the participating students were given many statistics about previous, and anticipated school shootings.  In addition, another senior, Maya Diaz, read short descriptions of each individual whose life was taken on that fateful day.  Finally, senior, Nathaniel McIntyre, introduced the moment of silence where students paid their respects to the lives that were lost. 

A great deal of planning went into making sure this event ran as smoothly as it did.  According to Mr. Connolly, "It was one of the most supervised events that we have ever held at Washingtonville High School. "  He went on to inform that permission slips were required for students to participate.  In addition, there were two meetings held with the staff to educate them on the procedures necessary to ensure student safety.  Mr. Connolly expressed, "Our goal was to give our kids the opportunity to express themselves, but our top priority was keeping them safe at all costs."

Over 200 students participated in the optional assembly proving to be a success.  Senior, Victoria Stone, a proud participant, expressed, “I walked out to show that there are students in Washingtonville that want change.”  Bringing awareness to such a tragic event is the first start towards change.  “We live in a soft, little town where nothing ever happens, but from what we’ve seen with school shootings, they could happen anywhere; they could even happen here,” voiced Stone.  

Nathaniel, Maya and Ryan read from the press box overlooking the track. 

All of Washingtonville’s students have, and are entitled to, their own opinions on the matter.  There were many Washingtonville High School students who chose not to walk out on March 14th.  Sophomore, Christopher Sheboy, expressed, “I had a feeling people were going to make it political.  I didn’t want to get into any arguments, so I figured I just wouldn’t participate.”  Sheboy, like other students, decided to “honor the lives of those who died in my own way.”

Every day there are students who fear going to school because of how dangerous it has become.  Change is necessary, but what matters most is the security of the learning environment, and keeping the students safe.  Change is a big step towards preventing, and hoping that this happens #NeverAgain.