By Amanda Waskiewicz
Ever since the February tragedy at Marjory Stone Douglas in Parkland, Florida, students all across the country have mourned the loss of seventeen students and faculty. Students were outraged at the lack of gun-control laws, leading to an eruption of protests. Stoneman Douglas students began holding rallies, speaking out to congress, and challenging the country’s leader for more regulations and safer schools. Students all over the nation organized a national walk-out of all schools for a month after the tragedy. At 9:43 AM, Timber Creek students and faculty gathered in the courtyard for seventeen minutes of silence in honor of the victims. Each minute, the name of a victim was said along with a fact about them. “Being there was very powerful,” Junior Thomas McClure says. “Just thinking about how easily it could happen to our school is enough to keep pushing for what we believe in.”
At 10 AM, schools all over the United States began a walk-out, protesting for change to be made. Through the silence, marching, and chanting, students sent a message to lawmakers everywhere, “Enough is Enough.” The voice of this generation became stronger than ever through these protests, standing in solidarity has the country’s leaders in serious thought. “I think it’s really great to see our generation of young adults really standing up for what they believe in… I think the steps we take now will play into future decisions now,” Samantha Henson says. As students marched, a bill was passed by the House of Representatives to ensure a safer school environment. Many were upset by this, because it did not mention any type of gun laws, providing more incentive to march. Time is not up yet, students plan to continue voicing their opinions and keep trying for change.
“Be a nuisance when it counts. Do your part to inform and stimulate the public to join your action. Be depressed, discouraged, and disappointed at failure and the disheartening effects of ignorance, greed, corruption and bad politics – but never give up.” – Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
