HERALD SCHOOLS

Seventeen minutes: a student perspective

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On any other day, 9:59 a.m. would have meant 60 more seconds until I was halfway through third period, 20 more minutes until my English class was over, and two more hours until the bell rang for lunch.

On Wednesday, March 14, however, I was one of millions of students across America waiting for 10 a.m. It meant that I would rise from my chair, head to the front door, and join my classmates in National Walkout Day to honor the lives lost in the Parkland shooting just one month ago.

Deciding to participate in the walkout was my visceral reaction to learning about its occurrence. I was tentative only because I heard that other high schools in the nation, and even in New York, would punish those who participated. However, a week before the walkout was set to take place, our principal and superintendent sent out an email to all students and parents stating they would respect our first amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly.

I was comforted by my school’s acceptance of its students’ desire to stand in solidarity with those affected by the Parkland shooting and knew that I would be supported from the moment I walked out the front door. And when the time came, I was.

At 10 a.m. on March 14, I opened the door of my classroom. What I saw was stunning. I didn’t expect to see a flood of students from all grades pouring out of their classrooms, holding signs, holding hands, and walking out together with purpose; it immediately brought tears to my eyes to see North Shore Students coming together in this way.

As everyone walked towards the front of the school, there was a stillness in the air — it was heavy with sadness, yet symbolized passion and hope for change. Everyone was silent, showing respect for the meaning behind the walkout. I could tell that all those participating were more emotional than they expected to be. My peers’ faces were filled with expressions that can only be described as a mix of mourning and pride in themselves and their classmates for being a part of this moment. When everyone was outside, I stood on a snow bank and looked around; the entire parking lot was filled. It was a sea of change makers as far as the eye could see.

The 17 minutes I spent outside during the walkout are 17 minutes I will remember for the rest of my life. Each minute represented a life lost, and this was very much understood by my classmates and me. We did not speak, or chant or even move much. We peacefully stood together as a community, leaning on one another during this surreal experience.

Each student who participated in National Walkout Day was impacted differently, but I like to think I speak for all of us when I say how empowering and heartwarming it was. The walkout was only the beginning of North Shore students standing up for what we believe in; we are inspired, we are passionate, and we are dedicated to fighting for change. #NeverAgain.