Community comes together to honor students lost to gun violence
Recent advocacy around school shootings led to the walkout staged on campus.
Photo by Lori Nishiguchi
Senior Alexander Zweifel talks about concerns for future generations considering the recent rise in gun violence.
Hosted in the Grizzly Plaza, a walkout was staged at noon until the start of lunch on April 5 to honor the lives lost to gun violence. Those who wished to speak on the topic were able to voice their concerns openly, and a two minute silence also took place.
The walkout mainly addressed the most recent school shooting that occurred at Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. on March 27, resulting in the death of three students and three adults.
“I know that this walkout that we’re doing here likely isn’t going to do anything, but for me I’m kind of using it as a chance to process the collective trauma that all of us have experienced growing up in America, in the public school system,” said senior Erin Beckwith.
A similar walkout also occurred last school year in wake of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022. Previous school shootings were also acknowledged, such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.
We see these patterns over and over again so why is there no change? Why isn’t one life enough to change it, let alone thousands?
— Samara Lanum
“Children shouldn’t have to be afraid of somewhere they need to be. People shouldn’t have to be forced to be somewhere they need to be and parents shouldn’t have to worry about dropping their kid off at school [and wonder] if they’ll ever see them again, that should’ve never been a problem,” said senior Alexander Zweifel.
Speakers placed the most emphasis on changing current policies and what individuals can do to prevent future school shootings. The amount of lives lost to gun violence was also a significant topic.
“They will never get to experience the things we take for granted. The joy we have on Friday night lights or going to homecoming, all because of what? An adult thought that this was an appropriate way to express their anger? We see these patterns over and over again so why is there no change? Why isn’t one life enough to change it, let alone thousands?” said sophomore Samara Lanum.
More information about gun violence and ways to support ending gun violence can be found at the Sandy Hook Promise and March For Our Lives. For mental and emotional support on the topic, text “SMUSD” to 741741 or call 988 for immediate mental health emergencies.
(She/her/hers) Lori Nishiguchi is a sophomore who joined the Silvertip in 2021. Lori believes that unbiased, truthful information is key to an accurately...
