Students at South Brunswick High School and North Brunswick Township High School paid tribute to the lives lost during the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on the one-month anniversary of the massacre.
More than 2,000 South Brunswick High students and staff participated in the school’s “SBHS Walks With Parkland” memorial ceremony and walkout on March 14.
“It was powerful and moving as participants watched from the stands, observing 14 students and three teachers standing in the middle of the snow-covered football field, each in front of a desk representing the 17 who were tragically killed in the Parkland shooting on Feb. 14. Beginning at 10 a.m., all 2,000 students sat perfectly silent for 17 minutes as biographical tributes of each victim were read aloud. After each biography was read, a rose was placed on each desk in honor of the fallen heroes. To conclude the ceremony, 17 chimes echoed throughout the stadium,” students Jenna Cohen and Matthew Ryan said in a joint statement.
The walkout was planned by the SBHS Walks with Parkland Committee, comprised of students, teachers and administrators.
“The committee takes pride in the actions that were taken by its students on March 14, encouraging them to remember the lives lost to senseless acts of violence. Emphasis after the ceremony was then placed on taking action,” according to the statement.
Inspired by the 17 victims lost in Parkland, SBHS developed #WhatsYour17 as a character-building initiative challenging everyone to make the community better: What 17 things can each of us do to enhance life for others in our society?
“I was [so proud] of our students, and the staff that trusted and believed in them. Today, students and staff ‘Walked with Parkland’ in a remembrance that showed true passion and love one can have for others. I am sure that the tears I shed during the reading of the bios of the lost children and teachers were not the only ones shed between 10 a.m. and 10:17 a.m. this morning on the South Brunswick football bleachers,” Superintendent Scott Feder said.
“In the wake of an act that so deeply impacted a community and our nation, we wanted to share with you that SBHS, as it always does in every way possible, demonstrated its character, commitment to excellence and the strength of its core values. Our school wanted to first thank the committee which was comprised of students, teachers, nurses, secretaries, administrators and our police who helped honor those who lost their lives in Parkland and inspire us all to be the change we want to see in the world. However, we would be remiss to not acknowledge the entire student body for their demonstration of empathy and compassion, whether you were indoors or outdoors, for not only being respectful throughout the tribute, but through the words of positive acts that were overheard in the halls on this day. Everyday provides a reason why we have so much pride in SBHS,” Principal Peter Varela said in a statement.
North Brunswick High also organized a student protest activity, choosing to have an organized assembly that included a tribute video, moment of silence, reflection period, and a question-and-answer session.
Both events were closed to the public.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].