Prairie du Chien students support Florida shooting victims' families, survivors
By Ted Pennekamp
Prairie du Chien students Faith Dillman, Jordyn Fisher and Hope Meyer read brief biographies of the 17 shooting victims of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida during a walkout commemoration Wednesday morning. Approximately 150 Prairie du Chien students joined their counterparts from across the country in the National School Walkout Day, leaving school at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, March 14) for 17 minutes to show their solemn support for the victims, their families and the survivors of the shooting.
“It’s very sad and unfortunate that we have to do this,” said student organizer Hope Meyer.
"It’s very important to show that their families are not alone in this,” added organizer Faith Dillman.
Jordyn Fisher, another student organizer, said that 17 balloons, each bearing a victim’s name, were released by Dean of Students Scott Gordon as each biography was read.
At the end of the commemoration, Gordon encouraged the students to continue their leadership back in their classrooms and school setting by being kind to each other. He commented that all students struggle with something and that simply being kind to one another can go a long way to prevent situations like Florida.
Though the nationwide stance was also intended to demonstrate the need for stronger gun laws across the country, there was no discussion of that during the Prairie du Chien walkout.