COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Students in Coldwater Wednesday joined thousands of students around Michigan and across the nation in “Walk Out” events called for by the student survivors in Parkland, Florida to honor the victims of last month’s high school mass shooting which occurred one month ago yesterday.
The walkouts, which were set to last for 17 minutes, one for each of the fatal victims, also urged lawmakers to pass gun control legislation.
About 75 middle and high school students at Pansophia Academy in Coldwater stood in silence for 17 minutes in front of the school. Pansophia Principal Jamie Mueller said the students approached her a few days ago and asked if they could participate in the walkout. She told them it was absolutely their right as human beings to express themselves. Mueller said the activity was entirely student driven, school officials didn’t plan any of it, and they decided to let the kids, in her words, roll with it, adding they are so proud of the students.
Meanwhile at Legg Middle School in Coldwater, 11 students walked out to the main entrance at the building while others opted to stay inside and participate by performing 17 acts of kindness Wednesday around the school. Administrators at Legg said they hope the kindness is not a one day activity.
Between 250 and 300 students at Coldwater High School left class at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday and gathered in the cafeteria. According to principal Bill Milnes, the students held conversations on why they were there and how they could be a positive influence on each other. After 17 minutes, Milnes briefly addressed the students and they returned to class.
A national event in Washington D.C., the “March for Our Lives”, is planned for Saturday, March 24, 2018 as the Parkland survivors continue to press their case and take it directly to lawmakers
