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VOL. 23 • NO. 13
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
York students conduct walkout for gun control National initiative urges less violence; focus on mental health
By Dee Longfellow
FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
Led by York seniors Kyra Stanton and Olivia Pechous and junior Maddy Small, York High School held a student gun control walkout event on Wednesday, March 14 at 10 a.m., as part of a national initiative to draw attention to gun violence in schools. Just prior to 10 a.m., most students were permitted to peacefully exit the building and join a group that gathered on York’s front steps for a 17-minute ceremony, in honor of the 17 persons who were killed in the incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Most of the youth carried signs. Extra signs had been made so that everyone could participate. After the ceremony, Stanton, Pechous and Small met with members of the local media as well as District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer. Some reporters commented about how extra-secure the school was today, not surprisingly, with police cars present and blocked lot entrances. “Our concerns today were only for the students’ safety,” he said. “We wanted them to have their voices heard, but were concerned that it be done in a controlled, safe way. “ He praised the efforts of the three young ladies, noting how well they worked along with others in the school. “I’m very impressed with these girls and the administration and how they worked together for a legitimate purpose that was done in a safe and orderly way,” Moyer said.
SCHOOL DISTRICT 205 PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
On Wednesday, March 14, York High School held a student gun control walkout event, part of a national initiative to draw attention to gun violence in schools. The national effort was spurred by the tragic event that happened recently, when the 17 persons were shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
allowed, if they had a test or something,” Stanton said. “Those who had gym during that period did not participate either. “We set up an Instagram page about the event, that’s how everyone found out about it. All together, there About the walkout… “It was mostly the students choice, were 800-1000 students who walked but there were some who were not out and there’s a total of 2700 stu-
dents at York, so we think that’s a pretty good number.” The young ladies scheduled the 17-minute ceremony – right down to the minute -- selecting three students’ essays to be read from among 20 submissions. “We chose the essays that offered the best message while being the
“It was our goal to send a message least partisan,” said Pechous, who is also president of the student body, al- to our legislators [about gun safety] though she made a point that this was and to unify students on this political, bipartisan issue,” she said. “But not a student council activity. this can’t be the end today, we must Goals include taking action for follow up and take action. The issues are school safety, gun safety and future Asked their goals for the day, See WALKOUT, Page 4 Stanton spoke up.
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