SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) – On Wednesday, students from across country will take time to mark the one month anniversary of the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Two students at Bay Port High School are leading the charge at their school.
Junior Abbi Bender remembers watching the horror play out on February 14th.
“I just remember thinking that this could have been Bay Port. This could have been any of the schools in the Green Bay area.”
So, marking the occasion seemed right.
Starting at 9:50 Wednesday morning, students will gather at the flag pole in front of the school, hear the names of the 17 victims, have 17 minutes of silence, then go back to class.
Senior Maddy Pritzl says it’s been neat to see the buzz building up.
“Got people posting all over social media. It’s really nice to see that everyone is coming together too. I just thought it might be a little group of us.”
Pritzl says that’s very encouraging to see because she fears people will just grow numb to the news reports of violence on a seemingly regular basis.
“It’s crazy that this epidemic of mass shootings, no matter where you are, hasn’t stopped already. That’s so scary to think about.”
Bender says the Florida school shooting has inspired her to be more than a spectator.
“And it made me scared, and made me realize that I can’t just sit and do nothing anymore.”
Pritzl and Bender went to Bay Port administration to tell them of their idea and ask how they can make it work.
While not endorsing the event itself, school official say if done peacefully, the action can be a valuable experience.
For its part, the district has sent out letters to parents, asking that any students planning to take part should have their parents contact the school to excuse their absence.
