Hilhi Walk Out

By Gisselle Brasseur

The Nationwide walkout. 17 minutes for 17 tragic deaths. 14 young students and three instructors. On March 14, Hilhi participated in an event in which schools all around America are taking part in.

On February 14, Stoneman Douglas high school had a school shooting. 19 year old Nikolas Cruz killed 17 and injured others. The students who died were, 14 year old Alyssa Alhadeff, 14 year old Martin Duque Anguiano, 35 year old Scott Beigel, 17 year old Nicholas Dworet, 37 year old Aaron Feis, 14 year old Jaime Guttenburg, 49 year old Chris Hixon, 15 year old Luke Hoyer, 14 year old Cara Loughran, 14 year old Gina Montalto, 17 year old Joaquin Oliver, 14 year old Alaina Petty, 18 year old Meadow Pollack, 17 year old Helena Ramsey, 14 year old Alex Schachter, 16 year old Carmen Schentrup, and 15 year old Peter Wang.

These students were like us. They played sports, and participated in after school clubs and activities. They had dreams, maybe going to college, pursuing a career, creating a family. So Hilhi and schools all across the nation use the walkout to speak for those who no longer can. This problem with gun control needs to be resolved.

Thousands of students walked out of their schools at 10:00 am on March 14th. to protest about gun control. The students argument is that 18th century laws should not regulate our weapons today. We should not be able to get ahold of a gun so easily. The guns we have now did not exist when the 2nd amendment was created. This is because back when the 2nd Amendment was created, there were different types of guns. Guns that couldn’t shoot as accurately or harm as easily.

In an interview with our principal Mr.Bailey and Ms. Leonard they explained how anytime students feel the need to exercise their rights, they should be allowed to do so. They shared that walking out to protest, at least for the Hillsboro School District, didn’t give us as students, any higher punishment then we would for skipping class. Hilhi participated in the “pit”, the area outside between the commons and main office. Many students held signs, and we had a moment of silence to mourn those who have been lost.

There were organized speakers who gave an inspiring speech about gun control and the safety of our schools. The security police placed in our schools to keep us safe, hit their targets 18% of the time. So why should we be able to handle ar-15s, when the people who are trained, can’t even consistently hit the target. If people can’t legally purchase cigarettes and alcohol until they are 21, because their brains aren’t fully developed and can’t make good decisions. Then what makes the government think that we should be able to make “good” decisions about guns at the age of 18?

The walk-out’s purpose was to bring awareness to gun violence in schools, and the one-month anniversary for the shooting in florida to honor the victims. Over 100 students at Hilhi participated, and the principal, and other adults were present to supervise the students.