The national school walkout is a way to honor those lost in the school shooting in February at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida.
At 10 o’clock on March 14, Mishawaka High School (MHS) participated in the walkout. Principal Jerome Calderone supported the walk out and encouraged the student council to use the time in a positive way. During the walkout, the student council clarified the purpose of the walkout, not as a call to action, but as a way to grieve and unify the school. The walkout started with the reading of the names of those lost in the shooting. A moment of silence followed. Finally, a meet and greet was held in an effort to encourage students to meet 17 new people.
MHS senior and president of the student council Cassidy Challberg said, “our school as a whole feels very divided as of now and having everybody out here talking to each other is helping people not feel isolated or alone in any way.These little gestures helped us cope and come together." Assistant Principal Dave Troyer said, “I thought it went really well. We did a good job respecting those who lost lives and it was a good time to come together."