By Danielle Carr, ’18

After the devastating attack on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, it was immediately evident that this one felt different. It has been 19 years since Columbine, and finally the students have begun to advocate for themselves, realizing that without constant pressure, pressure no adult seemed to provide, Congress would never even approach gun control legislation. Thanks to social media and the collective experience of growing up in fear of school shootings, an organized, national movement has begun to develop – one that Cary Academy students, who while by no means required to, will be welcome to participate in. As a part of the National High School Student Walkout movement, on March 14th students across Wake County will wear orange, and at 10 am there will be a 17 minute walkout to commemorate the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. CA is also providing options detailed in Mrs. Clarkson’s weekly email, so everyone will be able to remember the victims and participate in their own way.  To learn more, click HERE, a link to a petition for Wake Country Schools to affirm their participation.  Additionally, on April 20th, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, there will be a walkout at 10 am and a rally to follow; more details will come in the next 2 months. This walkout is supposed to last all day, cutting the school day short. By speaking to politicians, organizing marches, and refusing to back down, the tremendous courage that the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have shown has inspired a movement – and one with promise of change.