A national movement to end school shootings has reached the Island with a student-led walk out and moment of silence planned for Friday afternoon at the regional high school.

Mackenzie Condon, vice president of the junior class at the high school, and Owen Engler, class president, were both born in 2001, two years after the school shooting at Columbine high school that left 13 dead. Alongside usual high school activities like lacrosse, field hockey, school newspaper, and clubs, hearing about shootings like the recent one in Parkland, Fla. on the news has become a regular occurrence for them.

Owen found out about the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when his family turned on the TV last Wednesday while sharing Valentine chocolates. “The first thing that came to my head was, again? Another one?” he told the Gazette.

The students are used to thinking about the possibility of an intruder entering their school. They have two lockdown drills per year. They’re taught to remember the protocol: close and lock the door if you can’t safely escape, turn off the lights, make a barricade, stay quiet, grab objects to hurl at the shooter if he gets inside the classroom. They’re used to seeing an armed police officer in the halls.

Then, on Monday, the students saw videos of students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School speaking out about the shooting that resulted in the deaths of 17 of their peers and mentors. The gravity of what it would actually be like to be in that situation sank in.

Students plan to leave school on Friday at 1:45 p.m. and walk to the football field for a moment of silence.

Alison L. Mead

Students plan to leave school on Friday at 1:45 p.m. and walk to the football field for a moment of silence.

Alison L. Mead

“Seeing students your age speaking about that, and they’re crying, you suddenly have to put yourself in their shoes and think, that could be me,” Mackenzie said.

In one of the videos, Stoneman Douglas senior Emma Gonzalez reads a speech written on the back of notes from her AP Gov class.

“If all our government and president can do is send thoughts and prayers, then it’s time for victims to stand up and be the change we need to see,” she says as she wipes tears from her eyes.

Moved by her words, students around the country have organized demonstrations to call for gun reform and show support for victims. On March 14, students nationwide plan to walk out of class for 17 minutes to honor each of the victims in the Florida shooting. On March 24, young people will gather in Washington DC for the “March for Our Lives” to call on lawmakers to end mass shootings.

On the Island, the student council has decided to organize an earlier walk-out to show solidarity with the Stoneman Douglas students. On Friday afternoon at 1:45 p.m. those who want to participate will leave class and walk to the football field for a moment of silence. Students are invited to make signs with messages of support for the victims. They’ll take a group photo and share it on Twitter and other social media to show the students in Florida they stand with them.

The main focus of Friday’s walk-out will be creating a moment of solidarity and to take time to honor the victims before leaving for school break.

“It’s fully centered around support of the kids in Florida and their ability to speak and respect their right to be heard,” Owen said. The walk-out will honor victims of past school shootings too.

School principal Sara Dingledy is supportive of the effort, but says it’s entirely student-led. “I applaud their initiative,” she told the Gazette. “They approached me, and it felt like the right time and the right national moment. I’m really proud of them.”

Ms. Dingledy sent a message to parents following the shooting detailing the school’s plan for responding to crisis situations, and that school resource officer Jillian Sedlier is on site for safety. The school also works to ensure there is only one way to get into the building during the school day to keep tabs on who is coming and going.

Mackenzie and Owen say further action, such as participating in the national walk-out day, writing letters to state and national representatives and traveling to national demonstrations, will likely follow Friday’s walk-out.

“If [lawmakers] see a movement that’s unfolding across the nation of thousands of kids that are about voting age, they should keep in mind that people will hold them accountable,” Owen said.