On Friday April 20, students across the country walked out of class as part of a National School Walkout to demand action on gun reform. It also marked the 20th anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado.
Several students from San Lorenzo Valley High School participated in the national movement by gathering at the Felton Covered Bridge Park on Friday during regular school hours. Stations were set up for students to sign up to vote and make signs and posters. Activities included musical performances, a self-defense demonstration, student speakers. Information was also available for students to learn more about gun policy.
SLVHS junior Paris Shewfelt helped form the SLVHS Walkout Committee, a group run entirely by students, designed to assist in organizing the events on April 20.
“We believe in the power to make change,” Shewfelt said. “We believe that our voices need to be heard, and we refuse to live in fear any longer.”
Shewfelt spoke passionately about what she believes are key issues to address when it comes to gun reform, including creating legislation to outlaw bump stocks, create universal background checks, have longer wait periods for a person to purchase a gun and make gun owners take a shooting class.
According to Shewfelt the SLVHS Walkout Committee attempted to work with the high school and the school district to organize the event. But the district and the high school did not support the plan to leave campus during school hours.
A letter from the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Laurie Bruton was sent out to parents concerning the events on April 20. In the letter, it stated students who participated in the “Walk Out” would be asked to leave the campus and be issued an after-school detention.
However, according to Bruton, SLVHS did offer a “Student Speak Forum” during the lunch period on April 20. It was available for students who submitted a proposal to the SLVHS Counseling Office to speak on any topic including school violence, gun control or civil liberties.
“SLVUSD is proud of the work students have done to create a safe environment at school,” said Superintendent Bruton. “I attended the event (the one on campus approved by the district) and was impressed with the students’ passion, courage and ability to articulate their position. We look forward to more events like these on campus.”
But the consequence of detention for cutting class was not enough to deter the estimated 70 students who gathered at Felton Covered Bridge. Many of the students who participated in the SLV Walkout wore orange shirts, headbands or painted orange glitter on their arms and faces. Orange was selected as the color to signify the National Walkout Day because orange is what hunters wear to protect themselves from harm.
Rachel Clift, junior at SLVHS, worked closely with Shewfelt to help organize Friday’s events. Clift led students on a march around the neighboring streets, demanding gun reform.
“What can we do but to take action in this way,” Clift said. “We want to fight justice and have our voices heard.”
Shewfelt’s mother, Sabrina Shewfelt, was in attendance for the day’s activities. Of her daughter and the national movement, Sabrina Shewfelt said, “These are well educated kids who have been working incredibly hard and will continue to.”
The protest was peaceful, with students chanting about gun reform to passing cars and walking up and down the neighboring streets.
“Yes we are missing school, but it is about priorities,” said Julia Poetzinger, editor of The Claw, student newspaper for SLVHS. “What do you care about more, we care about kids being safe in school.”
