Over 1,000 Tomcats participate in March 14 demonstrationOver 1,000 Tomcats participate in March 14 demonstration

East Aurora High School student leaders worked in collaboration with building administrators in creating a plan to show their support for the the students of Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida.

March 14th, one month from the date of the mass shooting in which 17 people were killed at the Florida high school, became a national day of organized school walkouts in support of that community.  Instead of “walking out,” East high students chose to gather in the new main entrance Atrium. In the commons area, students were provided an opportunity to sign letters to be mailed to area legislators in support of stronger school safety measures and efforts to minimize gun violence.  The letters were collected and and later mailed out accordingly.  Students collected in the Atrium at 10 a.m. Once gathered a picture was taken to demonstrate the students’ solidarity with the Stoneman Douglas community.   Seventeen minutes later, to commemorate the 17 lives lost at Stoneman Douglas, students were excused back to their 3rd period classes.  According to Principal Marina Kosak, the priority in organizing this event was to provide “a safe opportunity in a meaningful way to allow our students’ voices to be heard.” 

After the fact, Kosak described the event as “amazing” and added “I couldn’t be more proud.”