At least 200 students from Montezuma-Cortez High School walked out of class on Wednesday to show their support for school safety and remember victims of recent school shootings. About half of them also participated in a “lie-in” in memory of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February and the two victims of the Aztec High School shootings in December.
Students observed fifteen seconds of silence for each person killed. Social studies and psychology teacher Chelsea Rodriguez told the crowd that regardless of people’s political beliefs, everyone can agree that school needs to be a safe place.
The event was largely organized by members of Rodriguez’s junior and senior psychology class. It was part of a nationwide effort, and the district allowed students participate in order to encourage teaching and learning.
As they returned to class, students were encouraged to make the school a better place by saying hi to 17 new people, or picking up 17 pieces of trash, or taking part in 17 acts of kindness.
