Students at Southmoreland High School Wednesday joined thousands of students across the nation to protest school violence in a show of support for the shooting victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School rampage that left 17 students dead in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14.

The protest was an unprecedented show of support for school shooting victims as students and teachers left classes to call attention to the problem of school violence.

Locally, Southmoreland students also recognized the 20 students at nearby Franklin Regional High School who were stabbed in a rampage four years ago.

Hundreds of Southmoreland High School students filed into the commons at 10 a.m. on March 14 following an announcement presented by senior Allison Huffman.

Students were given a roll of tape that they were to write their reason for their participation in the walk-in and place the piece of tape over their mouth.

Participants then stood in silence for 17 minutes to commemorate the 17 lives lost in the Parkland, Florida shooting that occurred exactly one month prior.

After the 17 minutes passed, students removed their tape and placed it on a large banner that hangs from the commons that reads “WALK OUT FOR A REASON.”

“I thought it went excellent… it was a very moving tribute to the victims of shootings and a stance on wanting to seek solutions for violence in schools,” said principal Mr. Daniel Krofcheck, “The silence can be deafening.”

“I think it went extremely well.” said sophomore Olivia Robertucci, “It was so surreal to see all of our planning and dedication come to fruition.”