Groups of local students chose to participate in the School Walkout organized nationally as a show for gun control, an end to school shootings, and to remember the lives lost in Florida in February. Starting at 10am on the east coast, students walked out of classrooms and stayed outside for 17 minutes – one minute for each of the individuals killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School one month ago. Students across the U.S. continued with their demonstrations at 10am in each time zone. Prior to the 10am start time, Uintah School District shared with the community that while no organized walkouts were anticipated at their schools, they did support any students who may participate, supervision would be provided, and that students would be required to abide by school rules. The District also noted that while they do not oppose “walking out” as a form of peaceful demonstration, they would encourage students instead to “walk in” and engage in healthy conversations and debate. According to Uintah School District Superintendent Mark Dockins, the District had about 40 students total participate. The Duchesne County School District had minimally more students participate with one group of students at Roosevelt Junior High coordinating the effort with their principal. Students approached the principal on Tuesday, explains Student Services Director Scott Forsyth, and they asked if they could participate in the Walkout. The Principal helped them make a plan to hold their memorial at 8am before school started rather than at 10am for the 17 individuals killed last month. About 10 students chose to participate and they held a respectful 17 minutes of silence. Forsyth says a larger group of about 60 students participated with the Walkout at 10am at Union High School and there were also several students at Altamont and Duchesne High Schools. The principals and staff had been instructed to allow any students that wanted to participate to be allowed to. “We were not encouraging or discouraging it,” says Forsyth. “They simply stood outside for 17 minutes and then came back to class. No one tried to leave and all showed maturity and respect.”
