Hills Community to Show Support for Florida Shooting Victims

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By Maggie Beams and Alexa DiFiore

In the wake of the Valentine’s Day massacre of 17 in a Florida high school, Wayne Hills students will assemble on the football field on Tuesday, Feb. 27 in a show of support.

“Students and teachers will gather in the center of the field to form a heart that will be photographed from above,” said Sam Marron, senior who is involved in the planning of the event.  Administrators plan to conduct a routine evacuation drill.  Students will follow the procedure by exiting the building and heading toward the football field.  The picture will be sent to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Parkland, Florida in support of the victims.

On Feb. 14, the school was the scene of a bloody shooting that left 17 dead including students, administrators and faculty. the 18-year old shooter, a former student at the school, has confessed to wielding an AR-15 to commit the crimes.

The event has sparked outrage across the country, particularly among students who have demonstrated both on a state and federal level and seek changes in gun laws.  The Ar-15 used in the commission of the crime is considered a semi-automatic firearm.

Hills students will wear the colors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school, maroon, gray, and white as they execute a normal evacuation drill and pose for the photo.

“We wanted the students to know that we grieve with them for their loss,” Marron added.

Students had mixed reactions about the upcoming event, “It is a great idea for our school to be apart of but we should of had more time to expand on the idea,” Junior Suha Cho stated.

“I think this is a great idea that we are showing support to a school in its time of need,” said English Teacher Brianna Koribanick.