At Blair on Feb. 26, there was a town hall regarding the shooting in Parkland. Hundreds of Montgomery County students gathered in the auditorium while the Parkland representative Ted Deutch and 10 Stoneman Douglas students spoke about their traumatic experience, as well as how we should take action regarding this important issue.
The town hall opened as the Blair musical group performed “Shine”, a powerful song written by the Stoneman Douglas students. The song expresses these students strong belief that they are not too young to make a change in our world. “When I first watched the Stoneman Douglas students sing this song on TV I instantly became inspired since the lyrics are so powerful. I think at the town hall the Blair students did a great job performing it,” sophomore Danielle Klein said.
As the Stoneman Douglas students arrived into the auditorium, the audience instantly stood up and applauded them for a long period of time. The students later explained that they all felt extremely emotional during this applause. They view themselves as ordinary students so having hundreds of fellow students cheer for them was emotional and striking.
Deutch led a moment of silence for the 17 students who lost their lives, then introduced the present Stoneman Douglas students to the crowd. The students expressed what an amazing leader and role model he has been to them throughout this whole tragedy. “My mom is good friends with Ted Deutch’s wife, so when I heard about the shooting in Parkland I instantly contacted him. He told me about the town hall at Blair and reserved my mom and I 20 tickets, which was so kind. I really admire him. He has truly handled everything so well,” sophomore Julia Bogart said.
The students took full control of the rest of the town hall. They expressed that there is no such thing as being “too young” to make a change. By all students taking action no matter the age they could make a difference in our country and the world. The students feel sick and tired of people telling them they are in their “thoughts and prayers,” that phrase has been repeated after every tragedy and does not help any aspect of the situation.
Instead, they strongly encouraged everyone to go to the march on March 24 in order to help fight for stricter gun control laws. The town hall came to a close as questions came from the crowd, and then at the end the audience had the opportunity to meet the students and talk to them on a personal level. “I’m so glad I went to the town hall. By hearing the students speak, I have become extremely inspired and am hoping that change will be made,” sophomore Julia Bogart said.
Jordyn Taylor
Features Editor
