BIDDEFORD — Tuesday’s nor’easter and the subsequent cancellation of school on Wednesday only served to make students more determined to pay tribute to the victims of the Parkland school shooting and to protest escalating gun violence in schools nationwide during a walkout event Thursday morning.

At precisely 10 a.m., more than 500 Biddeford High School students gathered outside near the school’s Victory Bell, which was rung 17 times as each of the names was read of the 17 people who died Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. 

School administrators say they were not surprised when student leaders in Biddeford wanted to do something different to coincide with the “Enough National School Walkout” on March 14.

“Our job is to provide opportunities to kids,” said Biddeford Schools Superintendent Jeremy Ray. “With some guidance and support, they do amazing things.”

During interviews given since the Parkland shooting, national organizers have said that the intention behind the walkout effort was to “demand Congress pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence in our schools.”

But Biddeford students said they were not as concerned about the political nature of gun control as they were about remembrance of victims and for school safety. 

“Thousands of students will kind of mindlessly walk out of class and enjoy a few minutes outside,” said BHS junior Madison Arnold. “But to what end? We wanted to be constructive, to remember the lives of the students and faculty who were lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.”

Ray said student leaders at Biddeford High and Biddeford Middle School sat down with school administrators while planning events at the two schools to share their ideas about how to best engage students participating in the walkout.

“In addition to supporting our students’ First Amendment rights, our primary interest was minimizing disruption to the school day and ensuring their safety,” Ray said. “The School Committee and I both commend our student leaders who worked with their principals to develop school-sanctioned activities that focused on remembrance of the victims, improved school culture, an emphasis on safety, and in making the time a thoughtful and productive exercise of civic engagement and human compassion, regardless of anyone’s politics.”

The high school’s ceremony of remembrance following the Victory Bell gathering included a march around the school grounds and then they listened to an appeal from Arnold calling for an end to senseless gun violence in schools.  

BHS students also conducted several “engagement labs” where students had the opportunity to contact their state or federal legislators to share their opinions, whatever they may be, about the issues advanced by the national walkout’s organizers.

At Biddeford Middle School, students chose to hold an optional quiet ceremony during “Tiger Time,” a flexible period in the school’s regular schedule.

Students who felt moved crafted messages of hope and remembrance written on bright orange ribbons were pinned on their mainstage curtain in the school’s Performing Arts Center.

“Orange is certainly representative of our schools,” said BMS Principal Scott Descoteaux. “But the inspiration for the ribbons came from our student body. They learned of the #orangeribbonsforJaime campaign, in which dancers across the country were wearing orange pins to honor the memory of one of the 14-year old victims, Jaime Guttenberg, and they were very moved. They felt this was a thoughtful way to show support to the grieving families.”

Members of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club applauded the students’ efforts to be different and thoughtful by donating orange ribbons for the event.

“It is important for students to feel their voice is heard in our community, that is where leadership starts and thrives,” said Jackson Brown, Biddeford Saco Rotary Club president. “This senseless tragedy is unsettling for our entire community, and we encourage their empathy for the victims and their passion around school safety.”

Students at both schools were also encouraged to play an active role of improving school culture by doing 17 acts that make a difference, whether it is saying a kind word to 17 new people they may not otherwise speak to or smile at 17 people. They participated in the #whatsyour17 to make a difference.

Principal Jeremie Sirois said BHS students were respected if they chose not to participate in any expression during the day’s planned activities.

School administrators remained supportive by working closely with local law enforcement to ensure that students remained safe during the student-led activities.

“I’m proud of our faculty and student body today,” said Ray. “The students showcased their leadership skills by choosing a thoughtful remembrance and positive culture change and the faculty supported their efforts.”

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com