Marshall Co. Students Participate in Walkout

On Wednesday morning, Marshall County High School students participated in the National Student Walkout to honor those students and faculty killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre on February 14th in Parkland, Florida. The event also was to call attention to school safety and school violence.

Marshall County High School suffered a similar tragedy on Janurary 23rd when two students were killed and 18 injured in a shooting, allegedly by a fellow student. Patricia Greer, Marshall County High School Principal, had the following statement:

"Today students were given the opportunity to participate in the National Student Walkout that occurred at 10:00 AM. The students followed procedures in place to exit the classroom in an orderly manner while being supervised. It was a very respectful time. My role is to support our students, faculty and staff as we continue to walk down the path of healing. We will continue to walk this path together and stand united."

Bill Rowley, Principal of nearby Christian Fellowship School, also in Draffenville, was asked what he sees as their school's role in helping their neighbors at Marshall County High School to recover from this tragedy. He commented that Christian Fellowship School's relationship with all the Marshall County Schools, and especially with Marshall County School Superintendent Trent Lovett, is one of dear friends.

Rowley went on to say, "anytime something like that happens if it's in your school, or not, it's in our community, it touches you in places that just rarely ever get touched in life. It's a horrible, horrible thing and you feel for the families. Of course here at Christian Fellowship, we give them support by just being there, and the different things that the community has done to help those families."

He stated that one of the school's faculty members was actually a student at Heath High School during the time of the 1997 shooting. As a result of that experience, this teacher was able to provide special help and comfort to traumatized Marshall County High School students that ran across US Highway 68 to Christian Fellowship School, seeking safety from the carnage on January 23rd.

Rowley stressed that those at Christian Fellowship School have been praying for their friends in the Marshall County School System, and they encourage everyone to do so, as he believes this is what will help them most.