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LASAS STUDENTS REMEMBER

Approximately 70 LaSAS students joined hands for a 17-minute observance to honor the 17 victims of the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., as part of a nationwide nationwide “walk-out” on March 14. The event was held to remember the victims and support efforts to improve school safety. {Photo courtesy of LaSAS Facebook}

Several events held in Avoyelles to support school safety efforts

For 17 minutes on March 14, students at three Avoyelles Parish high schools were part of a nationwide “walkout” to honor the 17 victims of the Valentine’s Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and to support improvements in school safety.

Avoyelles High held a special event at its walking track at the assigned time, 10 a.m. this past Wednesday.

At LaSAS, about 70 students participated in the brief walkout. There were 10 walkers at Bunkie Magnet. Students at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Moreauville held a 17-minute Rosary recitation.

A person at Marksville High said they were not aware of the planned nationwide walkout and no students participated.

“All students were orderly, prayed together and returned on time,” APSD Superintendent Blaine Dauzat said.

He said the AHS students walked around the track, some carrying American flags.

There were no events at the elementary schools, Dauzat said.

“We do not endorse any walkout which causes the loss of instructional time, but we do support our students' right to stand up for something as important as school safety,” Dauzat continued. “We support any and all measures taken to support school safety and security.”

AHS Principal Mike Rachal spoke at the March 14 event.

“One month ago, a tragedy occurred at a Florida high school that revealed that better school safety is desperately needed on all school campuses,” Rachal said. “Luckily, recent events in this area have not led to a real tragedy, but that does not mean that we are somehow immune to violence.”

Rachal was referring to recent threats of violence which have resulted in the arrests of 11 students.

He called the Wednesday walk a show of “solidarity with the victims of school violence” and to add Avoyelles’ voice to those across the nation in saying “Enough is Enough.” 

“While we do so, please pray that this type of event never happens anywhere again, and certainly not on this campus.”

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