Mercy Schools Participate in National Walkout The Sisters of Mercy Critical Concerns prompted students and administrators at Mercy schools in the Sisters of Mercy New York Pennsylvania West Community to voluntarily participate in the National Walkout Against School Violence on March 14. The date marked a month since the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that claimed the lives of 14 students and three teachers. Here is how Mercy schools responded: Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Erie Mercyhurst Prep student members of the Critical Concerns Club, moderated by Matthew Ochalek, chair of the theology department, organized an opportunity for student participation in the walkout. The walkout, held to remember those who were killed in the Parkland shooting on Feb. 14 and to stand in solidarity in support of stricter gun-control laws, took place at 10 a.m. and lasted for 17 minutes, a number symbolic of the 17 lives lost. Student organizers spoke with the assembled group, reciting the names of those who lost their lives at Parkland; they invited people to add their names to petitions to be presented to government officials, reflected and prayed silently. The event culminated with the singing of the Our Father. While MPS students planned and led the walkout, the school did not register for the national event. Adults on faculty and staff joined the student participants and safety measures were in place. Principal Debbie Laughlin said: I am very proud of the students for giving voice to their concerns, and even more proud that planning for the event came about because of student involvement in our Mercy Critical Concerns Club. The event itself was a profound experience. A student announcement made prior to the walkout emphasized that, in no way, was participation in the walkout required. Members of our diverse community were invited to participate in the walkout, remain in class or spend the time in the chapel to share their prayer there. Student choice was divided among the three options. Sophomore Grace Knopfel stated: On March 14, 2018, hundreds of MPS students left the warmth of their classrooms to stand in silent prayer outdoors in the cold, winter air. We did so to honor the memory of the 17 students and teachers who so sadly died in Parkland at the hands of a gunman, and to bring attention to gun violence. We, along with students across the nation,
hoped our prayerful silence would somehow give a voice to those who no longer had one. I am proud to be part of a Mercy community that believes so strongly in non-violence and who encourages its members to live by the values it teaches. Submitted by Marcia Gensheimer, Public Relations/Alumni Director Mount Mercy Academy, Buffalo The event was entirely student-driven as four students stepped forward to the administration with a plan. At 10 a.m., students left their classrooms and congregated in the school gymnasium. Not every student participated. It was entirely voluntary. The leaders made an opening statement, then read the names of the 17 students and adults who were slain at Margory Stoneman Douglas High School. They then read the following statement from the Sisters of Mercy titled Sisters of Mercy Grieve Violence and Loss of Life When Will This Stop? Students stood in silence and reflection for 17 minutes. The gathering ended with a statement from another student who asked her classmates to watch their emails for a Google document to which they could address their wishes to their representatives in Congress encouraging them to vote for change. Principal Margaret Staszak stated: At Mount Mercy Academy, it is our goal to teach our students to use their voices to speak out against injustice and become empowered to positively influence the world. We proposed, rather than a walk-out, that our students, as suggested by the Sisters of Mercy at a recent convention in Atlanta, walk with the students of Parkland. We also encouraged parents to have a conversation with their daughters regarding each family s values and beliefs in regard to this national debate. Not having experiences of this type of student activism in many decades, this comes as new territory for teachers and school administrators. We asked parents for their patience, trust and faith in our mission to prepare their daughters and our students to become future leaders in an ever-changing, challenging world. Senior Audrey Welsby was one of those students who participated: The walkout I feel was a necessary movement showing the strength in numbers. We are stronger united. Submitted by Principal Margaret Staszak Notre Dame High School, Elmira Some students approached Principal Deborah Franklin, who encouraged them to plan appropriate activities and make sure it was a voluntary act of participation. It was decided that the event would be in the context of prayer and primarily one that would remember the victims of the recent school shooting. Students who did not want to participate would gather in the school cafeteria. In the event of inclement weather, the service would be in the school auditorium
At 10 a.m., students gathered in the auditorium. The service began with prayer, and those present had 17 minutes of silence in memory of the victims at a reflection on the incident and the effect it has had on the presenter. Also, a gong was sounded for each victim and a student placed a cross on a chair set up on the stage. The event closed with a prayer. Principal Deborah Franklin noted: It is important for Notre Dame High School, a Mercy School, to participate in this type of event to support and protect life as well as to show mercy, love and compassion for the victims of violence. There is a special need for young people to become involved in causes which will bring life and love to those in need. They need to see the value of becoming involved in challenging systems which do not protect life and be the effort that makes changes to these systems. It is a call to action for our youth. Matthew Smith, senior, said: It was nice Notre Dame students stand in prayer and reflection before white memorial crosses placed on the stage in the school auditorium. to see my fellow classmates showing their support to the students who lost their lives in the Florida school shooting. We all prayed and showed reverence because we all truly care. Each minute dedicated for each student gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for life and how precious it is. The number 17 looks much bigger when I saw the 17 empty chairs. This walkout is a symbol of hope, that when violence is at its height there will always be those who will care and fight back. Submitted by Principal Deborah Franklin Our Lady of Mercy High School for Young Women, Rochester Rochester Our Lady of Mercy administrators met with those from other Catholic schools in the area and developed a plan that ensured the safety of our students while allowing them to participate in solidarity with students across the nation. Our schools focus was to honor and remember those who died in the devastating school shooting in Parkland, Florida, to stand in solidarity with young people across the United States, to make our schools and work places safe from violence, and finally, to pray together as a community of faith. Senior Maddi Sherrill led the effort for high school students. Sister Patricia Bearisto, campus minister, worked with the students to finalize the prayer. At 10 a.m. on March 14, Mercy students led an all-school prayer over the public-address system and invited those who wished to come together to go to the large gym for a continued 17 minutes of remembrance of the victims. This was an optional event as students were in advisement period. Counselors and administrators were in the gym with the students in support of non-violence and honor the lives lost. Students were invited to wear maroon/red with uniform bottoms to represent the schools color. School administrators did not permit students to go outdoors for their safety and there was a police presence outside of the school.
Students created a flyer inviting students to the National March for Our Lives on March 24. The march is being held in Washington, D.C., and in cities across the country, including Rochester. The flyer, a portion of which is pictured below, invites students to consider the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concern of Non-Violence. Submitted by School Officials Campus School of Carlow University, Pittsburgh The sixth- seventh- and eighth-grade students at the Campus School of Carlow University participated in the March 14 th walkout against gun violence in schools. Initial interest came from students who wanted to walk out but were concerned about doing so safely and effectively. They approached faculty and administrators, and together they developed a flexible plan that allowed those who wished to participate in the walkout the opportunity to do so and provided an alternate space for those who did not wish to participate. As part of their regular studies in social studies class, students always learn about the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and peaceful protests. In seventh grade, students study the Second Amendment in detail and discuss the pros and cons and interpretations of the amendment. Seventh graders also research current events related to constitutional issues as part of their Bill of Rights Project, and many had already chosen the Second Amendment as their focus. Before the walkout, all students met as a large group and reviewed the idea of peaceful protest in history, the purpose of the march, and how to make effective protest signs. Students were able to explore suggested websites that provided background content about the Second Amendment
during Homeroom Gathering, and many pursued the topic independently at home. Many students also gave up recess time to plan and make signs. In religion class, the seventh grade planned the closing-ceremony prayer service. During the walkout, the middle school students met in the Kresge Multipurpose Room in the University Commons building. Six students chose to stay there for some reflection time, while the rest of the middle school body (65+) began their march. Accompanying them were their teachers, as well as school administrators, some university faculty and staff, and a few parents. Students walked in silence, to remember those who have died by gun violence and to reflect. They traveled down the University Drive to Pittsburgh s Fifth Avenue, and walked along to the Carlow University St. Agnes Center, where they paused in silence. They returned along the same route and returned to the Kresge at the University Commons for a candlelighting memorial prayer service. Carrying signs, students and teachers of The Campus School of Carlow University, Pittsburgh, walk in silence to protest gun violence in schools. Students will also be learning about other methods to affect change and participate in the political process. Tawana Cook, Campus School director, stated: It is important at all times to be aware of and sensitive to the myriad concerns of our students. In an attempt to meet them where they are both emotionally and developmentally we fully supported their participation in the national walkout. Eighth-grader Alexandria Westray, said: We wanted to show our support for legislation about gun control and legislation that can prevent any future incidents like this from ever happening. Every voice matters Alexandria and another student, Julia Stern, were interviewed on KDKA Radio that same afternoon. Here is a link to the archived radio interview. Several students were also interviewed by the university newspaper. See more photos on the school s Facebook page. Submitted by Karen McDowell, Social Studies Teacher, The Campus School of Carlow University