NORTHFIELD — Around 100 students at Pioneer Valley Regional School held a silent walkout Tuesday morning in remembrance of the lives lost resulting from the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Organized by representatives of the school’s junior class, those involved stressed that the demonstration was not a political protest, but rather an act of remembrance and acknowledgment. Students, some carrying signs, were joined by staff and a police presence as they stood peacefully along the bus loop starting at 11:43, the time of the shooting, and remained for 21 minutes, each minute representing one of the lives lost.
Organizer Alexis Pratt, a junior, said students felt called to action when a teacher who was disturbed by the incident expressed a loss for direction to his class.
“He read about the students and he was like, ‘Guys, what are we going to do?’” Pratt recalled.
In collaboration with Student Council President Cooper Bullock and vice presidential candidate Caroline Ring, the Class of 2024 scheduled its walkout. The staff and administrators, Pratt said, were very supportive, as well as the general student body, which embraced the notion that the occasion would not be politically divisive.
“For me, it was about remembering these kids who passed and teachers,” Ring said. “As important as it is to address more political concerns, we wanted to do something anyone could stand for.”
“We know that change is necessary,” Bullock said, “but this is more about the lives that were lost.”
Pratt, who exited the school building later than most of her peers, said she was astounded by the sight of so many lined up on the sidewalk. She said the Uvalde tragedy resonated with Pioneer’s community.
“It comes from a place of empathy because we’re students seeing lives end like this,” Pratt said.
Aside from showing “strength in numbers” through the walkout, as described by Pratt, the students expressed intentions to take action in response to the school shooting. Pratt called upon the community to “start with Town Hall” and communicate with local politicians, while Bullock, a member of Students Demand Action, said he has considered starting a local chapter of the anti-gun violence organization.
“Somebody has to control something,” Pratt said. “It shouldn’t be easy to cause violence.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.