By: Breybinda Alvarez
ROGERS, Ark. – Benton County and Washington County school districts talked with students about participating in the nationwide walkout planned to protest gun violence.
On March 14, 2018, students nationwide plan to walk out of high schools at 10:00 a.m. for 17 minutes. Each minute represents each of the 17 lives lost during the Parkland, Florida high school shooting.
The walkout is scheduled one month after 17 people were killed at Stoneman Douglas High School.
Bentonville schools tweeted that participating Bentonville High School students will receive an unexcused absence and get detention if they choose to walk out.
Fayetteville High School students have two options. They can either participate in a school-sponsored ceremony at 10 a.m. where the school will read the students’ names who were killed in Florida. Students will also listen to four guest speakers.
The other option is student-led protest after the commemoration. Some FHS students attained a city permit to march to the Washington Courthouse at 10:20 a.m. If students choose to participate they must turn in the required documentation from their legal guardian Tuesday afternoon or it will be determined an unexcused absence.
“Dr. Lance Arbuckle challenged his students at Rogers New Technology School to do something different in order to let their voices be heard,” said assistant principal Karen Highfill.
Students Cesly Sims and Josh Garcia started the I Stand for Change Movement. Students will gather with posters, letter they wrote, and videos they made on March 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in the school gym.