After Friday's lockdown, West Johnston High School honors Parkland victims without walking out

At West Johnston High School, students and faculty have embraced a different way to honor the lives lost.

“For the first 15 minutes we didn't know what was going on. We thought it was an active shooter,” Senior Class President Nick Moston said.

There were no weapons and no one was injured, but students said it makes their need to honor the 17 victims in Parkland even stronger.

After such a turbulent day, the school does not want to create anxiety for students or teachers regarding safety or security. Instead of a walkout, students at West Johnston High will go into the hallways for 17 minutes of kindness and gratitude. They will write notes of support for students in Parkland.

“I think it unifies us as a school if we do something that provide kindness and gratitude,” Moston said. “I think it’s more productive to do something like this.”

Johnston County Schools Spokesperson Crystal Roberts said principals at each individual school will decide how to mark the walkout day, and all 46 schools in the district were expected to do something.

“Our principals know this is a teachable moment for our students,” Roberts said. “Our principals have set up chats with our students, conversations with counselors, pep rallies even, and opportunities to share their expressions of sympathy with their fellow students in Florida.”

Parents of Johnston County students said giving young people a voice is the right thing to do.

“I think it’s really great that the schools are allowing the students to vocalize their opinions and their feelings,” parent Joann Finazzo said.