Walk in, not out: Sanderson students host NC forum to discuss school shootings

On Tuesday, students from Sanderson High School will lead a forum on school safety to bring attention to the issue of school shootings.

Posted 4:55 p.m. May 11, 2018 — Updated 6:08 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

Candace Sweat

, WRAL reporter & Hannah Webster, WRAL.com editor

RALEIGH, N.C. — On Tuesday, students from Sanderson High School led a forum on school safety to bring attention to the issue of school shootings.

The forum came after students organized a walkout on March 14 and then realized they needed to do more.

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Sanderson hosted state senators, school board members, police and school safety officers, mental health professionals and students to brainstorm about gun violence, gun rights, mental health and overall school safety.

The event, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Sanderson High School, 5500 Dixon Drive in Raleigh, was open to the public and free to attend.

Notable moments:

8:10 p.m.: "Are we waiting until it is someone we love to make changes?" student organizer Greear Webb said. "Tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the next, we have work to do and a country to change."

8 p.m.: Sanderson High School students thank the panelists and the crowd with closing statements.

"Why is America the only country where this happens? Why are children afraid to go to school? Why are we letting this happen?" student organizer Maggie Duffy said. "We are only 22 weeks in 2018 and there have been 28 schools shootings," she said. "The fact of the matter is something needs to be done. Children are dying."

7:45 p.m.: Panelists discuss "common sense gun laws" that should be considered in the North Carolina General Assembly.

7:35 p.m.: A representative reads a letter from Rep. David Price, D-District 4.

7:30 p.m.: A representative reads a letter from Gov. Roy Cooper. He thanks students for organizing Tuesday evening's event.

"Although thoughts and prayers are important, they are certainly not enough," Cooper said. "We need to close the health coverage gap in North Carolina by expanding Medicaid. This would give people access mental health care, so that more people do not slip through the cracks."

7:15 p.m.: Social media is discussed as a tool and challenge during school emergency situations.

7:10 p.m.: Panelists discuss education funding and the need for more school nurses, psychologists and counselors in North Carolina schools.

7:05 p.m.: "You know what is going on your schools, students," panelist John Alexander said. "You report that to the appropriate authorities." The crowd responds with boos.

7 p.m.: "Many factors can contribute to something like this happening," Virginia Rodillas said. "I don't think we have a clear factor as to why, but we can identify risk factors."

6:50 p.m.: Seven panelists are introduced on the stage.

6:45 p.m.: "Arming teachers is not a proposition I am willing to consider," one speaker said.

6:30 p.m: Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane addresses the crowd.

"We spend so much time educating childrens' minds that we don't spend enough time educating their hearts," she said. "I hope we can include that in our discussion tonight."

The students say they want solutions that go beyond political partisanship.

They've already started the conversation on social media.

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Twitter: @NCtownhall

Organizer Greear Webb and other students met to mold the program under the leadership of Principal Dr. Greg Decker. They were careful about word choice, acknowledging how divisive the gun debate has become.