Witness by Jamy Brice Hyde M.Ed.

Today I observed and experienced something as an educator that was simply extraordinary.

On the Anniversary of the murders of 17 people at MSD High School my high school did something I never thought possible. A group of students were determined to stand with the Students in Parkland they wanted to to create a fitting tribute to those who tragically lost their lives. This group of young people met with our Principal with the intent of organizing a Walkout. Our principal being quite the extraordinary educator herself, wanted to provide our students with a platform to be heard and safe place to learn and grow as people who are civically engaged. SHe provided the students a conference room where they met often trying to figure out the best way to bring attention to those who left us too soon on February 14th 2018. After a month of planning the students created their plan. They would read biographies and create a slideshow of pictures honoring those lost at MSDHS after each biography they would hold a moment of silence. They would do this for each of the 17 victims.

These students expected their classmates to walk out or go to their homerooms as that was the alternative location for students who chose not to participate.

What happened was extraordinary.

Almost the ENTIRE student body, yes over 1000 high school students showed up to the auditorium, they sat down and listened to their classmates. There they were ... 1000 teenagers for almost 30 minutes…. They sat there.. they were so quiet you could hear the seats squeak and some sniffles here or there. Never ever in my 18 years have I witnessed students so engaged so attentive so so so so silent. That was the most extraordinarily loud silence I have ever experienced. It was so loud, that silence was; that it changed kids today, “ thank you” “have a good day” “can i help you with that” “ hey we all care about each other” “ Ya know what was different today Mrs. Brice-Hyde? The kids finally felt like the adults were actually listening to us.”

Then the end of the day announcements came, our principal said “I am so proud of all of you, and I want you to know that we love you, all of you we love each and every one of you”

That last sentence there... the last thing the principal said to our students today….. that is what public education is all about.