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Hundreds of Geneva High School Students Organize to Honor Victims in Florida, Promote Safe Schools
Student-led event at Geneva High SchoolApproximately 400-500 Geneva High School students led an on-campus event from 10:05-10:22 a.m. the morning of March 14 that was twofold: to honor the 17 victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and to promote safe schools.

The student-led event in front of the cafeteria, which was coordinated in advance and shared with administration, included 17 seconds of silence, and several student speeches representing many of the voices of the group present. Geneva High School is a recognized Democracy School and supports its students in their pursuit of civic engagement and civic learning. At one point, students were urged by one speaker to register to vote so their voices could all be heard.

In an email to parents and guardians earlier this week, GHS Principal Tom Rogers outlined the students’ intentions as they were explained to his staff, and shared several steps the administration was taking in anticipation of March 14 with regard to safety and security. One of those steps included partnering with Geneva Police Department to increase law enforcement presence during the event, and increased staff presence around the designated location. Rogers also informed parents that the bell schedule would be adjusted to allow for 17 minutes of a student-led event to minimize the impact on the school day, and students who chose not to participate would be supervised in the cafeteria during that time. 

Students returned to class following the event.