Photos: Guilderland High School Walkout
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Two embrace outside of Guilderland High School on Wednesday morning as 17 balloons were released, one for each victim in the Parkland, Florida school shooting. School Road was closed from 9:45 until 10:19 a.m. so that no outsiders were on campus for the ceremony. Buses blocked the school entrances and there was a heavy police presence.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
“Never Again”: Guilderland High School students were solemn, some in tears, as 17 balloons were released to memorialize the victims of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. As each white balloon flew upward, blending with a cloudy sky, a moment of silence was observed, before the next victim was named and another balloon was set free.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
A balloon is released in memory of Jamie Guttenberg, a 14-year-old girl killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Two Guilderland students spoke during Wednesday’s ceremony. Justina Musa said, “These are all innocent lives ... This shouldn’t even happen … Our parents shouldn’t have to worry … The only way for this to stop is if we stand united.” Hannah Gallagher, through tears, named her cousin who was killed at Parkland.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Standing six rows deep, most of the students at Guilderland High School took part in Wednesday’s national walkout, exactly one month after the Valentine’s Day shooting in Parkland, Florida. As snow fell gently, they held signs that said, “17 victims: a football coach, an athletic director, and young, eager, and forward-looking students” and “We stand with Parkland.”