Seventeen lives were lost Feb. 14 as a result of a school shooting in Parkland, Fla. Exactly a month later, students decided to take a stand.

A voluntary walk-out took place of an estimated 200 to 300 students Mar. 14. Students who chose to walk out cited a variety of reasons.

Sophomores Elijah Dagner and Hezekiah Foster said that they were participating in honor of the victims of the shooting.

Senior Tim Sanner was participating to ensure a spotlight remained on the fallen in Parkland.

“I wouldn’t really say I’m protesting. I’d say it’s more of remembrance for the victims of the shooting. If nothing more, just to raise awareness for the situation,” Sanner said.

The walk-out began loudly with students talking, but emotions began to show as a moment of silence took over, and freshman Karley Cosgrove began reading the names of those lost in the shooting.

Before moving to North Carolina, Cosgrove lived only 30 minutes away from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Other students held signs and wore t-shirts with slogans. One sign read, “No more silence, end gun violence.”

The walk-out was meant to be a time of silence in honor of the victims. However, some students were heard to heckle after the reading of the names.

“I don’t give a f***,” was first yelled, and another student responded, “Me either.”

Sophomore Sam White commented on his only reason for participating.

“I just didn’t want to be in class,” White said.

Despite the retractors, junior Kayla Wrenn voiced that she participated to bring awareness to gun laws.

Wrenn said, “I was out there because if I can’t buy a Bud Light at 16 years old, I shouldn’t be able to buy a gun.”

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Check back for more details tomorrow.