Pinecrest Students Respond to National Walkout Day

Prior to our students' walk to the Chapel, they were addressed with this message:

 

"It’s been exactly one month since the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Thousands of students and teachers are planning to walk out of their classrooms today as part of the #Enough! National School Walkout to raise awareness about issues of school safety and the impact of gun violence. We are inviting everyone who would like to pray for the victims and their families to walk over to Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in silence and join Father Daren in prayer from 10-10:17am, in honor of the 17 victims from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting."

 

Once participating students assembled in the Chapel, Father Daren Weisbrod, High School Chaplain, read the names of the 17 students and faculty who were killed, and all prayed for each victim by name.

 

“It’s important that we respect our students’ concerns over acts of violence and the underlying issues linked to this violence," commented Fr. David Steffy. "Pinecrest Academy’s response to our students’ concerns and their desire to show solidarity with the victims was in line with the way we respond to every tragedy and event that calls for action. As a community, we always come together in unity and in prayer when a need arises," he continued.

 

“As soon as I heard about the Walkout to raise awareness about school violence, I thought to myself, ‘Who are we calling out to? Newspapers, media, politicians, or even just our peers? What is needed is a change of heart, of thinking, of feeling, of loving, and forgiving.’ Then it came to me: Let’s walk out, call out, and cry out to the only one who change hearts and minds and bring real healing and forgiveness,” shared Fr. Daren Weisbrod.  

 

“I was kneeling in the front of the Chapel, praying for our kids, and I heard the rustling of people quietly coming to pray. Once it was all quiet, we began praying for each victim by name, and their families. Once we finished, I was amazed to see that nearly 200 of our high school students were on their knees praying with me, and they stayed, quietly praying for a good while afterwards. God forgives, moves hearts, heals, inspires, and gives peace when we get quiet enough to hear him,” continued Fr. Daren.

The Forsyth County News published an article about how Forsyth County high schools, including Pinecrest, responded to National Walkout Day.  Read the article here.