Page 8 - Reedley Exponent 3-22-18 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A8 Thursday, March 22, 2018 RC Safari Days heads indoors
WALKOUT Continued from page A1
“Students were treated like they would be going off campus on any day,” he said. “There was no special treat- ment or punishment.”
Ahlin said Orozco came to teachers and administra- tors about a week before the planned walkout, asking to hold a remembrance on cam- pus. The school agreed to her request.
“At first. I was thinking about walking out,” Orozco said. “But then I thought about it more and I talked about to teachers. I figured it probably would be better to have more organization in what we did.”
About 200 students filled one side of the gym to observe moments of silence for each of the 17 shooting victims. Orozco and 16 classmates read short bios of each victim.
“Even though I didn’t walk out initially as I wanted to, I felt what I did was even bet- ter,” Orozco said.
Orozco said she admired the action of students in oth- er cities who went as far as breaking through a school gate to walk out.
“I really admire the cour- age that they had, and the drive that the youth has in my generation where we want to stop this gun violence,” she said. But she added that she felt many students — includ- ing some who walked off the school campus — didn’t par- ticipate for the right reason.
“The people who showed up for the memorial, they had that same drive and that same passion. But we did it in a qui- eter way.”
Ahlin said he was proud of Orozco taking leadership for the ceremony in the gym.
“She wanted to make sure she did that in a manner that kids were safe,” he said. “Lore- na did a good job. She accom- plished what she was after.”
Orozco remembered last year’s lockdown on the RHS campus because of reports of a gun brought on campus by a student. And the latest school shooting brought her to a point of wanting to take action.
“I wish I didn’t have to go through the day thinking ‘what would I do in that situation?’” she said. “All the worst case
80 students
participate
at OCHS
Staff Report
No Orange Cove High School students left the campus during the March 14 nationwide student walkout calling for the tightening of gun control laws.
Instead, about 80 students gathered in the high school quad area in the middle of campus. Principal Angel Durazo said the students formed a “unity circle” and took 17 minutes — one minute per victim — to recognize the 17 students and staff killed on Feb. 14 during a shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla.
Durazo said students bowed their heads in si- lence for each student. The brief ceremony took place during the school’s break period around 10 a.m.
No walkouts or spe- cific activities related to the protests took place at Immanuel High School, according to Ron Hudson, director of development.
On March 20, Reedley College hosted a health fair and comic-con as part of the first day of Safari Days. The annual three-day event concludes Thursday, March 22, with a Cesar Chavez Day Celebra- tion and car show. With rain in the forecast this week, officials planned to move many events indoors.
TOP: Reedley College student Karina Balomar, middle, asks a health coverage question of Maricela Rivera, right, of Health Care Options, as fellow student Anahi Perez looks on.
ABOVE: Student Rachel Casarez gets her blood pressure checked by Liliana Solache, medical assistant with United Health Centers.
RIGHT: Shivon Hess (right), a librarian with the college library, an- swers a question about cosplay while librarian Stephanie Doyle looks on during a comic-con cosplay workshop.
Photos by Jon Earnest / The Exponent
scenarios. I’m tired of having to do that. I don’t think anyone should have to do that.”
Orozco said that teachers and faculty came up to her af- ter the memorial and thanked her for organizing the event.
“I was just really grateful that Mr. Ahlin made this all possible and that it worked out really well,” she said.
Ahlin said that Reedley High and the Kings Canyon Uni- fied School District constantly takes steps to update security measures and keep students in- formed. He said the open com- munication between staff and students makes for a positive atmosphere on campus.
“Because of that com- munication, we share things and they share how they’re feeling,” he said. “We have a pulse about what’s going on at school. I feel our kids look out for one another.”
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