Sophomore Melana Quarles stood out and stood up in the crowd of students to celebrate the lives lost in the Parkland, Florida shooting one month ago. In a neon green shirt that said “End Gun Violence” on the front and names of the victims on the back, Quarles chose to speak out about the protest.

“Peace is worth protesting for,” Quarles said.

On Wednesday, approximately 50 students got up from their Academic Intervention classes at 10 a.m. and walked outside the front of the school to participate in a peaceful protest against gun violence as part of the national student walkout.

Students first gathered in the cafeteria to organize themselves, then chose to move the protest outside where they stayed silent for 17 minutes in honor of those who lost their lives in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Liberty’s administration did their best to allow students to share their thoughts and exercise their First Amendment right.

Students thanked the administration for their support and cooperation.

“It’s good to know the school accepts the change and embraces the student body’s ideals to step forward,” junior Albert Edney said. “We’re just doing our thing, and doing what Liberty does.”

The administration accommodated their students by rearranging Wednesday’s schedule.

During the protest, students were respectful, held their heads down and remained silent for the duration of the protest. Quarles did her best at the beginning of the protest to spread the message to students about the importance of the protest.

“Please be quiet, people lost their lives; this could be us tomorrow,” Quarles said.

Other students called on Congress to make a change, and demanded action from those in charge.

“Respect existence or expect resistance,” junior Chasteanne Salvosa said.

The names of the 14 Marjory Stoneman students and three school employees who were said aloud in remembrance of their lives. Liberty’s students stood in unity holding hands and celebrating the life around them during this emotional moment.

At 10:17, the bell rang and and announcement was made over the intercom to alert the students it was time to go back inside. Although the protest was over, this experience will remain in the minds and hearts of many.