Port Clinton students walk out to support school shooting victims

PORT CLINTON — A number of local students walked out of class Wednesday to show their support for victims of last week's shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.Many students from Ohio, Maryland, Florida, Illinois and California walked out of school, the Associated Press reported. Port Clinton students took part in a similar show of support.Port Clinton superintendent Patrick Adkins said almost 300 students in the middle and high schools participated in the demonstration, which lasted 17 minutes in respect of the shooting's 17 victims. A couple of students spoke to a high school administrator about the idea earlier this week.This was the first time an event like this occurred in the school district, he said."We were aware of it and we wouldn't get in the way of (students)," Adkins said. "We thought it was a great opportunity of showing respect to those who died in the Florida shooting."Adkins said administrators saw social media posts of the walk-outs potentially being a national movement among students and noted this was a good experience for them."I think it provides an opportunity for them to share their concern and respect for fellow students," Adkins said. "They can be active on social media and other areas and they could do this in a positive manner. We're all concerned with school violence. This was a great way to talk about it to our students and not hide from it."Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodPort Clinton students stand in front of the Port Clinton High School during a planned walk-out for 17 minutes Wednesday to honor the 17 students who died in last week's school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Fla.