Krop remembers 17 lost lives, advocates for change at vigil organized by PTSA
Naomi Litwak, Renaissance Yearbook
(From left to right) Junior Kevin Ordet, Assistant Principal Pamela Clappier, gifted counselor Elissa Rubinowitz, parent Udi Manor and sophomore Amaya Strange hold candles to honor the lives lost in the Douglas shooting. 17 candles were lit in total.
Students, teachers, parents and administrators joined together in the South Patio on Wednesday evening to honor the lost lives of the 17 victims of the Douglas High School shooting. The Parent Teacher Student Association organized the memorial service.
The vigil began with an introduction from PTSA President Tara Solomiany, who, on behalf of the parents and teachers, spoke about the priority of student safety and voting for legislators who will change current gun policies.
Later students also shared remarks, including junior Jordan Singer who spoke of her personal experience texting a friend who attends Douglas while the shooting occured. She also advocated for stronger gun policies and for a unified community.
“We’ve had enough of feeling unsafe at a place that is supposed to harbor and foster the minds of the future of this country.” Singer said. “We’ve had enough of this easy access to semi automatic assault weapons. We’ve had enough of this bloodshed. For God sakes I’m only 17.”
Senior and Student Government President Nathaniel Manor also spoke at the memorial as well as junior Tomer Shkori who spoke on behalf as of Krop’s School Board Representative Dr. Martin Karp.
“I am serving as an intern at the office of our school Board member Dr. Martin Karp.” Shkori said. “He wants you to know that the Superintendent, School Board police and District staff are working tirelessly to address issues pertaining to safety and security.”
The memorial closed with a performance of “Amazing Grace” by junior Norissa Thompson. Also, 17 teachers, students, parents and administrators lit 17 candles to commemorate each victim. The candle lightning concluded with two blessings. One was from Dr. Robert Russell, a pastor at Potential Church in Cooper City.The other was from Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun of Skylake Synagogue in North Miami Beach.
Once the memorial was over, some attendees made cards to send to the students and families in Parkland, FL, wrote on a large banner that will be sent to the school and signed a petition for stricter gun policies.
The event was very meaningful for students like senior Alexa Benezra, who felt especially touched by the remarks from her fellow students.
“The vigil gave me a sense of closure for the people I never got the chance to meet.” Benezra said. “I felt okay crying and letting my guard down because my friends were there for me and it was just so beautiful with the Priest and Rabbi saying their prayers as well.”
