Written by Leo Woods|
Photos by Leo Woods|

Students at Morgan have long been involved in violence prevention. Following the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, Florida) in February of this year, a ceremony was held during X-Block on March 14th to remember the lives lost at Parkland and to allow students to state their opinions on violence. Students were also interviewed for the Pawprint regarding gun violence. After the assembly, a group of students attended the March for Our Lives in Guilford on March 24th in order to raise awareness for gun violence in America.

This school year Program Coordinator at Clinton Human Services Jill Paglino formed a group of students called S.A.V.E., or Students Against Violence Everywhere. S.A.V.E. is a national organization that was formed after the death of a 17-year-old North Carolinian high schooler named Alex Orange. Students at his high school formed S.A.V.E. in memory of Alex and pledged to end gun violence.

In 2017, SAVE combined efforts with the group Sandy Hook Promise, that was formed after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December of 2014. Together they have begun Start With Hello Week, a week dedicated to encouraging inclusion at schools as well as to assist students who exhibit signs of social isolation.

According to Mrs. Paglino, S.A.V.E was brought to Morgan because “We all agree that violence in schools is unacceptable, and Sandy Hook Promise has developed programs for students to be able to feel less powerless in working to overcome the issue of violence in schools.”

At Morgan, S.A.V.E. brings together many clubs, including Peer Advocates, REACT, GSA, and Kindness Club. The group has many activities planned throughout the year, such as Start With Hello, the Say Something program, as well as hosting speakers from Sandy Hook Promise at Morgan in November.

S.A.V.E. has been planning Morgan’s Start With Hello Week since this summer. The week will take place from October 9th to October 12th. There will be an assembly during Advisory on the 9th that will explain the events of the week.