Student Activism Lives at Vashon Island High School

This article was co-written by Whit Barnett

SHOUT. Students protest recent ICE activity. Students voice their opinions because they want to see change in the policies and the ways they act upon those policies. Photo courtesy of Jacob Henley.

Who says our generation doesn’t care? A clustered web of outstretched arms and signs poke out of the four way intersection on Vashon Highway SW. Passing cars either honk or remain silent, both warranting entirely different reactions from protesters. 

The bell marking the end of second period sent a buzz of excitement throughout Vashon Schools. Not only was banana bread being served for breakfast in the cafeteria, but the beginning of the protest had officially begun. VHS students were to march over to McMurry Middle School before making their way down SW Cemetery Road, Vashon Highway SW, and eventually the protest site. 

On Wednesday, February 11th, Vashon Island High School and McMurray Middle School students gathered at the four corners intersection in town to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

Many students were encouraged by fellow classmates to leave school in between classes, march to town, and scream their hearts out at ongoing traffic. 

The idea of getting up, making your voice heard, and contributing to a successful democracy was shared amongst many at VHS. 

 “I think protesting is so important!” sophomore Emmalyn Werner said. “It shows that the people of America are willing to speak up and have a voice. We won’t be…silenced by the people in power. Just because we aren’t the pedophiles that are running this country doesn’t mean we can’t be heard.”

The right to freely speak our opinion and protest whatever we deem worthy of protest shouldn’t be scoffed at.  Many take it for granted and forget the weight and importance of that privilege. Hopefully when we protest, we remind citizens of totalitarian regimes and dictatorships around the world that they deserve that right. Therein lies a fundamental importance of protesting. 

“It’s definitely not pointless. I mean, how effective it can be really depends on who’s leading it. Are there true believers that understand the issue inside and out and are capable of coming up with a unified message, or is there too much clutter around the message to make it less meaningful?” an anonymous staff member questioned.

Although students protest for different reasons from disappointment in the Trump administration to  ICE’s recent violence, the zealous young people who care about the world haven't. Speaking out is a tradition in America and it will continue to be passed through generations. Because the beauty of a democracy is the right to say, “No”. 

¨I came here today ‘cause I think we have the wrong policies, the wrong people are being removed, and the wrong people are being targeted,” Junior Ronan Reed said. 

Many people, teachers and students alike, feel that activism is important, and that it has been a prominent way to voice opinions and show the people in charge the need for change. The protest was loud, and high energy while at the same time, giving hope to people present.

“It felt strong and united, here are a bunch of different students who may not all be friends or even like one another that came together to fight a greater power…It was inspiring and should give us some hope for the future.” An anonymous student stated

For decades students have engaged in school walkouts. It is noticeable, disruptive, and turns heads. But most importantly, it shows that many students will sacrifice education to make a difference. 

“Another school is willing to give up their education to show that this is important and that it has infiltrated our community. It’s not going to stop if we sit there and do jack. We all have a voice, even if we’re a small island and I’m shocked by how many people showed up today!”, sophomore Star D’Artell said.

Protesters were at first tentative, awkward, and seeking motivation. However several students, like 8th grader Oli Colagrossi, sophomore Emmalyn Werner, and freshman Michelle Samson became conductors of the protest. They started chants, encouraged others to join in, and made sure they could be heard by anyone within a five mile radius.

“I am proud to be the child of an immigrant!” Oli Colagrossi bellowed on the megaphone. Michelle Samson recited our fourth amendment rights top to bottom. Emmalyn Werner’s voice will never quite recover from the amount of screaming done in a three hour time frame. The atmosphere changed from awkwardness, to confidence quickly. 

“I was feeling a lot of excitement, especially when they were throwing ice in the middle of the street…There was a rebellious air going around” Sophomore Blake Bennett explained. As the rebellion and confidence 

Students were adamant in their belief that activism and protesting was vital to a successful democracy. Suddenly taking responsibility for this country’s political and social issues is daunting. But step by step this generation is learning how.

“Even though it’s not affecting the government and legal decisions, protesting affects the issue on a smaller level. It’s affecting the people in the societies, the people who are susceptible to outside impacts, and the people that deserve to be protected. We’re letting people know in our societies and communities that they are not alone! That’s why we’re doing this,” Emmalyn Werner said.

By the end of the protest, forgotten signs, and shards of melting ice lay strewn about the intersection while students staggered in exhaustion. Cars, regardless of their political standing, drove over the shards, crushing them with satisfying force. This earned each passing car a smattering of applause from a tired audience. Shortly thereafter, students remembered the piles of homework they had due and packed it up. For some, this was their first protest, for some it wasn’t—for all; However, it was one to remember.

PROTEST. Students wave their signs and shout to protest against ICE. These students do their part to keep democracy alive in small communities like Vashon. Photo courtesy of Jacob Henley.