Galvanized by a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that claimed the lives of 14 students and three staff members, students in southeastern Connecticut participated in a National School Walkout on March 14.

Teenagers in Norwich, New London, East Lyme, Ledyard, Montville, Stonington, Groton, Waterford and Lyme-Old Lyme were among the youths participating in events, from walkouts to a gymnasium "walk-in." They called for change, made their voices heard and honored the victims.

Norwich Free Academy students held photos of the victims and signs that said, "Arms are for Hugging" and "End School Violence Now." East Lyme High School students read aloud the victims' biographies and observed 17 seconds of silence for each victim. At New London High School, 17 red, heart-shaped balloons were released in honor of the victims. Many Montville High School students gathering in front of their school held signs that said "Enough is enough."

"School safety should be a right, not something we have to ask for," said Trinity Lennon, a senior at the time at Stonington High School.

"Don't ever say your voice doesn't matter," said Joshua Archibald, at the time a Montville High School senior and student government president.