PARKLAND, Fla. — This Valentine's Day has been full of solemn ceremonies, reflection, and community service honoring the 17 people who lost their lives when a gunman stormed into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School one year ago.

Remembrances were planned across the state, including moments of silence at many public schools. A statewide moment of silence was held Thursday afternoon.

Families of the 14 students and three Stoneman Douglas staff members said they would largely mourn in private.

"For me, I’ve used my grief and tried to channel it into my activism and use my resiliency to try to create change and use my voice as my power to make that change," said Lori Alhadeff, the mother of 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, who was killed at Parkland. "(I) use my voice now as a school board member to really try to change minds to make our schools safer."

Students attending Parkland on Thursday were dismissed around lunchtime so they could participate in service projects for children or first-responders. Mental health counseling and therapy dogs were also provided for them. 

Security was heightened at Stoneman Douglas and throughout the Broward County school district.

Pulse survivors, first responders, and community members came together at Orlando's Pulse interim memorial to show support for Parkland in a small remembrance ceremony.  

“I said I have to be here. There is no way I cannot be here at all," said India Godman. The Pulse survivor did not feel well Thursday morning but still pulled herself out of bed to come and show her support. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset at all local and state buildings. In a gubernatorial proclamation declaring Thursday "Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day," DeSantis asked for a statewide moment of silence at 3 p.m.

Others, like Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, also took the time to reflect on the day.

In Orlando, the names of the Parkland shooting victims were read at the Pulse interim memorial, where 49 people lost their lives in June 2016. Central Florida elected officials and community leaders, including Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Sheriff John Mina, were among those at the memorial for the tribute.

At UCF on Thursday evening, students gathered for a candlelight vigil, and some UCF students who survived the Parkland attack spoke at the event. More than 400 former MSD students are currently enrolled at UCF.

Inside the atrium of the Student Union, pictures of the victims and flowers are on display to remember them.

"Tonight will be about celebrating the lives of the victims of the shooting of Stoneman Douglas," MSD alumnus Trevor Wild said.

Another candlelight vigil was held in St. Petersburg.

Thursday's remembrances come as U.S. House lawmakers consider the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which aims to reinforce current laws requiring background checks on firearms sales. The act has support from both sides of the aisle, and 18 Florida representatives have cosponsored it.

Alexis Grogan, a Stoneman Douglas High junior, said she would spend the day picking up beach trash, dedicating her work to those who died.

"I survived something and I don't want to waste what I call a second chance at life, because those who have passed don't get that," she said. "We have to make a difference for them."

Information from the Associated Press and Spectrum News reporter Matt Fernandez contributed to this report.