ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A group of Pinellas County students plan to honor the lives lost one year ago at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Thursday night with a candlelight vigil in St. Petersburg.
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Since the horrific events in Parkland last year, “We the Students,” a group of about thirty students from across the county, have been very vocal and active in their support of safer schools and stricter gun laws.
"It means a lot to me to know that I’m able, that I have the right to be able to go out there and do things like that," said group member Madison Vogel, a senior at Osceola Fundamental High School.
Among other things, the students organized and participated in the local "March for Our Lives" event in St. Petersburg last March.
"We have held voter registration events in District 12 & 13, a part of the "March for Our Lives: Road to Change" Events and also we have held a die-in at Marco Rubio’s office in Tampa," Vogel explained.
As Parkland marks one year later, We the Students will hold a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. February 14 at Williams Park in St. Petersburg to remember the victims.
"It is strictly for people to be able to pay their respects and honor the lives lost in Parkland and just gun violence this entire year," said Vogel.
Looking back at the tragedy gives group members the motivation to move forward with their mission.
"To make sure that we’re keeping this community specifically involved in registering to vote and keeping the youth aware of what’s going on politically and just being involved," said Vogel.