April 2018

OPINION
UNSUNG
HEROES
by Madeline O’Mahoney
At Stoneman Douglas High School,
Valentine’s Day 2018 will never be
forgotten; however, neither will the many
heroes of that day. As a student, after
evacuating Douglas High School, I was
awestruck seeing the streets lined with
first responders: S.W.A.T., F.B.I., police,
countless medics, firemen, and many
more emergency personal. Since then,
the teaching and administrative staff
have been phenomenal, going above and
beyond in every way, working tirelessly
to ensure that we feel safe and prepared
enough to return to school and
begin healing.
Along with emergency personnel, the teachers should be
counted as first responders. Armed with love, they protected
us against the bullets of a gun. When we were scared,
the teachers stayed strong and competent. They stood in
doorways, ushering in student after student, resisting what
must have been strong impulses to protect themselves as any
other person would in the face of danger. I’ve been told that
to the teachers, we were their children. Not their students, but
their own flesh-and-blood.
While the teachers ushered us into the safety of their
classrooms, our coaches (several of whom work as campus
security during the day) ran directly toward the danger —
something they did without regard for their own safety. If
they paused even a second to consider the danger they
were throwing themselves into, I didn’t see it. They had no
weapons, no chance at a fair fight. However, that did not deter
them from running into the 1200 building. Their reaction was
instantaneous, all-in, and major league heroic.
After S.W.A.T. evacuated us from the buildings, students
poured into the streets. Some of us had been parted from our
cell phones when we were ordered to put our hands up and
flee the building, leaving us without any way to contact our
parents or get home.
What happened on Valentine’s Day is not something that is in
the job description of an educator. They don’t get paid enough
to have to worry about keeping 3,300 kids safe in the face of
immediate danger. Yet everyone, from teachers, to coaches, to
administrators, to bus drivers, to custodians, stepped up to the
plate, looked fear in the face, and with their selfless courage,
became our heroes.
Upon telling friends that I’m from Parkland, I have received
many looks of pity and apologies. What started as an almost
uncomfortable admittance has changed for me. Lately, I’ve
come to feel myself stand up a bit taller and declare that I
am indeed from that school, in that town. This is a wonderful
community that is filled with some of the most dedicated and
resilient people I have ever had the chance to meet. If you aren’t
proud to live in Parkland, you should be.
I am beyond proud to be an Eagle. It is
truly an honor to be surrounded by such
an amazing, loving, strong community.
Thank you, everyone at Marjory
Stoneman Douglas High School,
from your grateful students. You are
our heroes. P
26
APRIL 2018