On Friday, April 20th, over a dozen McClatchy students and staff came together to plant a sunset maple tree in the front of the school as an act of service to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.
Though many students across the nation participated in a walkout to demand stricter gun control laws, McClatchy’s ASB felt that planting a memorial tree was more fitting.
“Really what the people of Columbine wanted was more of a day of service,” said ASB President Daisy Lewis (‘19). “So in response to that, we decided to hold a tree-planting ceremony.”
Since 2000, the Columbine community has organized an annual day of service on the anniversary of the shooting in which they volunteer with community organizations.
“This is our contribution to the day of service,” said McClatchy junior Maya Steinhart.
Attached to the tree was a tag with a note written by students.
“In remembrance of the lives lost in the Columbine High School shooting 19 years ago. Today, we plant this tree for change and to honor the lost lives of students and teachers,” read the note.
“We know that this little tag is not permanent, but we know why this tree is here,” said Steinhart.
Lewis emphasized that the tree-planting symbolized a growing number of similar actions taking place across the country.
“We’re willing to do more and do good for our community,” said Lewis. “It’s showing that our generation is people that take action. We’re ready to make change and we want to do it at our own school.”