By Zach Hester, Reporter

For some time now, we’ve heard of planned events across the country that on March 14, students would get up and walk out in reverence of the shootings earlier this year in Florida. The shooting left 17 staff and students dead and sparked a heated conversation about gun reform across the nation. For local schools, the issue became more about kindness and how to treat one another with respect, instead of walking out in protest.

According to the Ider High School Facebook page:

“On March 14, Ider High School will encourage students to walk UP! Walk up to the kid who sits alone at lunch and invite her to sit with you. Walk up to the kid who sits quietly in the corner, smile and say hi. Walk up to the kid who may be disruptive in class and ask him how he’s doing. Walk up to teachers and school staff and say thank you. Walk up to someone who has different views than you and get to know him/her. Walk up to 14 students and 3 teachers and say something kind. Honor the lives of those lost by walking up.”

Ider began sharing their choice to participate in the #WalkUpNotOut movement just this week, but the movement began back in February, just after the shootings. According to the IndyStar of the USA Today Network, the choice to walk up was likely inspired by a former Texas teacher who encouraged kids to reach out and talk to someone they might not ordinally talk to. Proponents of the Walk Up Not Out movement say “students should try harder to reach out with friendliness and compassion to their more solitary peers.”

Without completely delving into the issue of gun reform, just remember that it’s important that these victims be remembered one way or another. Whether you walk out or walk up, just remember to be kind.