In Photos: Franklin High School March 14 Walkout

FRANKLIN, WI — At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, students at Franklin High School - approximately one out of every five enrolled at the school - joined students across the U.S. in opposing gun violence while supporting the 17 people who died in the Parkland school shooting.

"Overall, I was just stunned by the consideration and respect people showed," Brianna Tobin, 17, told Patch.com. "We had people in tears because of this, and using their voices during the after-session. These kids want to see change."

The school has been beset by a series of public incidents and a threat recently, including an incident where students were ultimately disciplined for shouting racist remarks at a recent boys varsity basketball game and an unnamed student who posted a segregation-era sign near a school water fountain.

And then on Feb. 20, Franklin police addressed a school threat that was posted over social media that resulted in about 600 students missing school over the purported threat.

School administration has been responsive in helping to increase racial and social sensitivity at the school, Tobin said, among which was support for Wednesday's march.

"[School administrators] were very supportive," she said. "I was kind of amazed how willing they were to support us in this way."

Students walked out of school in an orderly fashion just after 10 a.m. Wednesday and gathered in front ofthe school. During the proceedings, they observed a moment of silence, and listened as the names of the 17 victims and their stories were read aloud in front of th participants. There was a brief speech about the history of gun violence dating back to the tragic Columbine High School shooting to date.

In the future, Tobin said students want to work with teachers to create a study group called Students Initiating Success, a discussion and brainstorming group dedicated to promoting constructive social outcomes related to issues that affect the student body.

Images Courtesy Trinity Hanson