‘Eagles United:’ Avon High Students ‘Walk-In’ to Be the Difference

Avon High School senior Yasmeen Barkley,
17, encourages classmates to ‘be the
difference.’ “We have to leave this place
better than the way we found it,” she said to
classmates. “We don’t have to be the smartest
people in the world to solve the world’s problems,
we just have to care. I am asking every single
Eagle to work hard – sign our pledge – be
committed to your word and be the difference.”

Avon High School students took a stand to honor the nation’s values with a ‘Walk-In’ today in response to tragic events that have been occurring in our country.

The program was planned as a statement about events in Parkland, Florida. Avon High students wanted to find a way to make a difference in the school and raise awareness, to do something impactful and empowering, to endorse kindness.

The administration asked teachers to identify students interested in being part of a safety forum with school officials and the school’s resource officer. Students interested were asked to write a letter stating why they would be a good selection to be part of the safety discussion.

The letters were reviewed by the principals, as well Superintendent Mike Laub. Approximately 30 students were selected and engaged in the safety forum discussion with school officials.

Avon High School’s
Make A Difference Pledge Form

Out of those discussions came the students desire to do something to honor/remember the victims at Margory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Rather than a “walk-out” as most schools planned March 14, Avon students wanted to do something that would raise awareness, create impact, and have lasting meaning for all AHS students.

After the assembly, students were encouraged to sign the “Eagles United – Make a Difference Pledge” and then sign a large “Make a Difference” banner that will hang at the school.

Each time a student completes one of the pledges on the list (there are 17 listed in honor of the 17 victims in Florida), they are asked to tweet their actions to @EaglesMakesaDifference.

Student Cam Wittschen:
“Margory Stoneman
Douglas High School
has the same Eagle mascot
logo we do in Avon. Our
theme “Eagles United”
represents both schools
coming together.”

Eagles United Week

This week, March 12-14, the Avon High School Eagles are sponsoring a three-day student initiative called “Eagles United Week.” Their goal was to unify the student body on three important topics: civic mindfulness, mental health awareness, and a pledge to make a difference within their school. Each of the three days, the Eagles plan to wear the school colors of a school that was impacted by a school shooting: Columbine (navy on Monday), Chardon (Black on Tuesday), and Marjory Stoneman Douglas (maroon on Wednesday). Throughout the three days, the Eagles are hosting booths in the lunchroom that vary from voter registration to mental health resources, positive affirmation cards, to signing a pledge to make a difference within their school and community. A culminating event will take place on March 14. Our Eagles are choosing to “Walk-in” to a student-hosted, 20-minute assembly, including a moment of silence to remember the lives lost. From the A Capella choir’s singing of the National Anthem, to a video on the topic of empathy, our Eagles wish to encourage their peers to commit to making a positive impact within their school. The Avon Police Department will also be training our student body on school safety drills and environmental precautions.

Avon Middle School also participated in Eagles United activities by wearing school colors noted above each day and promoting the themes: Monday – Civic Mindfulness; Tuesday – Prevention is Key and Wednesday- Make a Difference.