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Bellaire High School Students Demand Change

By Mizuki Kai, Bellaire High School, School Buzz Reporter | January 18, 2020

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The HISD sit-in on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020 was organized by the Bellaire High School chapter of Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. (Photo: Mizuki Kai)

“They always say that if you need someone to talk to, we’re here. Well, HISD, we’re here. And we need to talk.”

Junior Jaylon Wise stood in front of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center standing along with other Bellaire students, all demanding change.

Tuesday, a Bellaire student was shot and killed at school.

Since the very moment students walked out of school to find ambulances and police cars swarming around campus, nothing has been the same. In the past three days, there have been three vigils to honor and grieve the student’s life.

Students gathered and held signs in protest after the tragic shooting at Bellaire High School. (Photo: Mizuki Kai)

And now, students demand change - to make sure that this won’t happen again. To make sure that the schools are safe. To make sure that HISD listens to their pleas.

The HISD sit-in was organized by the Bellaire High School chapter of Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (SDA). SDA president and senior Isabel Richards, along with other SDA officers, student representatives, and friends of the victim, spoke out in front of the crowd that gathered in front of the HISD building.

Senior Ioana Nechiti was among those that expressed frustration and grief in response to the shooting.

Members of Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America along with student representatives, and friends of the victim spoke in front of the crowd. (Photo: Mizuki Kai)

“It’s one thing to see school shootings on the news,” Nechiti said. “But it’s another to see SWAT teams outside of your own school.”

The students want to attend school without fearing for their lives, and it is HISD’s responsibility to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.

Bellaire High School is a second home to its students. The school and community came together to raise over 34,000 dollars for the victim’s funeral. They came together to grieve and remember. And this week, and the next, and for months and years to come - the faculty, staff, and students will never forget this tragedy.

The students have a voice. And they will shout, speak, write, or whatever else it takes to demand that HISD take the first steps in making sure this will never happen again.

Editor's Note: For more on this topic, read Olivia Baba's perspective of the shooting.