BJ Pasqual
Emma Gonzalez and Parkland activists are ready to head into the world and change it.
June 04 2018 6:52 PM EST
June 04 2018 9:27 PM EST
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Emma Gonzalez and Parkland activists are ready to head into the world and change it.
A shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida forever changed the lives of students there, but many triumphantly walked across the stage for high school graduation on Sunday. That included Emma Gonzalez, The Advocate's Hall of Fame honoree for 2018, and David Hogg, who have since become prominent voices for gun reform through March for Our Lives. The activists announced details of more activism today, with a new bus tour, but this weekend was about celebrating their scholastic achievements.
Patricia Oliver's son Joaquin was supposed to graduate Sunday, and as the grieving mother accepted his diploma her shirt reminded the work of that fact. Joaquin was among 17 killed in the February 14 shooting at the school, and his parents have since become strong advocates for gun reform, launching Change the Ref to promote change.
\u201cIt should have been our son accepting his diploma today. We fight for all your children and loved ones and against the gun violence that is epidemic in this country. Change the Ref is how we honor Joaquin\u2019s legacy and continue the fight. - Manuel and Patricia\u201d— Change the Ref (@Change the Ref) 1528076313
MSDHS graduate David Hogg, now one of the most prominent activists in the March for Our Lives movement, wore an orange tag with $1.05. That's a number calculated by dividing the amount of money the National Rifle Association donated to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio by the number of students in Florida schools. In other words, the cost of each student life put at risk.
\u201cThanks for the tassel @marcorubio\u201d— David Hogg \u262e\ufe0f (@David Hogg \u262e\ufe0f) 1528039052
AP Government teacher Jeff Foster, a mentor to Parkland activists, poses with new MSDHS grads Chris Grady and Emma Gonzalez.
\u201c\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f@Emma4Change @chrisgrady5\u201d— jeffrey foster (@jeffrey foster) 1528072742
David Hogg poses with teacher Jeff Foster, a mentor to many March for Our Lives activists.
\u201cThanks @mrjefffostermsd (My AP Gov teacher) for teaching me what a discharge petition is earlier this year \ud83d\ude42\u201d— David Hogg \u262e\ufe0f (@David Hogg \u262e\ufe0f) 1528047483
March for Our Lives activists Emma Gonzalez and Chris Grady pose in a picture included in a collage that features Grady's graduation cap and degree.
Mother April Schentrup shared a picture of her daughter Carmen, a close friend of Emma Gonzalez. MSDHS left four seats open at graduation and gave diplomas to families of the four graduating seniors killed in the February 14 shooting.
\u201cMy \ud83d\udc99 is with the MSD C/O 2018 today. \ud83c\udf93\n\nFor me, it is too painful to celebrate w/o Carmen. But I am proud of Carmen\u2019s friends & classmates on their accomplishments. They\u2019ve overcome so much. I know they will cont to make positive changes.\n\nCarmen\u2019s senior photo w/ cap & gown.\u201d— April Schentrup (@April Schentrup) 1528026471
Dawn Young McDaniel shared a photo collage of the four graduating seniors killed at the February 14 shooting at MSDHS.
\u201cMarjory Stoneman Douglas graduates with 4 empty chairs.\nIf that doesn\u2019t shake government leaders to the core, I don\u2019t know what would.\nThis photo is of Joaquin \u201cGuac\u201d Oliver\u2019s mom accepting his diploma\ud83e\udde1\nAnd the other: Meadow Pollack, Carmen Schentrup & Nicholas Dworet\n#MSDStrong\u201d— Dawn Young-McDaniel \u267f\ufe0f (@Dawn Young-McDaniel \u267f\ufe0f) 1528059301
Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow died in the February 14 shooting, has become a Republican voice for school safety, lobbying for a bill in Florida to harden schools and increase the age to but an AR-15 like that used in the attack. He shared this photo of the family members, including Meadow's brother Hunter and boyfriend Brandon, who accepted her diploma on Sunday.
\u201cThese great young men are going to receive my beautiful daughters diploma today. @JakeMaisner, my son @PollackHunter, my nephew @adam_lionel15 and my daughters boyfriend Brandon. I\u2019m so proud of these guys. #FixIt\u201d— Andrew Pollack (@Andrew Pollack) 1528046604
Broward County athletic department leadership shared this picture of the MSD graduation ceremony.
\u201cCongratulations to the Class of 2018 @ Stoneman Douglas High. Enjoy the next phase of your life while making your community & family proud!\u201d— BCAA Sports (@BCAA Sports) 1528069064
Guest speaker Jimmy Fallon surprised graduates at MSDHS for the event.
\u201c@jimmyfallon thanks for all of your love and support of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Community & @browardschools ... @PrincipalMSD @RobertwRuncie @BrowardOSPA @Ramirez0505 @95Hollingsworth\u201d— BCPS Assoc. Supt. (@BCPS Assoc. Supt.) 1528062346
Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie shared this image of MSDHS graduate Emma Gonzalez. The bisexual Latina activist also was named to The Advocate's Hall of Fame this year for her advocacy for gun control.
\u201cMy 10th graduation of this year\u2019s season touched the hearts of all in @browardschools our community, the nation and the world!!! @RobertwRuncie @BrowardOSPA @Ramirez0505 @95Hollingsworth\u201d— BCPS Assoc. Supt. (@BCPS Assoc. Supt.) 1528062134
Students performed the original song "Shine" at the MSDHS graduation.
\u201cPerforming at graduation was an incredible experience! Thanks to everyone who made it possible. Congratulations to the class of 2018!!\u201d— ShineMSD (@ShineMSD) 1528071755
Viral post saying Republicans 'have two daddies now' has MAGA hot and bothered