A few hundred students walked out of school today to say enough is enough.

Inspired by Women’s March Youth EMPOWER and led by senior Elise Pariseau, Kearsley students walked out of their classrooms at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14.

“We are here for a purpose. We are here to stand up for our beliefs,” Pariseau said at the beginning of her speech.

The #Enough movement spread across the country through social media after the Feb. 14 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The 17-minute walkout honored the 17 victims from the shooting.

Kearsley school officials estimated that between 200 and 300 KHS students participated in the walkout.

Students want safety to become the priority for students nationwide.

Elise Pariseau, president of the Student Council, started with a speech during the event after balloons were passed out to some students. The orange balloons represented the color of the national walkout, while the black balloons symbolized victims of all school violence in America.

“We are here to voice our concerns about school safety,” Pariseau told the crowd. “This society needs to be aware that students should feel safe and protected in everyday learning environments.

“There have been 18 major school shootings since January first of this year. I believe that there are numbers more to come if students’ safety does not become a priority.”

Pariseau also spoke about additional regulations on purchasing weapons.

“Whether it be bans on assault weapons, expanded background checks when purchasing guns, or more security in schools, something needs to happen,” Pariseau said. “Enough is enough.”

Alongside Pariseau stood many students who want these changes to be made.

Senior Caitlyn Link is in favor of tighter laws controlling guns.

“Stricter gun laws have to be my top priority because students shouldn’t have to wonder if they will be able to go home at the end of the day unharmed,” Link said.

Pariseau said students are now waking up to see that change is desperately needed in our nation. She also wants students to be able to attend school without the threat of violence.

“Seventeen lives were lost at the shooting in Parkland, Florida, a month ago today. This has finally opened our eyes and made us realize that something needs to happen,” Pariseau said. “We are here today to spread awareness and voice our opinions that schools need to be a safer place.

“After 18 shootings in two months, enough is enough.”

At the end of the speech, orange, black, and white balloons were released. In addition, the students held a moment of silence.

Flanking Pariseau during the speech were 17 students, each holding a sign with the name of a Stoneman Douglas High School victim. During the event, all 17 names were announced along with a short life history of the person.

In the end, students signed the posters. Pariseau said those posters will be sent to Stoneman Douglas High School.

Sophomore Alexandra Walden appreciates that school officials are listening, and she is hopeful for change.

“They are open to hearing the things we have to say,” Walden said. “(Principal Brian) Wiskur knows there are some things we can’t have but is willing to accommodate with us.”

Junior Halle Parish also participated in the walkout. She is tired of the violence.

“I’m here to support school safety,” Parish said. “It has been years of this (school shootings) going on and still nothing has changed.”