CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — High school students across the country took part in a National Walk Out demonstration Wednesday.
The national rally, which drew attention to school safety issues in the wake of last month’s mass shooting at a high school in South Florida, started at 10 a.m. and lasted 17 minutes, in tribute to the 17 lives lost during the massacre. 
Students at Washington High School in Jefferson County demonstrated as about half the student body walked out the front doors and student organizers spoke over a megaphone.
Though the conversation nationally has been centered on increased gun control, students and administrators spoke more about safety measures and anti-bullying.
Principal Judy Ann Marcus has been at Washington High since it opened in 2008. She said the national narrative did not shape this demonstration.
“We know that there are very strong feelings about gun control and we did not want to tailor our message in that way,” said Marcus. “The children decided they didn’t want to tailor the message in that direction. They want our staff and students to be together on this issues and not be polarized.”
Broghan Dozier, a 9th grade student organizer, addressed the demonstrators at the rally. She said that the walk out shows that young people can have a voice.
“We really just want safe schools and for people to listen and hear that teen activism is a thing,” said Dozier.
The rally went on with no incident or counter demonstration as supporters wore orange in a show of unity.