For many students at Creek, a day off means going home to sleep, do homework, and hang out with friends.

But for the high school students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the days off after the shooting meant activism.

The tragedy continues the ongoing trend of school shootings, from Columbine to Sandy hook and now Stoneman Douglas.

Student activism has been a part of the American way for all of our history. College students made history during the Vietnam protests by burning draft cards, marching, and putting flowers in the barrels of police. Four black college students spearheaded the civil-rights movement by refusing to leave a diner counter.

With the most recent school shooting in Florida, high school students have taken it upon themselves to change the hands-off nature of American gun laws. After all, students are the direct victims of school shootings.

These high school students are now making headlines and facing down politicians directly responsible for passing the legislation putting us where we are today.

Though, Creek students have not been idle in this year’s political turmoil.

Students walked out to the reservoir back in September in support of DACA. Now, students here plan again to walkout on March 14th in support of passing gun legislation.

This kind of ground roots activism is nothing more than amazing and historical.

Meanwhile, critics say these kids are not old or wise enough to fully understand the laws in which they argue; they say kids don’t understand the ideas in which they speak.

But they do.

Maybe the majority of high school kids are not old enough to purchase and own a gun.

Maybe high school kids haven’t had all the experience that an old gun owning advocate would have. But who is on the other end of the barrel?

At what point does someone truly understand a law?

What is the right age at which someone can become politically active?

Now in an age of social media, a tweeting president, and a digital future, maybe the kids know more than society thinks.

Like any other American citizen, these students are exercising their right to petition grievances and protest.

If nothing is changed in the word of law, at least we have a more politically aware and informed youth ready to speak out for what is right.

The students of Creek shouldn’t sit idly waiting for adults to speak in their name. The students themselves need to call their representatives and spread the word for issues that affect them.

Adults should no longer be the only voices in conversations about issues affecting young adults.