As the majority of the Nighthawk community knows, the past couple of weeks have been eye-opening to the situation our school is in. On February second, students held a silent walkout at 10 a.m. advocating against racism in our school and the administration “not properly” reprimanding students. The administration also formed a “Talk-out” which gave students a voice on how they’ve been treated, or about the situation in general. 

Brent Spencer, principal of Ironwood Ridge High School, made a statement about this incident on February second. “About 200 students gathered near the administrative building for the Walk-Out. It was a silent protest, and students were safe and respectful at all times. In the auditorium, we had two microphones set up for students to use. The Talk-In lasted more than two hours, and throughout that time, several hundred students were present. About 75 students spoke at the Talk-In, and administrators took notes to ensure the feedback would be preserved.”

On February third, staff organized a “Walk-in” at 8:30.a.m. for support football coach and PE teacher James Hardy, who found a hangman game along with racial slurs written on the whiteboard in the varsity locker room. “Students want discrimination of any kind addressed head-on. They encouraged their classmates to speak up when they hear derogatory remarks being made in their friend groups or elsewhere on campus,” said Spencer.

After the peaceful protests, Coach Hardy expressed his feelings towards the day; “I thought it was awesome how the student body came together and did something positive and they wanted their voices to be heard”.