Northeast hearts toward Douglas High

BY DEXTER MCCREE, Feature Writer

ST. PETERSBURG – The students at Northeast High School are filled with words of hope and encouragement for the community of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., who last week experienced a tragic mass school shooting.

“This tragedy really hit home to the students here at Northeast who perhaps take drills a little as a joke, especially given the fact that they were just sitting on the floor in a lock down practice the day before,” said Kristin Bercume, director of Northeast Academy of Finance. “Our heart goes out to that community.”

The tragedy has a personal story for the Northeast community because both schools house one of the few National Distinguished Academy of Finance.

“They are part of our family.”

The students in Northeast High’s Academy of Finance used their artistic skills to make colorful hearts made out of construction paper and set up a table during lunch time for students to scribe inspirational messages. The hearts are being sent to Douglas High School in hopes that they know they are not suffering alone in the tragedy.

“We talked about it as a class to see what we could do to send our condolences to Douglas High School in light of the shooting,” said John Michaels Elliott, a student in the Academy of Finance and a team member of the Achieva Credit Union, Viking branch.

The students came up with the note stand because it allows the entire school to show compassion and send a message of hope.  Elliott said the students at Northeast tried to show that we’re thinking of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and that they’re in their prayers.

“My message would be to love everybody that you can. Love your life and keep every moment precious,” said Elliott. “You don’t know when you could lose somebody that is dear to you. Love uncontrollably and there won’t be any regrets.”

To reach Dexter McCree, email dmccree@theweeklychallenger.com