Students at Danville High School are sending a message to students at Marshall County High School that they are “anchored” with them, in the wake of the Jan. 23 school shooting there.

Today, Danville High School will mail Marshall County a banner and personalized notes signed by students, staff and community members, and some decor items for the Marshall County High School office staff, signed by teachers and staff.

Student body Vice President Haley Akers, a senior, said she felt that most of the school’s 528 students had participated as of Tuesday afternoon.

“I think it’s been a very positive experience for our student body,” Akers said. “It’s brought us closer together as a student body, as well.”

She said the ultimate goal was to let the students and staff at Marshall County High School know they’re not alone in their struggles.

“I hope that the Marshall County School District will feel the support of the surrounding community and the surrounding state. That they know they’re not alone in this and they can be reassured that people are thinking of them and are there for them.”

Akers said students and staff at Danville came up with the idea together.

“I think this is a unique thing that our students and our administration have put together,” she said. “It makes me really proud to be an Admiral because it shows that in tough times we can come together.”

She said she hopes the students in Danville will remember to continue thinking of those in Marshall County.

Junior Charlie Hall said he was glad the school was making this possible for students.

“It’s important to show that we aren’t just separate schools. Even though we are three hours away, we’re part of a community,” he said. “If the situation was reversed, we would be struggling. We would need a lot of support.

“I think it’s important that we reach out to others and show that we are here for them.”

Students, he said, were sharing their social media handles, inviting others to reach out to them if they needed someone to speak with.

“It’s not just one sentence. We’re actually showing them that we are reaching out and supporting them. We’re there to make a bigger connection,” Hall said. “Ideas like this are really important now, not just in the wake of tragedy, but anytime. To show you care, to show you’re supporting people — to reach out to others. It’s now more important than ever.”

SO YOU KNOW

Community members can come to Danville High School until noon today (Wednesday, Jan. 31) to sign the banner.