Two brothers were among the local students who stood together Wednesday against gun violence, having walked out of school in protest one month to the day after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17.
School walkouts were held across the country Wednesday morning, beginning at 10 a.m. local time and lasting 17 minutes - one minute in honor of each life lost at Parkland.
Brothers Chris and Matt Nickolaus stood outside Calvary Lutheran High School alone, except for a couple of school staff members to supervise them for their safety.
Both brothers attend Calvary Lutheran but also attend Jefferson City High School in the morning for a class there, their father, Nathan Nickolaus, said.
They could have participated in the walkout at JCHS, but Nathan said his sons wanted to do it at their school.
"Two's better than nothing," Matt, a junior, said of their representation.
"I'm hoping this will lead to something further," Chris, a senior, said of how he hopes the walkout will translate into raised awareness and more action to address gun violence.
Chris said he hopes private schools will be able to afford through grants to have police officers, and Matt hopes for expanded background checks in order for people to access firearms.
The boys will not face disciplinary action for walking out because they were excused from class by their parents.
"It's tough when you're a teenager to do something when everyone isn't doing it," but it shows the strength of their beliefs, Nathan said.
Across town, approximately 50 JCHS students walked out to show support for students at schools across the country where shootings have taken place.
The students came out around 10 a.m. and gathered around the flag pole located between the high school and Nichols Career Center. Several school staff, including Jefferson City Public Schools Superintendent Larry Linthacum and some school resource officers, looked on as the students chanted, "No more gun violence."
Linthacum said in a letter released Tuesday that JCPS staff "will not advocate a position to students or influence them in any direction related to national movements," and added adult supervision would be present at a walkout for students' safety.
Class would not be dismissed for any walkouts, peaceful protests or other demonstrations, and the letter did not mention any disciplinary consequences for students.
The letter added, "As with any absence, any makeup work will be the student's responsibility."
"We want to emphasize that JCPS does not support, endorse or encourage a walkout or protest; however, we do feel it is important to create a safe environment for our students to exercise their rights to participate or not participate in a possible national movement of this magnitude," Linthacum said in the letter.
JCHS students who spoke Wednesday talked about a need to find ways to deal with problems students face in their homes that can lead to violent acts. They also said more respect should be given to individuals no matter their race, sex or economic background so there would be more understanding of what people are dealing with in their everyday lives.
While they didn't have any specific solutions for these problems, all who spoke said just being able to have an event like this shows young people have the ability to make a difference when they come together.
Helias High School officials said no students participated in the walkout there, but a prayer was held during the time.
More than 20 Russellville High School students walked out of class and into the school gym Wednesday.
Senior class President Harrison Frank said the students took part in a moment of silence and offered ways they could help people around them feel welcomed and accepted, such as opening doors and greeting other students to foster a more inclusive social atmosphere.
"We think that's the best way to fix some of the problems in the world we live in," Frank said.
News Tribune reporter Allen Fennewald contributed information to this article.