‘Walk of Strength’ marks Marysville Pilchuck shooting milestone

 

By Rikki King, The Herald

 

MARYSVILLE — A community event is planned for the one-year milestone of the shootings at Marysville Pilchuck High School.

The event, called A Walk of Strength, will start at 9 a.m. Oct. 24 and will include a walk around the campus. The plan includes inviting people to plant red and white tulip bulbs as they “come together and reflect,” according to a news release.

The details are being coordinated by the city, the school district and the Tulalip Tribes.

“An unimaginable event occurred in our community last year that changed lives forever,” schools Superintendent Becky Berg said in the release. “But it does not define us.”

The walk is meant to be a safe and supportive way to remember together, Mayor Jon Nehring said. Tribal Chairman Mel Sheldon described each step as a symbol for healing and moving forward.

They’ve set up a website, www.mtunited.org, and a Facebook page called “Marysville/Tulalip United.”

T-shirts with the logo and “#MPstronger” branding are expected to go on sale at www.mpmemorial.org.

Oct. 24 will mark one year since a freshman at Marysville Pilchuck High School invited a group of friends to sit together in the main cafeteria. He shot five of them, four of whom were fatally wounded. He then took his own life.

 

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