National School Walkout is observed at Decorah High School as a memorial event to honor students and staff killed in school shootings

Roses were laid for each life that was lost

As people arrived in front of Decorah High School Wednesday morning to observe the National School Walkout, student organizer Sarah Mumford asked everyone to stand around the bell in front of the high school.

Close to 150-175 students, school staff, and community members gathered to pay their respects to the 17 students and staff members who were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine's Day.

When asked by decorahnews.com why she organized this event, Mumford said, "I hope to bring attention to the school shootings that have happened this year. 18 school shootings have happened in the past three months. I am hoping this 'Stand Up,' I don't want to call it a walkout, does something, tells people that students' lives matter just as much as adults. We shouldn't have to not feel safe when we are in our schools."

Students took turns ringing the bell, reading one name of the 17 people who were killed, and then laid a rose to remember each person who lost their life that day. After all the names were read, there was a few minutes of silence, and everyone joined hands, forming a large circle around the bell.

Student Storm Barre said she participated in the service "to honor the people who had died in the shooting" and added "something needs to be done to keep kids safe at school."

2017 Decorah graduate Indigo Fish came to the service to support her brother's friend, Sarah Mumford, "It's a topic that is really important and I decided I was going to participate in it," said Fish.

Fish helped close the service as she led the crowd in the song, "Amazing Grace" as the 17 minutes drew to a close.

Students gather around the school bell

Student Amey Shedinger lays a rose during the service

Student Storme Barr reads a victim's name

The large crowd held hands near the end of the service