Fulton High School students closed their eyes in a moment of silence Wednesday, remembering the 17 killed Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
Emma Abbott, student body president, said the event was voluntary but about 345 students - or half the student body - participated in four events that let them express themselves and learn how to protect themselves from harm.
"I'm really proud of this event," Abbott said as the day began. "I hope our students get something out of it."
Four 15-minute sessions on different topics were led in communal parts of the high school. In the gymnasium, counselors Anne Langendoerfer and Audrey Penberthy encouraged students to share 17 ideas for making school a happier and safer place. Students moved around the gym, raising their hand if they were looking for a partner, then made those connections. They repeated this over and over until all 17 of their ideas were expressed.
"Our goal is to try to spread awareness and ideas today about how to never have another school shooting," Langendoerfer said. "The idea is to find ways to may your world or someone's world better."
She asked students to stretch beyond their comfort zones and talk to people they didn't know very well.
"There are people who might be silent or very loud," she added. "Reach out to those you may not see very much. I want each of you to share one of your ideas you came up with."
Another session was led by Principal Chris Mincher who talked about school safety and what high school staff is doing to make students safer. Another session let students write down their opinions - anonymously on sheets of paper - about how the school could do better.
In the choir room, groups gathered with Jerry Arnold, a master sergeant who has served with the Missouri Highway Patrol for 24 years; Callaway County Road Deputy Nicholas Jensen, who has served about a year; and Maj. Roger Rice, deputy police chief in Fulton.
Rice said he spent 15 years as a school resource officer at Fulton High School, and is also an FHS graduate.
"I know there's a lot of fear, a long of anger and a lot of sadness," Rice told the group. "And I'm sorry about that."
He blamed the media in part for repetitive and negative reporting.
"They only want to talk about the negatives, but there were 3,000 kids in that (Florida) school," Rice added. "There has to be something that was done right."
Rice said some of the students and staff under attack at that Florida school did the right thing and used their training.
"Get in your room and close the door. Put the chain around the door knob. Barricade the door - the same things you've learned," he added.
Rice also said the typical school shooter is only actively attacking for a short time before fleeing or killing themselves.
"They're only in the building three, four minutes," he added.
In that period of time, the police can respond and arrive.
"We'll be there - I promise you," Rice said. "It only takes three or four minutes and we'll be here."
While he recognized students are scared, they need to realize they are their own first line of defense.
"We have to face our fears, and we have to overcome our fears," Rice added.
According to Rice, the number of legitimate school shootings has been dropping since 2014, when there were 25 high school and 13 college shootings. In 2017, he said, there were seven.
"School is one of the safest places to be," Rice added. "Don't be afraid."
Arnold also advised students to be aware of their surroundings and those nearby.
"Be aware of someone's not acting right, and tell somebody," he said.
Jensen said protecting oneself includes a pattern: Run, hide and fight.
"If you have to fight, don't be afraid to fight," Jensen added. "You're your first line of defense."
Callaway County Commissioner Gary Jungermann ended the activity with information for students about how to speak out and contact local officials about any of their concerns.
Abbott said later that she thought the activity was very engaging for the students.
"I honestly think this was a great opportunity for our students," she said. "It put a positive outlook on it. Even if this doesn't make an impact nationally, it makes an impact here."