Last month's school shooting in Parkland, Florida, which claimed the lives of 17 people made a huge impression on students across the country.
"There's a little bit of anxiety of what would happen if it were to happen here," Belle Chasse High School junior Nicole Cascio said. "Is it really safe and are we going to be okay."
Cascio is one of hundreds of students at the Plaquemines Parish school, expected to participate in Wednesday's 17-minute National School Walkout.
The event will honor those who died in the Florida shooting and focus on making a difference here at home.
"During the walkout, it shows that our community is ready for change and we're willing to work for change in small ways, random acts of kindness is a big thing going around," Cascio said. "We want to make this a safer place, first and foremost. That's a big deal."
The Plaquemines school administration is allowing students to participate in the walkout if they choose to do so.
"I wish they didn't have to worry about a gunman or what (the shooting) has brought," Belle Chasse Principal Jemi Carlone said. "But, if it's going to teach my kids to be kinder to one another and to be better people, than hopefully this will be a positive measure."
Nationally, some schools are using the event to talk about guns and gun control. But, the administration and students are making it clear that Belle Chasse High is not taking any political stand with the walkout or pushing any political agenda whatsoever.
"It's about a show of support for the 17 victims of the shooting and to try and get our kids to understand that it all starts with you," Carlone said. "Change has to happen within each child."
Cascio added that change starts with better communications.
"The lack of communications causes a lot of problems," Cascio said. "If we can increase and better the communication, then we can solve a lot of problems sooner and get to the root of the problem before it becomes something terrible and a tragedy."
Plaquemines Parish students who do not want to participate in the National School Walkout will be allowed to stay inside and study in the library or a classroom.
In addition to Belle Chasse High, students at South Plaquemines and Phoenix High Schools in the parish will also be allowed to walkout.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday morning.