The Trenton Times published the following article on October 29, 2013. To read the full article, click here.
Trenton Central High School students rally for school’s repairs
By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton
on October 29, 2013 at 6:40 AMTRENTON — About 100 students and community activists gathered outside Trenton Central High School this morning to demand repair or rebuilding of the aging school building.
The students echoed chants of “Rebuild TCHS” while they walked around the building holding signs, drawing honks from passing cars as school administrators looked on.
The rally began at 8 a.m. as students were coming into school for the day.
Naiyonna Hill, a 14-year-old sophomore, said it was time for students stand up for their health and well-being because the school building is a hazard.
“If the students don’t get more involved, nobody else will,” she said.
Hill and her friend Trashawn Collins, 15, said the school is filled with black mold and chipping paint, and when it rains the roof leaks, setting off fire alarms.
Raven White, 14, said students must serve as the voice of the school community because teachers have been told they should not participate in demonstrations about the conditions.
After word of the rally and planned walkout spread around the school, students received a letter from the administration saying they should not miss class time, White said.
The student protesters returned to class at around 9:15 a.m. after missing an hour of school.