“We, the Future:” Students at Central High School protest ICE
Community, Feature, Politics February 24, 2026, 0 CommentWe have all heard the phrase, “Children are the future”, and on January 20, 2026, the students of Central High School proved this sentiment holds weight. Amidst the current political environment and growing concerns surrounding ICE and the federal administration’s alleged denial of due process, this group of young people decided it was time to make their voices heard.
As a collaborative effort with school administration, Central High School’s young visionaries were able to propose and stage a walkout in protest of the unfair proceedings around them. The event was widely covered by local media, and members of the community alongside parents came out to rally with the demonstrators. The walkout began at approximately 2:50 P.M. and students emerged from the building accompanied by school administration. They convened at the front of the building where Principal, Jeremy Brown, addressed the crowd with a speech about diversity, equity and inclusion, making Central High School’s stance clear. Students were also called upon to give their own speeches and express how they felt.
In response to being asked about his feelings on the walkout, Principal Brown offered the following statement: “My biggest thing is supporting our students and making sure our students have a voice. At the end of the day, they are going to be the ones leading the country, so if we can really get to the
point where they understand their voice and standing up for the right things, then we will always
support their safety and their voice.”
While media outlets and external supporters were not allowed onto the school grounds during the duration of the walkout, this did not diminish the clear air of unity. Meg Wagler, a parent standing on the edge of the protest alongside her husband, shared her perspective. “Our daughter was interested in participating, and we were proud of her and excited for her to exercise her First Amendment rights,” Wagler said. “[We] just wanted to be here for support and make sure that it was well received by the community and be here on the sidelines to cheer her on.”
Not all students were pleased with how the walkout was conducted, however. One Central High School senior, expressed his own mixed feelings after the walkout had concluded. He opened by saying: “Well, I think it’s very important to voice our opinions. I mean, its America we’re talking about after all,” echoing the previous sentiments of others. He continued, saying “today’s protest was a little shameful of our administration. We weren’t allowed to do what we did back in my freshman year with the protest of gun violence in the states and we really expected to do more of what we were wanting to do.”
When asked what he hoped the protest as it stood would achieve, the student stated the following: “..with the people that are listening here at home or walking during their daily routes, they know that somewhere out there, people are caring and that they are not alone…There’s always power behind their voices.”
Overall, this walkout has been a source of great civic engagement for the students of Central
High School and shown their clear commitment to community. Unified, they hold a desire to see justice
done for those around them. During these increasingly tense times, it is refreshing to see a body
of young people coming together for good and do so in the presence of the greater Springfield
Metropolitan area.
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