On Saturday, Feb. 14 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., the City of Parkland commemorated the 7th anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that took the lives of 17 people and left another 17 injured. The event was an evening ceremony at Pine Trails Park Amphitheater.

The formal ceremony featured local leaders honoring the 17 victims, accompanied by musical performances and the symbolic Inside Out art project representing the 17 victims. Attendees were able to leave messages and had the opportunity to interact with therapy dogs on-site for comfort.

“Events like these bring comfort to those who suffered. It shows them that people still care and that the victims haven’t been forgotten,” said senior Javian Muniz.

At the ceremony, the community was encouraged to donate to a public memorial dedicated to the victims, which will feature 17 stone-clad obelisks, each with the name of one of the victims arranged in a circle around a central water feature. Included on the site are shade structures and 17 royal palm trees, as well as benches.

“This is always a difficult time for our community as a whole and commemoration provides a place for people to go to be with others,” said City of Parkland Spokesperson Todd D’Aneglis. “This is also an opportunity for the larger MSD community to show support for the families who lost the most.”

The event focused on supporting families and the Parkland community, along with allowing the community to process their pain and ensure that the memories of the victims remain. It ensures that the tragedy is remembered, reinforcing a commitment to compassion and unity in the face of loss.