Emma Gonzalez

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, The Cardinal will feature prominent and historical Hispanic Americans, living or dead, who have worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Mariana Jimenez, Staff Writer

October 1, 2024

Emma Gonzalez is an American activist and advocate for gun control.

Gonzalez is a survivor of the February 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. Days after the School shooting, Gonzalez and other Stoneman Douglass students founded the gun control advocacy group Never Again MSD. Gonzalez drew national attention after the speech they gave at a rally against gun violence, “We call B.S” on the lack of action by politicians.

The speech “We Call B.S.” took place on February 17, 2018, and they gave an 11 minute speech in front of the Broward County Courthouse at a gun control rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the speech, they pledged to work with their peers to pressure lawmakers to change the law. “We are going to be the last mass shooting” Gonzalez stated. They continued to advocate for gun control after the rally, helping organize the March for Our Lives, which became the largest student protest in American history. Gonzalez’s speech at the demonstration mentioned each victim by name which was followed by minutes of silence. Gonzalez’s six minute and 20 second speech equaled the length of time of the Parkland shooting.

On the day of the shooting, Gonzalez was in the auditorium with dozens of other students when the fire alarm went off. They attempted to exit through the hallway but were told to take cover and took refuge in the auditorium, where they were held for two hours until police let students out. Gonzalez graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in 2018.

Gonzalez was the tracking team leader on Project Aquila, a mission to send a school made weather balloon “to the edge of space” and the project was documented by student David Hogg. Gonzalez also served as the president of its gay straight alliance in high school. In the spring of 2022, Gonzalez graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from New College of Florida.

About the Contributor

Mariana Jimenez, Staff Writer

Mariana Jimenez is a student at Hoover High School for the year 2024-2025. Mariana Jimenez enjoys reading books in her free time, but when it comes to the types of books she reads she is very specific and picky. Mariana has three younger brothers and an older sister, one who is sixteen, ten, two, and twenty two. Marianas parents met in San Diego where they had a baby, after a year they moved to Arizona Tucson where Mariana was born. Then after a year they moved to San Diego where they had the rest of their children. Mariana’s passion is being respectful and showing kindness to people, mainly to the ones who need it the most. Mariana Jimenez plans on going to college for two years then transferring to Arizona state university. The reason as to why she wants to transfer to Arizona state is because of the views, opportunities and because of the snow during winter. She plans on working in the medical field or a job that involves helping people such as a doctor, teacher, lawyer, et cetera. Mariana wants to inspire people to love themselves, she also wants to make a change in the world. One of the changes she plans on starting with is by helping people and inspiring people to be respectful and kind.