Parkland student ditches mean politics for community work

The story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School junior Thomas Holgate is just as harrowing as many others.

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“One of the security guards, he pulled us into the auditorium, saying like, ‘it’s code red, you’ve gotta hide,'” Holgate told KTTH Radio’s Jason Rantz. “We thought that was a drill, because, honestly, who expects your school to be the next school shooting?”

The high school students of Parkland, Florida were thrust into the national spotlight after a former student entered their school on Valentine’s Day with an AR-15 and opened fire, killing 15 students and two staff members.

Several students used their newfound platform to advance a national conversation about guns. Holgate decided that route wasn’t for him.

“In my opinion, getting into the politics of it would just be a lose-lose situation,” Holgate said. “You’re going to get hate from either side.”

Parkland survivors have certainly been exposed to some of the darkest sides of the internet. Students Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, and Cameron Kasky all told 60 Minutes they’ve received death threats since speaking out. Recently, a photoshopped image went viral of Gonzalez ripping up a copy of the Constitution. Many people sharing it on social media believed the image was real. It wasn’t.

Holgate decided instead of getting involved in the policy conversation, he’d use his clout to raise awareness for foundations helping the victims of gun violence.

“I feel like it’s more important just to help the people immediately,” Holgate said. “Rather than help them through politics and all that.”

Helping after Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting

Route 91 Strong was founded in the wake of the shooting at a Las Vegas music festival. Holgate is now an honorary member of the board, where he’s working on fundraising efforts.

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“I’m here to get the youth involved with the fundraising for that and represent the youth,” Holgate said. “It’s not just the older people that are affected. It’s kids now too, which is awful.”

Holgate is also working with the Christina Grimmie Foundation. Grimmie was a contestant on The Voice who died after she was shot by a fan in Orlando in 2016.

“We looked into her story, she was a really good person,” Holgate said. “After that happened, my mom was consumed by like, how could something so bad happen to someone so good?”

Both foundations accept donations at their websites christinagrimmiefoundation.org and route91strong.org.

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