Students at Oakdale High School Utilize Sandy Hook Promise Tools to Promote School Safety

Student-led SAVE club at Maryland high school aims to prevent violence and build a positive school climate

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:44am

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At Oakdale High School in Maryland, a group of students have formed a SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) club as part of the Sandy Hook Promise initiative. The club, led by senior Evie Graham, uses Sandy Hook Promise's programs like Start With Hello and Say Something to educate their peers, promote mental health awareness, and create an anonymous reporting system to address concerns about potential violence. The club's efforts have helped foster a more inclusive school community and give students a voice in addressing the nationwide issue of school safety.

Why it matters

The Sandy Hook Promise was founded by family members of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and its programs aim to empower youth to prevent violence in schools. As gun violence and school shootings have continued to be a major concern across the country, the work of student-led clubs like the one at Oakdale High is seen as an important grassroots effort to address this issue at the local level.

The details

The SAVE club at Oakdale High was founded by senior Evie Graham, who became a 'promise leader' with Sandy Hook Promise during her freshman year. The club has run various advocacy campaigns, including putting up informational boards around the school and recording morning announcements to promote the Sandy Hook Promise's mission. The club also established an anonymous tip line for students to report concerns about potential violence, bullying, or mental health issues. The club's advisor, social studies teacher Elisabeth Smith, says it gives students an outlet to affect change at the local level on this national issue.

  • The SAVE club was established and registered with Sandy Hook Promise on August 30, 2023.
  • During the club's first meeting in 2023, 38 students wrote letters to trusted adults in their lives.

The players

Evie Graham

The president of the SAVE club at Oakdale High School, who became a 'promise leader' with the Sandy Hook Promise during her freshman year.

Bill Caulfield

The principal of Oakdale High School, who has grown closer to students and is glad they feel comfortable coming to him with concerns.

Elisabeth Smith

The advisor of the SAVE club and a social studies teacher at Oakdale High School.

Liliana Meertens

A senior at Oakdale High School who joined the SAVE club because she shared a similar commitment to preventing gun violence and promoting mental health awareness.

Ariana Juarez

A freshman at Oakdale High School who felt reassured by the existence of the SAVE club and its ability to advocate for peace in schools.

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What they’re saying

“This [club] is going to be something where I feel like we can get something done.”

— Liliana Meertens, Senior, Oakdale High School

“It honestly just gave me more reassurance that there was a club like this because that was something that I was concerned about, and I'm just glad that there's an ability to, you know, advocate for it and just bring more peace into our schools.”

— Ariana Juarez, Freshman, Oakdale High School

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.