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Noxon students gathered to exercise their First Amendment rights leading student-organized protest at the Noxon School on Friday afternoon. Students were protesting the vote by the Noxon School Board on Thursday to non-renew contracts of two faculty members, science teacher Jason Colyer and school counselor Amy Henderson.

Henderson was a counselor for the school, with duties including scholarships and class schedules. She was also working outside of schools to build up hours to be a counselor. "I haven't heard of a student or teacher who has been happy about this decision," said Kristen Chaboya, a school employee and parent.

Colyer was a science teacher for junior high and high school, as well as a coach for the junior high. He coached football, basketball and track. He also ran the science club. Many of the teachers have actively come out to dispute the decision, wondering if there could have been ulterior motives for the decision. "Part of the reason the decision was so unpopular was because of the timing and the way it was handled," said Noxon teacher Teri Wilkinson, who is about to retire. Wilkinson also said that the whole situation was "immoral and unethical."

As the news circulated among the students, several classes rallied together via text message and Snapchat, to lead a protest in order to voice their dislike over the dismissal of the two beloved faculty members.

In attendance were students in grades 5 through 12. Signs that read "We love you Mr. Colyer" and "We love you Ms. Henderson" were made by students and held up as they stood out in front of the school. Vehicles honked in support as they passed by.

Among the nearly 40 students who were protesting were sisters Elizabeth and Ezibela Lampshire and classmate Emma Kardokus. Elizabeth, a senior, expressed her concern for the sheer importance of having educators in their school who care about the livelihood of the students. "It's not fair. They are two of the most important people in our school. They actually care, and they have the most impact on our school," Elizabeth said.

Kardokus, a senior at Noxon, was worried about the future of their education because of the non-renewal of Colyer and Henderson. She was also worried about the school's financial means and their ability to find and hire new teachers when the school is in such a rural area. "Do we even have the money to hire someone new? It's very hard being as rural as we are," Kardokus stated.

Henderson, who has served as the school's counselor for the last three years, was at the protest to look on at the strength her students have to stand up and voice their opinions. "I cannot express the gratitude from myself and my family for these kids. How wonderful it was getting to know them and how proud I am to watch them grow up," Henderson expressed.

Colyer, who the students refer to as Mr. C., had no comment on the situation. However, students, fellow teachers and community members, expressed how much they valued him as a teacher. Colyer wrote a letter to the community and posted it on Facebook. He ended his letter saying, "I do not know what the future holds for me, but I do know that I would sell my soul to this, Noxon Red Devil, to stay."

Miriah Kardelis

Nearly 40 students showed up to the protest at Noxon School on Friday with homemade signs they displayed to vehicles passing by.

Jared VanVleet has been a math teacher at Noxon since 2004. He believes the school board doesn't have the students' education at the forefront of their minds. "They say they want what's best for the students, but they are voting on what they know nothing about. They don't seem to realize they aren't going to be able to replace him," VanVleet said, referring to Colyer, who is a broad field science teacher.

VanVleet continued about Henderson, "This is the longest I've seen a counselor stay at this school. She is someone who wants to be here, who is loved here and who has a relationship with the students here."

Amid the handful of parents and community members at the protest, Nick Posselt, who has kids who are coming up in the school system, has worries about the future of the Noxon School. "It's so hard to find good people to stay here for the pennies they pay. It's disturbing to see, especially as a parent," Posselt stated.