By Nick Cerofeci
Staff Writer
The Great California ShakeOut took place in Mira Costa High School and all over the state of California on Oct 14 in order to prepare California schools for an event of an earthquake.
The ShakeOut is a six year long tradition that is practiced throughout the state. The drill is mandatory for kindergarten through high school students. Although some pre-schools and colleges choose to participate.
“It important for us to rehearse what we would do in case of an emergency,” Mira Costa High School Principal, Dr. Ben Dale said. “When there’s an actual emergency, people don’t think. They just react.”
According to Dale, the shakeout is a tradition that is extremely important to Costa. He stresses the importance of being prepared in case of an emergency or natural disaster. He says Costa does a drill every month just to make sure the school is completely prepared.
“In the event of an actual emergency, we don’t want and can’t afford any hesitation,” Dale said. “We want people to react proactively based on their prior training and experience.”
According to freshman Beck Cherry, earthquakes are a serious matter. It is necessary to be ready because it is important to know what to do in case of an earthquake and how to prevent small casualties.
“As a school and community, we need to be prepared,” Cherry said. “If we don’t practice things like the Great ShakeOut and we have a real earthquake, it may result in some serious injuries.”
Jon Shaw, Vice Principal and head of athletics and activities has similar views on the Great California ShakeOut. According to Shaw, earthquakes are unpredictable and being prepared for when a quake does happen is extremely important.
“These drills that we practice over and over teach kids, teachers and faculty important procedures,” Shaw said. “They learn where they evacuate, and how to keep safe, calm, and how to react in a time of emergency.”
To Bruce Ekstein, Mira Costa Science teacher believes that when students are prepared, they are safe, efficient, and ready. These drills are significant to practice because they prevent casualties, big and small.
“The Great ShakeOut is important because it prepares us, and being prepared is the best thing we can do to prevent casualties,” Ekstein said. “Whenever you’re prepared for something, you’re ready, you have a plan, and you can execute that plan when an emergency happens.”
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