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Forest Park isn’t changing its strategy to deal with potential gun violence in light of recent school shootings in Connecticut and St. Louis. That’s because officials feel they already have strong procedures in place to protect students. “It shocks the system when you see something like (a school shooting),” said Police Chief Richard Banahan. “But it doesn’t change the plan. It’s a great plan.” The campus held an armed-intruder drill in April. Students and staff locked classroom doors and stayed out of sight. President Cindy Hess and other leaders also go through surprise exercises that test their ability to make decisions in a crisis. […]

Camel Parks knew about the Rev. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and other legends in the Civil Rights Movement. But an African American history class at Forest Park has taught her about many other “unsung heroes” who struggled through everything from slavery to segregation. “There was just so much more to it, said Parks, 23 a journalism major. “What I learned in high school didn’t even come close. I didn’t realize how many people gave their lives.” […]