Middle and high school students from across New Jersey took part in training and leadership sessions on Tuesday held by the group Sandy Hook Promise – an organization committed to protecting children from violence.

The program took place one day after a person shot and killed six people – including three children – at an elementary school in Nashville.

Students in New Jersey met at Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts to learn ways to stand up and take action against violence.

“Just being able to do activities and to be able to be a part of this program really helps empower us to make sure it doesn’t happen in our schools and communities,” says High Point Regional High School student Joel Morales.

Morales and other students who participated in the program took part in what is being called the SAVE Promise Club. SAVE stands for Students Against Violence Everywhere.

“Creating a culture where all of our students feel comfortable cultivating an environment where everyone feels safe and hoping these lessons will carry with them through high school and adulthood so we can bring awareness as to what’s happening in this country,” says Andrew Novad, SAVE Promise Club advisor.

The students and staff brainstormed ways on how to prevent violence in schools and their communities.

“Hopefully it’ll encourage other students to speak out and encourage them to take these activities back to their school and work to create a safer and more inclusive space,” Morales says.

The students say that they're ready to take what they learned during the program and implement those practices back in their own schools across the state.