Kalamazoo Central High School Students got a surprise letter from former President Barack Obama crediting their leadership in the aftermath of the Florida shooting.

According to MLive, Kalamazoo Central High School Principal Valerie Boggan received an email that contained the note for students.

Obama had visited the school back in 2010. He writes in his letter to students,

I just wanted to write a quick note to say how proud I am of your leadership in the aftermath of the Florida shooting... Your engagements in the important issues are what the country needs, so stay at it, even if progress sometimes seems slow. "

Kalamazoo Public Schools shared the letter to its Facebook page.

Following the Feb. 14 shooting at Parkland High School in Florida that left 17 dead, a group of Kalamazoo Central High School Students created a petition, "Students Fighting Guns Since Adults Won't," calling for "comprehensive and responsible gun control".

As of Wednesday afternoon, March 7,  214,388 have signed the petition.

MLive reports that Kalamazoo Central students then participated in a rally at the Capitol building in Lansing after the petition went viral.

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