Rylie Miller, a third grade student at Welches Elementary School, experienced an earthquake in Hemet, Calif. when he was younger and it left a lasting impression.

"I had to go get my brother at my aunt’s, she used to live right next door to us," said Miller, 8. "My brother flew up, he went in the air kinda."

On Thursday, Oct. 18, Miller got to experience another earthquake – kinda.
As part of a larger earthquake preparedness drill, dubbed the "Great Oregon
Shake Out," Welches Elementary and Middle Schools held an earthquake
exercise, including a full evacuation of the two buildings.

Students at both schools knew the drill was scheduled and were instructed on
how to respond: drop to the ground, find cover (such as under a desk) and
hold on to the cover so it doesn’t shake away. Then, when the teacher
instructs them to, go to the nearest exit and find safety in a nearby field.

And despite one room that missed the announcement that the drill had begun,
the schools performed the exercise without much of a hitch.

But if a real earthquake hit, some students admitted their emotions might run
a little higher.

"I kind of freak out ... because I don’t like to shake," said third grader Laney
Gundersen, 9.

Second grade student Alison Ewing heard from her father what a small
earthquake was like, giving her a little insight on what it might be.

"I might be like a little scared, maybe," said Ewing, 7. "But I think I’ll be
pretty okay."

The schools are required to do a yearly drill and Principal Kendra Payne notes
future drills may be a surprise instead of a known entity.

Payne also added that it’s important for students to understand why the drills
happen so that they don’t get scared or confused.

"This drill is a real opportunity for the kids to learn about our earthquake risk
in this area and to know what to do if the situation comes," she said.

The drills have proved useful in the past at the schools. Payne recalled that in
her second year of teaching, a very minor earthquake hit the area but only
half of the middle school felt it.

While everyone who did feel it evacuated successfully, Payne’s class, in part of
the school that didn’t feel the quake, simply continued on with their day.