More than 20 million people around the world dropped, covered, and held on for The Great Shakeout, the largest earthquake drill in history. Here on Guam, we stopped by one school to see how they put their safety skills to the test.

Drop, cover, and hold on! From homes and offices to classrooms at Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School in Harmon, island residents put those three steps into practice during Thursday’s Great Guam Shakeout — part of the world’s largest earthquake drill aimed at boosting preparedness and response.

For 2nd grader Solomon Cruz, the experience brought out a sense of confidence, explaining, “I felt amazed, because I was doing it correctly.”

Students reviewing the basics of earthquake safety — from what to do when the ground shakes. Cruz said,  “We practiced...sit on our bottoms and criss-cross applesauce.”

To how to best protect themselves in an uncertain situation, with classmate Sophia Tan adding, “To criss-cross applesauce because we’re going to feel uncomfortable if we don’t criss-cross applesauce.”

2nd grade teacher Mrs. Morales-Meno says preparedness is something the school has been instilling early on. “They’re prepared because they actually practiced in kindergarten and 1st grade already," she said.

“They’re pros.”

The shakeout serves as a crucial reminder — helping schools and communities test emergency plans, raise awareness, and build resilience — all to ensure a disaster doesn’t turn into a catastrophe. “We want to make sure, especially with our students, that they’re prepared and we’re ready to help them in case of an emergency," their teacher said.