by Nick Delgado

Guam - Students and teachers at Agana Heights Elementary School joined the rest of the island and nation to take part in the largest earthquake drill in history. The Great Guam Shakeout is an annual event hosted by the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense. For an entire minute participants sound the alarms as they practice safety measures to protect themselves in the event of an actual earthquake.

"It was an earthquake drill," said 3rd grader Tori Cruz. "We had to drop, cover and hold on to our desk." Teacher Carol Somerfleck added, "These children not only have to learn, they need to also teach their family so that they also have a plan at home."

It took the students a total of eight minutes to evacuate the campus. Island residents joined close to eight million others practicing earthquake safety throughout the United States.