All across the country, people reacted to the news of Wednesday's mass shooting with shock and sadness. For students at one Capital Region high school, the connection to those in Florida was deeply felt. Our Matt Hunter has their story.

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. – The reaction to the deadly mass shooting in Florida among the members of Shenendehowa's varsity color guard team was no different than the emotions felt by countless people across the country Wednesday.

"It was shocking. I didn't believe it at first," said Kelly Pagniello, a senior who’s spent eight years in the program.

When the students learned they had a direct connection to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people lost their lives, the heartbreak immediately struck closer to home.

"I just kept saying 'it could have been us,' ” senior Amanda Maltz said. “I can't imagine waiting to hear if one of my teammates was OK."

Gina Montalto, a freshman on Stoneman Douglas' team, was among those to lose their lives.

"When we were told a girl on the team had passed away, we all kind of looked at each other like I can't imagine any of you not being here," Pagniello said.

Stoneman Douglas is one of only two dozen schools that competes in the nation's highest division alongside Shenendehowa.

"I don't think any of us knew anyone on the team personally but just in passing, like 'good luck,' ” Maltz said. “They performed right after us at world championships last year."

"When the students connect with another color guard, another school, it's a very strong bond they develop," said Scott Snell, who has been the Shen color guard program’s director for the past 22 years.

It is because of that bond that Shen's team will honor Montalto and her follow victims when they perform at a regional contest in Indianapolis this weekend.

"Their school colors are red and white, so we're planning on wearing a ribbon for them and also dedicating our performance to them," Pagniello said.

In the wake of tragedy, the team will put rivalries aside to show support to a member of the same tight-knit community.

"They would do the same for us, I'm sure of that, so we need to do it for them," Maltz said.