Virginia Tech: Back To School

Like all of my fellow Hokies, I've been heartbroken and shocked at the events of last April. Not a day, not even a couple hours, has gone by where I haven't lived out that cold and windy Monday morning over and over in my head.

The days and weeks following were most appropriately described as an uplifting religious experience. All the support - hugs, tears, flowers, cards and memorial from the community and universities worldwide marked the most unified population I had ever been a part of. Enough with the unimaginable support from our local and global community, I have to admit that I was ready to get out of Blacksburg and begin the process of moving on.

I realized my expectations of coming home and forgetting about that day were irrational. Summer in the old stomping grounds for college students means long due reunions and the initial questions of, "How was your school year?" or "What are your summer plans?"

Hokies this summer had the understandably different experience. The curiosity for a firsthand account was prominent of friends and family back home. And though there were times where I didn't want to face the subject, I really can't blame any of them. I met a Columbine student once and my first inconsiderate instinct was to ask them about the tragedy they experienced back in 1999. So, I talked about it with friends during our initial meetings, and it was brought up every so often throughout the summer.

My wardrobe consists of several Virginia Tech shirts, which have always been a converstation starter. But instead of questions about Tech's football team or engineering program, I was questioned sympathetically about whether I was on campus or if I knew any of the victims.