Students hold vigil for Colorado student tragedy

Following the wake of the Littleton, Colo. high school shooting, about 50 people gathered within a circle of candles in Wilder Bowl to remember the victims of this tragedy.

"We must react and grieve and remember," said first-year Vanessa Wirth. She and other students gathered in memory of the 14 Colorado students and one teacher who were killed, along with all of the other victims of school violence.

The event was put on by three concerned students, sophomore Jessica Kennedy, and first-years Ebikepreye Porri and Kasi Chakravartula. "It's always easier to deal with pain when you are around others," said Chakravartula.

First-year Shinnerrie Jackson began the vigil in song. As her voice wafted across Wilder Bowl, more people joined the circle.

Kennedy then gave an account of the events of the Colorado shooting. While others tearfully mourned in the background, she told of the 15 dead, the weapons and the two suspected teens who hurt so many and then killed themselves.

Cards were handed out as students arrived and then read aloud. They contained names of people who were killed in school violence, from lesser known incidents. It was comprised of teens and children who's lives ended at age 11 and 12. When the names were read, one student voiced a personal contribution to the list, "Chris Day, age 17."

"And grace will lead me home," sang Jackson. Others joined in and hummed along in quiet realization. Chakravartula encouraged everyone to speak and share their stories, their emotions and their arts. "We are here to lean on each other," she said.

"It's just madness," one student said. "We live in a would of such insanity." Other students added, "A lot of people are looking for people to blame ... the society that we are living in now is a violent one. We are all responsible for our society. We all have to work together to change it."

Senior Jabali Sawiki brought the tragedy home, speaking of one of his friends, "Last night he shot himself in the head, two blocks away [from campus]. Nowadays you don't have to look past your brothers to see this."

Everyone stressed action, "It starts with one person and one action." That action could be summed up in a statement by first-year Charlotte Phillips. "Love people, love them every day and tell them you love them."

Chakravartula agreed. "We cannot keep pushing tragic events like this from our minds."

As raindrops began hitting people on the head, the participants moved to hugs and then dissipated. "Try to understand and to never look away and to never, never forget," said Chakravartula.

Remembrance: A student mourns for the 13 people killed in the Colorado high school shooting this week. (photo by Pauline Shapiro)