A nation of maroon and orange
Sharon Pritz, CT Features Editor
April 20, 2007
As the week draws to a close and students unite with friends and families, the nation will don the colors that flow through Virginia Tech: maroon and orange.
Under an image of Burruss Hall, the promotional flyer for the event says, "We invite everyone from all over the country to be a part of the Virginia Tech family this Friday, to wear orange and maroon to support the families of those who were lost, and to support the school and community we all love so much."
Searching "Hokie Hope" or "Maroon and Orange Day" on Facebook leads to groups with more than 5,000 members nationwide. A representative from the Alumni Association located in Holtzman Alumni Center said that she didn't know where the event originated, but an unknown alum spread the word.
When Blacksburg will come together tomorrow, alumni from around the country will uphold Hokie Hope and participate in scheduled events. Elizabeth Ballard, class of 2002, member of the Wythe-Bland chapter and Smith County Schools employee, contacted her school board members to get the county schools on board with Hokie Hope. "We're trying to get school system's involved," Ballard said. "And we're hoping to have a memorial at our Relay for Life site."
From the National Capitol Region, Charla Jenrette, class of 1998, said that her chapter promoted their efforts with communication. The chapter invited the whole nation, she said, and every alumni association is participating. What she found most impressive was that one specific alum started this, Ballard said. A blood drive is in the planning process.
Farther south in Florida, the Jacksonville alumni chapter has an entire weekend planned to commemorate Monday's events. To start, they are hosting a dinner tomorrow evening and sending message boards to Blacksburg. Their most important aspect is "that information gets out to the entire community," said Barbara Tyler, chapter member.
Moving West to the Chicago Alumni Chapter, Joe Riccio, class of 1998, detailed the entire chapter's schedule. Though nothing specific has been set aside for Hokie Hope, the weekend is filled with memorial planning for Monday, April 23, the week anniversary of the shootings. To uphold Hokie bonds, the pastor performing the memorial is also a Virginia Tech grad.
Hokie Hope reaches even as far as San Diego, where Addy Connolly, class of 2002, helps plan her alumni chapter's next few weeks. All week long they have been wearing orange, Connolly said.
Around her office, coworkers said, "I don't have maroon and orange, so I have to go shopping." Connolly also noted that before April 16, Hokie fans around San Diego would honk and cheer upon seeing the Virginia Tech paraphernalia on her car. Now, she said, they smile or "put their hands over their hearts."
While Blacksburg Hokies will continue to grieve this weekend, Hokies from around the country and the world will join in the efforts to show support. From coast to coast, alumni, friends and families will proudly show their Hokie pride, reaffirming that Blacksburg is not alone.