Collegiate Times

Yesterday marked the anniversary of an event that most of us would never have dreamt would ever happen.

In the eyes of over 20,000 college students, an event like the one that happened last year was unforeseeable.

As I close out the chapter of my life that included Virginia Tech, I look back over this year and reflect upon what our community went through.

We remember the first phone call that was made to us asking if we were includes. We think back to the sirens and locked-down classrooms that defined that day last year.

But most of all, we remember the 32 of our own who lost their lives innocently and all too early.

Thinking back to the aftermath of the incident, we dealt with great pain and suffering that will change who we are for the rest of our lives.

The world mourned with us as we took the time to grieve. For months, our community was in the thoughts and prayers of so many people across the world. It goes to show just how kind and gentle human beings can be in the wake of tragedy.

Through it all, there are a few things that we can take out of this past year that will live on forever.

We showed the world how strong and courageous the Virginia Tech family can be when troubled times face us. We demonstrated just how special our school is. And most of all, we came together united and stronger than ever.

In all of my life, I don't know if I've ever been prouder to be a part of something than in the aftermath of the tragedy that we faced. To be a Hokie, and to be a part of this family through the past year, has strengthened me as a person. I have learned values and life lessons that will stick with me forever.

I'm sure many of you feel the same way. Virginia Tech will always be a part of who we are - especially because of what we have gone through together.

It's almost unbelievable that a year has passed since the heartache and pain that we endured. And now, we can reflect back on that time and the people who we will forever miss.

But let us not forget how strong we were when we came together and how our Virginia Tech family united and comforted our own. This anniversary marks a time when we can come together again and express just how proud we are to be members of that family.

When our times here is through, last year's incident will be one thing that we will take with us for the rest of our lives.

Because my time is almost over, I know that I'll never forget how much we went through together and how proud I was to be a Hokie.

Together, we can always look back and have something to be proud of in that.