Sarah Dugas
Share
Sarah Dugas, a freshman at Virginia Tech, died on Saturday, March 16, at her home in Virginia Beach.
During her first year at Virginia Tech, Dugas became a political science major and rushed the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She received a bid and pledged ZTA in spring of 2013.
Kelsey Edelmann, an English major and close friend, described Dugas as outgoing and energetic, with an infectious good mood. In high school, Dugas participated in Student Council, leadership workshop and the soccer team, and she was also the manager of the school's swim team.
The official cause of death has not been released; check the Collegiate Times for updates.
A version of this article appeared in the Mar 16 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 71 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
This should not be publicized. You have no information on the story and don't understand the severity. Please remove this story before this becomes an issue.
Reply to this Top
Everything within this article is objective and there is noting disparaging. As a Virginia Tech student I am offended that you would criticize the people that make these tragedies known to me.
I will be attending the Candlelight Vigil on the Drillfield to mourn the passing of Sami Ullah, Sarah Dugas, and Bryan Baugh and it is some consolation to me that they will be remembered by their communities instead of passing away in anonymity.
Reply to this Top
There's going to be a vigil for her and the two others who lost their lives over spring break. It's public and there's no reason why it shouldnt be published. Suicide is a sad thing but we can't deny its existence. If anything Sarah's death and the those like hers should be known to people so that we can help prevent such tragedies. We shouldn't act as if nothing has happened. That would be a mistake.
Reply to this Top
There's going to be a vigil for her and the two others who lost their lives over spring break. It's public and there's no reason why it shouldnt be published. Suicide is a sad thing but we can't deny its existence. If anything Sarah's death and the those like hers should be known to people so that we can help prevent such tragedies. We shouldn't act as if nothing has happened. That would be a mistake.
Reply to this Top
There's going to be a vigil for her and the two others who lost their lives over spring break. It's public and there's no reason why it shouldnt be published. Suicide is a sad thing but we can't deny its existence. If anything Sarah's death and the those like hers should be known to people so that we can help prevent such tragedies. We shouldn't act as if nothing has happened. That would be a mistake.
Reply to this Top
Once again Collegiate Times publishes a story before VT News → University Relations.
As of the present time as I am typing this there is no other story/source other than this newspaper not even a mention in her local area Virginia Beach
Jesus does anyone know the proper handling of a death of a student? University policy/procedures?
As always those that say anything (at least myself) will get in trouble and to get the "This is public knowledge (it would have come out)"; "People have the right the know (in order to grieve and comfort the family
We are a community, The VT community)"
"This is not appropriate time." etc.
That is funny because if things were public knowledge then why is it if you fill out a FOIA request or FEPRA request for a student's educational records (my records BTW); the school gets all defensive and say "You can't have/know that" and proceed to hide behind the various laws & regulations that are to inform the public.
Don't believe me? Try asking VT for any record about [its] work on drones
Remember a certain saga in the late 1990's US v. Morrison (Brzonkala v. Virginia Polytechnic and State Univ)
[sorry Christy]
How about more recently a certain perpetrator that made national and world headlines in mid to late 2000's
Reply to this Top
You my friend absolutley no sense. Death is a public event that's why Sarah it's all over twitter, facebook and instagram as we speak. Your grades are private thats why they're not public (Duh). Furthermore, Virginia Tech's work on drones could you get any more random than that? There's absolutely nothing wrong with this post and for those of you who don't know. Sarah was a victim of suicide. #stopsucicde
Reply to this Top
Victim? No. She was the perpetrator of suicide. Her victims are those she left behind.
Top
Victim? No. She was the perpetrator of suicide. Her victims are those she left behind.
Top
This is the stupidest post I've ever seen on a CT article. And that's saying something.
Reply to this Top
While you can continue to point out the fallacy in my argument (as I will do the same to yours) current students(and future alumni) will continue to blindly follow a university and for what?
Yet I (along with others) will continued to be vilified for simply speaking my mind (an exercise of my right as such) and possibly saying things people just do not want to hear
Reply to this Top
What is wrong with you people!? Your thoughts and prayers should be with this young girls family right now, not how irritated you are that you didn't find out about this sooner, or from what source, or how difficult it is to get information! You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Reply to this Top
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/21528/tech-will-not-have-candlelight-vigil-for-april-16
Same argument but different situations.
Current students did not go through 4/16.
People die every single day.
One life is not more valuable than the other.
Sami Ullah Sarah Dugas and Bryan Baugh
These students while 'young' and having their time cut short are nothing special.
Why do people continue to mourn those they did not know?
Simply because they are 'Hokies'?
What does it accomplish?
Is this a more recent phenomenon?
Are tragic events that always occur the only way that people re-evaluate their existence; values/ beliefs and attitudes toward their fellow man?
Again those who say "This is not the time / This is not appropriate"
Do you know what that 'time' is?
Who appointed 'you' to determine such a time and place.
To family and friends I am sorry for your loss.
However, this university needs to stop glorifying some students deaths while completely ignoring others.
Reply to this Top
Yeeah, some current students were here during the shootings. Not saying we should still have a candlelight vigil, those of us who were here and knew someone who died have our own traditions and memorials. Don't assume that just because it's been almost 6 years, no current students were here that day. We're not all 18-22.
Reply to this Top
Technically some did, like myself. But I'm doing my grad as well as undregrad here. But I'm glad they're done with it.
Reply to this Top
The CT isn't a representative of the university though, so this article does not 'glorify' anything. To be blunt, people are making a bigger deal about a candlelight vigil that one person mentioned, which wasn't even in the article. In no way does that mean this article represents the university.
Finally, if you have grief with the university for holding a vigil, take it up with them, or just don't attend. It isn't mandatory.
Once again, CT is not a representative of Virginia Tech, so there is no reason to bicker about that on here.
Reply to this Top
I am just wondering, but I know one of her siblings and I don't want to ask her. But what exactly happened?
Reply to this Top
Without all you idiots posting on this story, people would have no idea the "severity" of her death. For all I know she could have died from being sick or a tragic sudden aneurysm. The newspaper did nothing wrong by saying she passed and they did not share any details they shouldn't have. In fact most student newspapers won't mentioned the cause of death when it is a suicide.
Maybe instead of arguing about what they did wrong, you focus on the young woman who has left us. It's likely none of you even knew her anyway. Also, if you are going to post accusatory things, at least have the balls to post your name with it.
Reply to this Top
Your family are in my prays now.
Reply to this Top
How is the university ignoring 4/16 deaths? They held a candlelight vigil for 5 years and hold a memorial 5k every year and will continue to do so. Not to mention almost every piece of clothing VT sold after 4/16 had a remembrance ribbon on it. What are you talking about?
Reply to this Top
Students should know that there are professional, confidential counseling services available at Cook Counseling for anyone who feels overwhelmed or depressed. Please reach out for help.
Reply to this Top
Why do we, as students, need to know about certain things that don't affect our education and have no immediate threat on our well being?
If you think the student body is blindly following Virginia Tech and that they hide information that is VITAL to or well being and education here, then you are wrong.
If you disagree with Virginia Tech or a majority of the student body so much, then you can always leave the school. You're really just hurting yourself in the end by saying negative things because you'll be receiving your degree from here.
Reply to this Top
Why do we, as students, need to know about certain things that don't affect our education and have no immediate threat on our well being?
If you think the student body is blindly following Virginia Tech and that they hide information that is VITAL to or well being and education here, then you are wrong.
If you disagree with Virginia Tech or a majority of the student body so much, then you can always leave the school. You're really just hurting yourself in the end by saying negative things because you'll be receiving your degree from here.
Reply to this Top
What deaths does VT glorify?
Reply to this Top
Please take the negative comments somewhere else. One of my best friends just died. Have some respect
Reply to this Top
Calm down everyone one. You are giving the trolls exactly what they want. CT trolls are just in it for kicks and get off seeing people butthurt.
Reply to this Top
Unfortunately, Cooke Counseling provides only high level help and more often than not refers a person out to the community doctors who have litte to no capacity to see new patients. So, where can they really turn?
Reply to this Top
Kelsey Edelmann is also part of CT Staff and 'writes' opinion articles for The Collegiate Times .
Funny how that was not brought up.
Reply to this Top
because this is applicable.
Reply to this Top
I'm not sure why this is relevant or why you decided to type 'writes'. this girl was a dear friend of the deceased and you are incredibly ignorant and rude.
Reply to this Top
this girl was a friend of the deceased. I'm not sure why you felt the need to write this ignorant and rude comment or why you typed 'writes' but you're a jackass.
Reply to this Top
My Heart goes out to for the family and friends of this girl. She will be missed. As a tight-knit community, Hokienation has always and will always ban together in tragedy, NO MATTER THE SIZE. This girl mattered to people that go here, and for that reason, she should be given a time of remembrance. Hiding or not reporting something like this is not a good solution in my mind. Prayers and thoughts will be with her family as well as the other 2 Hokies that will not be returning to school.
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
That is not true, my daughter went there several times after the shootings. They were very available, and helpful.
Reply to this Top
thats not true. Cook counseling has 2 pyschiatrists and enough counselors that you can get an appointment almost instantly if you can't see the doctor soon enough.
Reply to this Top
Sara you will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers go to your family! May God Bless you and give you strength and faith!!
Reply to this Top
y'all are fighting over someone who has died show so some respect. rest in piece beautiful angle.
Reply to this Top
If you're going to misspell angel with angle, atleast exchange "beautiful" with "acute"
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
Virginia Tech Campus Walk: http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=2248
Reply to this Top
Y don't u mind your own business. It's public knowledge. Let her friends mourn her loss.
Reply to this Top
We have nt heard from you since our last visit here. I am still in shock with this news. It is so sad for one so young to be gone from us. Please get back in touch. We love you. mvt
Reply to this Top
Sarah was one of the most brightest girls out there, from the smile that never left her face to the positive additude that never seemed to fade! She was one of the happiest students. Sarah was envolved in many extracurricular activities in high school and she was an intelligent freshman in college. She was beautiful in every way possible. The fact that certain people out there can push others to there limits is sickening. These bullies, that have nothing better to do than to watch fellow teens deteriorate, are cruel minded and should suffer from guilt of treating others this way. The way Sarah hid her feelings behind her smile has left friends and family confused with many questions, yet no answers. Please keep Sarah and her family in her prayers! We love you Sarah! You will be missed greatly forever. I can't wait to see you when my time comes. But for now, rest in paradise my love (:
Help with suicide prevention
Visit ineedalighthouse.org
Don't be afraid to talk with friends, family or teachers! We are always here for you <3
Reply to this Top
I think everyone should stop harassing the person who didn't agree with posting this information yet. Maybe her family wasn't ready to deal with the attention media would bring at this time of horrible grief and loss or maybe they did wanted it said in her remembrance. Either way we should all be respectful of each other and remember that you never know the whole story. Be kind.
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
You can't have information on drones because much of it is export-controlled, restricted work. They're not going to give a random, tin-foil wearing person, that information just because YOU HAVE TO KNOW!
Reply to this Top
How come once she passed she suddenly became everybody's best friend? Where was the love and support while she was still with us? Respect to her family and may we all think carefully about our "friends" in her honor.
Reply to this Top
pray without ceasing, you will all be judged by the King of Kings!
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
Here's the Virginian Pilot article:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?n=sarah-dugas&pid=163729573#fbLoggedOut
Reply to this Top
Don't you think this is a little inconsiderate? Just because someone wasn't her best friend in the entire world, doesn't mean that she didn't impact their life in some way. In some cases people drift apart, and that's okay it happens in life, but that doesn't change memories, or make this any less sad for anyone who's life she touched. I don't know why you decided to come in here and diminish this girls life, by complaining and being irritated that this girl had so many people love, know her, and respect, people are sad, and miss her so how about you just pray for her family, and leave your condescending comments to yourself.
Reply to this Top
I agree, I was here 4-16, and I had many friends that are no longer here due to that day. I remember them everyday and have my own way of remembering them. The vigils were a way for those of the VT community to try to find a reason for the senseless violence of that day, to find a reason why I cant see my friends anymore, to find meaning, to find anything to help understand the deep pain. Losing someone without being able to say goodbye, or tell them they are loved, or losing your son or daughter without warning, is an indescribable pain that never goes away. The kind of pain that made me have to take a 3 year break from school due to anxiety and depression. I wouldn't doubt that this is a common back story to many students who lost friends and loved ones, and some can never get through the pain enough to return to their previous lives, and those that can pick up the pieces are never the same. we're not glorifying anyone's life or death over anyone else's (that's rather morbid and you should be ashamed of yourself), we all grieve in our own way and if a vigil is how you choose to do so then that is your right as an American citizen to do so(1st amendment brother - right to assemble peaceably). So… continued…
Reply to this Top
Continued..….please don't say defamatory remarks about people that have been lost, whether the cause be inane violence or a tragic accident or suicide, those lives lost were people and those who loved them should be able to grieve their loss in peace. the friends and families left to bear the burden of grief should be able to do so however they want, without others throwing salt in the wound and causing more unwarranted senseless pain. Please have empathy for the loved ones left behind and think about their loss over your own agenda. And yes I know the 1st amendment also protects the freedom of speech, and I do respect that, but please have a heart and respect what these people are going through, and try not to cause more unnecessary pain.
Reply to this Top
Nobody really knows what happened. Unlikely that someone with her confidence makes a decision to end her life. For everyone who assumes that suicide was that of which she chose, you obviously didn't know her. I didn't either but I know someone who did. For those who choose to criticize the people with fears or concerns, why are you reading the comments nevertheless commenting? Move on and keep your negative crap to yourselves. There are thousands of people on campus that you can make miserable with your negativity. Have respect you spineless, heartless soul. People have families that read this these posts!
Reply to this Top
Unfortunately the fact that she was confident does not mean she did not choose suicide.
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
How did this young girl die ? So tragic. 18 . Yikes ! :(
Reply to this Top
I was able to see how many lives Sarah touched tonight at the celebration of her life. What a great friend to so many that will truly be missed.
Reply to this Top
she was an hero
Reply to this Top
Agree, Cooke gives appointments quickly and provides high level support for various situations quite well. However, if you need more specific or in depth continued counseling to handle something, they normally provide referrals to outside doctors. Just my personal experience.
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
I will be pretty sure We've see this very same form of assertion elsewhere, it should be gaining popularity while using world. karl adams http://seoservicesuk.me/?p=1%2
Reply to this Top
mzqshv <a href="http://cpreec.org/biog/ralphlaurensale.html" title="cheap ralph lauren polo shirts">cheap ralph lauren polo shirts</a>
Reply to this Top