Collegiate Times

Hokies United, a group created in the wake of 9/11, responded to Virginia Tech’s tragedy by working with the administration and students to help along the healing process.

“The work we have done has been very important for the healing process,” said Hokies United Representative, Scott Cheatham. “The administration has been working a double shift trying to work with students and victims and the families of victims. We felt that as students we needed to take the lead and help the administration to organize these kinds of events.”

Support was the main goal for the organization.

“As a group of student leaders, the thing that was most evident was that the only way to deal with something like this was to come together and support each other as members of this community.” said Hokies United Representative, Sumeet Bagai. “Hokies United is not so much about a student group; it’s more about a strong and united Virginia Tech community.”

Hokies United was responsible for planning the first candlelight vigil that took place on the Drillfield on April 17.

“The first event that we planned was the candlelight vigil that took place on April 17,” Cheatham said. “We felt that was an important event that could bring the community together and it ended up being more powerful than we could have ever imagined.”

Hokies United also took the time to work with other members of the Blacksburg community to publicize a number of events in which members of the Virginia Tech community can participate for a bit of fun during this stressful time.

“We have publicized events like free movies with Regal Movie theaters for students, but the main events that we organized were things like the candlelight vigil, the picnic that was held on April 21 and the event that will be held tonight on the Drillfield,” Bagai said, “All of our efforts and planned events work towards bringing all members of the community together.”

Tonight on the Drillfield, Hokies United has organized an event that will starts at 6 p.m. and will last until 7:30 p.m. The event will include a number of a cappella groups as well as step dance performances.

“The idea behind this event was to have one last gathering before everyone leaves for the summer,” Cheatham said. “We’ve invited a wide spectrum of entertainers and hopefully the community will come together and enjoy some of Blacksburg local talent.”

Hokies United also had an exclusive Hokies United Memorial T-shirt, which will allow members of the community to show their support for the university.

“The T-shirt is only $5 and will be previewed today at the Drillfield event,” said Hokie United representative Adeel Khan. “It will be on sale this Saturday at university bookstores.”

The proceeds of this T-shirt will be going to the Hokie Spirit Memorial fund. This fund will use the profits to cover expenses of assistance to victims and their families, grief counseling, memorials and comfort expenses.

“There were really two main reasons that make the T-shirt important. First, all of the proceeds from the shirt will go to the Hokies Memorial fund and purchasing this is an easy way for people to support the fund and the community,” Bagai said. “The second reason is that this T-shirt is symbolic; anyone anywhere in the nation or even the world can show their support to the Virginia Tech community.”

However, perhaps the most important aspect of Hokies United is their plans for the future of Virginia Tech students.

“We plan on having an annual candlelight vigil every year,” Khan said. “Hokies United will still be around to respond to the communities needs and ensure that the students will be able to heal and support one another.”

“We, as a community, are only as strong as we allow ourselves to be,” Bagai said. “We are never going to be able to forget, but it’s important to remember that even when we return to our routines in the fall that we continue to support each other.”