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about 5 months ago

Penn State Gathers to Honor Newtown Victims


Amid candlelight, the Penn State community gathered once again on the Old Main patio.

On Sunday night, roughly 1,000 Penn State students and State College residents convened to honor the victims of the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut.

Penn State a capella group Coda Conduct softly sung a rendition of Phillip Phillips’ song, “Home” to open the somber vigil. A group of students who call Newtown home expressed their thoughts and feelings about the terrible situation that was engulfed their town.

One student from Newtown asserted that when she heard the news, she just wanted to go home, but “then I thought about the 26 victims who can’t go home,” she said. Another Newtown native expressed how close-knit her community has become since Friday’s unthinkable massacre.

“This is our town. We are united,” she confidently stated. “We are Newtown strong.”

After a student powerfully vocalized “Amazing Grace,” the event organizers read the names and ages of all 26 victims. The tears in the crowd became more prevalent after each name was read. An extended moment of silence followed.

Ryan Brown, the Student Black Caucus President and one of the students who helped organize the event, addressed with the crowd. “This isn’t about our differences. This is about the things that make us the same. We all have one common hope,” he said.

Then, Kevin Gallagher, a Penn State student and cousin of Newtown victim, Benjamin Wheeler, stepped forward and shared his thoughts with the crowd. He was courageously composed. His voice was calm.

“The thing that I’ve heard most from people who’ve found out about my situation is that they don’t know what to say… Because there’s not much to say. There really isn’t,” he said. “I can only imagine how much pain those families in Connecticut, especially my cousin’s, are feeling right now, knowing that they have to bury one of our youngest members on Thursday.”

Gallagher had some words of advice for the silent, stoic crowd.

“When you’re done here and you get home after your finals and you take care of whatever it is you have to take of, get home and just hug your family. Hug your family, tell them you love them, and make them know that you need them just as much as they need you,” he said in the most sincere manner.

“Because I, along with those several families in Connecticut, are going to find that out this week. Just how important family truly is to everybody.

“Please don’t for yours.”

image Dave Cole
Student Life - Student Life represents all the elements of the college experience at Penn State University. Creepy professors, drink specials, the location of the secret Coca-Cola machine, tomfoolery, chicanery, and bedlam. All these and more. Read more