NIU tribute

1 comment February 16th, 2008

I found this touching tribute video on YouTube.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/sR9ngDdT4d8" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Memorial fund

Add comment February 16th, 2008

The DeKalb and Sycamore chambers of commerce have established an NIU memorial fund through the DeKalb County Community Foundation. To donate, go here and click on the NIU ribbon.

Following a discussion on the NIU Dog Pound forum, students are submitting designs for a T-shirt that will commemorate the NIU tragedy. Click here for the thread. If you’re on Facebook, join the group “NIU T-shirts to Support NIU Memorial Fund.”

An act of courage

Add comment February 16th, 2008

Jeff Merkel, whose story appeared in the Register Star and on rrstar.com today, is an acquaintance of mine. I met him last semester in a media class.

I didn’t know about Jeff’s brave actions following the shooting until Friday, when I saw his photo pop into the newsroom publishing system.

His staunchness in the face of fear is an inspiration and an example that all NIU students should follow. Jeff offered help tending to the physical wounds of this tragedy, but we can all help heal the emotional wounds. We must stand strong and support one another. As NIU President John Peters said, “We will get through this together.”

Keeping friends close

Add comment February 16th, 2008

Following the tragedy at NIU, I received more than 60 phone calls, text messages and e-mails from friends, family and fellow students. Because of the gridlocked cell phone towers in DeKalb on Thursday, more than half of the calls I received went to voicemail.

The calls stopped briefly around 11:30 Thursday night, then began flooding in again around 6 a.m. on Friday. On Friday, my battery became nearly drained, and I carried a cell phone charger around with me, plugging my phone in whenever I was near an outlet.

Many of the first calls Thursday afternoon were from panicked relatives or friends asking if I was safe. My mother was distraught — her call the first to reach me as I hid in a locked classroom — when I couldn’t tell her if I knew that I was out of danger. My best friend sobbed with relief when she heard my voice on the other line.

A member of my roller derby league called me about 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, saying that she and my other teammates had been trying to reach me for over an hour. I recruited her to call the others to relay the message that I was unhurt and that I loved them all.

Since Friday morning, the calls have been to inquire about my well being. None of my friends have asked me to talk about what happened. They’ve simply said, “I am here for you.” It doesn’t seem like much, but that’s the best thing a friend can offer another friend.

My friends have heard me break down as I try to make sense of the chaos of the situation. They have grieved with me for the victims and prayed with me for their friends and families. They have hugged me and have sat in silence with me when words were insufficient for expression.

Now, more than ever before, I want to be near the ones I love.