Archive for February 17th, 2008
February 17th, 2008
I went to my roller derby league’s practice tonight and — like I’ve been quite a few times in the past few days — was ambushed with hugs. I hadn’t seen a lot of my Rockford Rage derby sisters since before Thursday, so the embraces were plentiful.
I didn’t really feel like skating at first, so I watched my league-mates zip around the floor. Before the end of the night, I was restless to join them.
Since classes at NIU have been canceled for the entire week, I’ll probably be skating quite a bit. It will keep me busy. The league is also planning a benefit that will go toward the NIU memorial fund, and wants to do something special for NIU students at the next roller derby bout on March 8. It makes me happy to see those girls, some of them NIU grads, pulling together to accomplish some good.
A lot of businesses and organizations have decided to help NIU students during this time. May they be blessed for their kindness.
February 17th, 2008
This is how Victor E. Huskie, the NIU mascot, was depicted in the Register Star today by Rockford cartoonist Bruce Quast.
Copyright by the Rockford Register Star. Used with permission.
While we go through the aftermath of this event, it may help to remember Victor in a happier moment. In the video below, Victor dances as the NIU marching band plays “Hey Jude” during a game last year. Watch it. It will make you smile.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/PXnwdJuBIAk" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
February 17th, 2008
Since leaving NIU on Thursday, I haven’t been anywhere but work or home in Rockford. I worked Thursday and Friday, but since Friday evening, I’ve shut myself into my house for a little solitude.
This morning, I left the house and went to breakfast with family in Rockford. It seemed strange to look around the restaurant and see so many smiling faces. Understandably, life goes on as normal for people who had no connections to this tragedy.
It’s a different story for those who lost loved ones, for students who lost a sense of security, and for the DeKalb community, which will for a long time be reeling from this devastating blow.
My coworkers have also felt the pain of NIU’s loss. A Register Star photographer sent to the university after the shooting showed me a button pin someone gave him while he was there. It has a dove on it and a message that reads “Peace be with you.” He cried when he talked about the students he came into contact with.
On Thursday and Friday, so many colleagues came over to offer me a kind word or just to put a hand on my shoulder. I wasn’t able to walk through the newsroom without someone stopping me and giving me a hug.
This event, as heart-wrenching as it may be for the NIU community, has drawn us all together. It’s comforting to be surrounded by such a strong group of support.
February 17th, 2008
The lyrics of the “Huskie Fight Song” hold a new meaning now. Click here to listen, and sing along.
HUSKIE FIGHT SONG
Huskies, come on you Huskies
and make a score or two
Huskies, you’re Northern Huskies
the team to pull us through
Forward, together forward
there’s victory in view
Come on you Huskies, Fight on you
Huskies and win for N.I.U.
Lyrics by Francis Stroup
Music by A. Neil Annas
