2008 Woodie Awards
Vigil honors NIU shooting victims
Speeches read to honor fallen students
Rick Kambic/Student Government Reporter
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: News
About 400 students attended Sunday night's candlelight vigil to remember the five victims of the Feb. 14 shooting at Northern Illinois University.
Three speeches were given, and a candle for each victim was lit in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
Eastern student Maggie Belpedio, an early childhood education major, submitted a speech written about NIU victim Dan Parmenter. The speech was from Parmenter's friends, who are also friends with Belpedio.
Amanda Raz, one of the vigil's organizers, read the speech in his honor.
The speech depicted the authors' feelings of brotherhood despite only being classmates and neighbors.
"On Tuesday, the six of us, his lifelong friends, carried Dan's casket out of the funeral and into the hearse," Raz read. "In our trembling hands laid our brother in his permanent bed."
The speech began to depict the scene in the classroom at Cole Hall on Feb. 14.
"His story is just starting to be reported by the press, but his final actions really define what it means to be a hero and a friend," Raz said. "After the first gunshot ran out, he grabbed his girlfriend and took her to the floor. He used his big frame to shield and protect her."
The ballroom was silent, and people stayed motionless. Students' eyes stayed fixed on Raz or roamed the floor.
"He was hit five times," Raz read. "His girlfriend was also hit but survived, and if he hadn't used his body to shield her, she more than likely would not be here today."
Raz paused, and her voice trembled as she continued.
"Those of us fortunate to know Dan wished we had been there to jump in front of him and save his life," she said. "We would have done the same for his girlfriend, or even a complete stranger."
Student Senate Speaker Megan Ogulnick, also an organizer of the event, was initially cautious of presenting the speech, but she felt the unfortunate story would help students appreciate life.
"I thought it was a very important part of the vigil," Ogulnick said. "Instead of just showing names, years and towns, it allowed those who attended to get to know one of the victims personally."
Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, also spoke. He referred to the passing of Eastern student Mark Schwartz on Friday and how students are connected by this school and age group.
The five candles were taken outside and used to light smaller candles given to students who attended the event.
Rick Kambic can be reached at 581-7942 or at rwkambic@eiu.edu.
Three speeches were given, and a candle for each victim was lit in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
Eastern student Maggie Belpedio, an early childhood education major, submitted a speech written about NIU victim Dan Parmenter. The speech was from Parmenter's friends, who are also friends with Belpedio.
Amanda Raz, one of the vigil's organizers, read the speech in his honor.
The speech depicted the authors' feelings of brotherhood despite only being classmates and neighbors.
"On Tuesday, the six of us, his lifelong friends, carried Dan's casket out of the funeral and into the hearse," Raz read. "In our trembling hands laid our brother in his permanent bed."
The speech began to depict the scene in the classroom at Cole Hall on Feb. 14.
"His story is just starting to be reported by the press, but his final actions really define what it means to be a hero and a friend," Raz said. "After the first gunshot ran out, he grabbed his girlfriend and took her to the floor. He used his big frame to shield and protect her."
The ballroom was silent, and people stayed motionless. Students' eyes stayed fixed on Raz or roamed the floor.
"He was hit five times," Raz read. "His girlfriend was also hit but survived, and if he hadn't used his body to shield her, she more than likely would not be here today."
Raz paused, and her voice trembled as she continued.
"Those of us fortunate to know Dan wished we had been there to jump in front of him and save his life," she said. "We would have done the same for his girlfriend, or even a complete stranger."
Student Senate Speaker Megan Ogulnick, also an organizer of the event, was initially cautious of presenting the speech, but she felt the unfortunate story would help students appreciate life.
"I thought it was a very important part of the vigil," Ogulnick said. "Instead of just showing names, years and towns, it allowed those who attended to get to know one of the victims personally."
Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, also spoke. He referred to the passing of Eastern student Mark Schwartz on Friday and how students are connected by this school and age group.
The five candles were taken outside and used to light smaller candles given to students who attended the event.
Rick Kambic can be reached at 581-7942 or at rwkambic@eiu.edu.
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