i can't begin to understand the grief and sadness many students, faculty, parents and families are feeling right now. i only know my own pain, the pain of former virginia tech student, the anxiety of the sister of a current student, the anger of a born and raised virginian. luckily my loved ones are safe and unharmed, which i am incredibly thankful for.

it could have all been different: my little brother was sitting in a class on monday morning, a class that the shooter, seung-hui cho, was also enrolled in. what if the shooter had gone to HIS OWN classroom instead of the classrooms in another building? what if he had started his rampage in the english class he shared with my brother? i cry each time i think about it. it is absolutely unfathomable, i can't begin to imagine the pain and grief i would be feeling, that others are currently being forced to go through. the confusion and disbelief, the anger and intense debilitating sadness. every bit of my heart goes out to those families and friends. i wish i could help ease their pain, if only just a little bit.

i am in pain that tragic and senseless acts like this happen in the first place, and that they happened so close to my home and my heart. i am sad that my alma mater has been forever stained, that families are hurting in ways i can't begin to relate to. i am angry at gun laws that make no sense, at the ability of one deranged mind to commit horrific acts of violence.

but i am also proud. proud of my alma mater, proud of my brother's courage and ability to cope, proud of the support and spirit that has swept the country and even the world. proud that i am and always will be a hokie.