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P O W E L L, W y o. - In keeping with a long tradition of coming together after crises, Northwest College students are organizing a candlelight vigil Tuesday, April 24, and invite the Big Horn Basin community to join them.
Students will gather at 8:30 p.m. around the carillon on the campus mall to reflect on the shootings last Monday on the Virginia Tech campus and to honor the victims, their friends and families.
The evening begins with music provided by a few student musicians. NWC Student Senate President Greg Mosness, from Big Timber, Mont., will open the vigil as candles are passed out to participants. Others who will address the gathering include a local pastor, NWC faculty and students, one of whom is Nolan Goubeaux of Cody.
Mosness said the NWC Student Senate is hoping to jump start donations to a fund that will be sent to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund set up at Virginia Tech to aid in the healing process and generate financial support. The fund will be used to cover costs incurred in grief counseling, memorials, communication and comfort expenses, plus incidental needs.
"I'm sure every student at Northwest has played through their minds over and over again the emotional devastation they and their families would be feeling if this had happened here," Mosness said. "If we feel this so keenly even when we're clear across the country, it's hard to comprehend the grief that must be overwhelming the families and friends of the Virginia Tech victims. We can't undo the hurt, but we can help the healing. I hope the community will join us in this effort."
Donations to the Northwest College Contribution to the Virginia Tech Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund can be sent to NWC Hokie Fund, 231 W. Sixth St., Powell, WY 82435.
Click here to read more about the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund and NWC President Miles LaRowe's response to the Virginia Tech tragedy.