By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: April 16, 2008

As many of you know, I teach a class at Virginia Tech. As such, I’m on campus twice a week working with students and faculty on a regular basis. By the beginning of the school year, it was obvious that the students and faculty had moved on from the tragedy that happened on April 16th. That’s not to say that the pain was completely gone. But, most everyone seemed to have figured out a way to cope; to move on. I know I had.

But, the one year anniversary of the massacre has brought back some of the emotion and horror we all felt on that day, along with some new emotions.

I was back at Tech Wednesday morning, covering the remembrance service. I saw many with tears in their eyes, struggling to keep it together. Even Governor Kaine’s voice sounded a little shaky at the beginning of his remarks.

Each victim’s name was read aloud during the service along with a list of adjectives, anecdotes, and accomplishments that painted a better picture of them all. We heard things like “devoted son,” “dearly loved husband,” “creative, insightful, individualistic,” “tournament winning gamer,” “and “talented artist.” That was really just a snippet of the wonderful and at times funny things said about each victim. It was hard to listen to the descriptions and not imagine what their lives were like and what they’d be like right now if a deranged student hadn’t opened fire that cold spring morning.

I stood there wondering what would be read about my loved ones, like my mother, and how hard it would be to listen to that knowing that I would never again experience her infectious laugh, reasoned advice, or loving touch. The feeling was gut-wrenching.

But even more than the pain and sorrow, I was struck with another more unusual emotion: optimism. I know it sounds strange in the face of such sadness and loss, but consider all that has happened in the one year since the shooting tragedy. Virginia Tech’s administration, faculty, staff, alumni and student body have rallied. They persevered. They have even flourished. Thousands of students have devoted their attention to community service, donating more than 500,000 hours to bettering communities around the world. Many of the victims’ family members have dedicated themselves to creating safer college campuses by advocating tougher gun laws and a reform of the mental health system. Our elected leaders have heard those family members’ cries and acted. In short order, the General Assembly passed the most comprehensive reform of Virginia’s mental health system we’ve seen in generations. And, our colleges and universities moved quickly to make their campuses more secure.

Yes, the pain is still there. It probably will be for a long time. But when you consider the resilience of the Tech community, how can you not feel a sense of optimism? It is uplifting to see a group shaken to its core rebound. It inspires hope in our fellow brothers and sisters. It demonstrates what we can do when faced with unimaginable horror. It fills me with optimism.

Let’s go Hokies!