By Jill Campbell
Unity was the central theme throughout Krentzman Quad Saturday, as a candlelight vigil brought students together to observe the third anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
“The student body of Northeastern University is the future of Boston,” said Boston Fire Department Captain Paul Carey, during his keynote speech. “We must all come together to bring an end to the violence in our streets and attempt to make the world a better place to raise our children.”
The event was organized by several campus groups including the Student Government Association (SGA). It included speeches by Tina Penman and Heidi Buchanan, representing the College Republicans and College Democrats, respectively.
Buchanan compared the events of September 11 to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy. Penman connected the tragedy of September 11 to the student community with mention of former student Candace Lee Williams, a Northeastern student who died onboard American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to hit the World Trade Center towers in New York City.
“The best part was definitely the speeches the girls made,” said Olga Shokh, a sophomore pharmacy major. “This [vigil] was very emotional, especially since I’m from New York. I remember watching TV and how the buildings collapsed.”
Afterwards, Buchanan said the vigil may have changed the public perception of the Northeastern student body.
“I think it shows a great amount of compassion that some people may not have thought our community had after the [Super Bowl] riots,” Buchanan said.
After the speeches, the congregation viewed a video presentation, compiled by Channel WBZ-4 of Boston, which chronicled the events of September 11 and the subsequent relief efforts. Once the video ended, SGA President Andres Vargas requested a four-minute period of silence in remembrance of the lives lost, while the screen showed images ranging from the burning towers to support for America from other countries.
“When we began planning this, I wanted to have a second of silence for every life lost,” Vargas said. “Until I realized that would take nearly an hour.”
The images were an emotional part of the presentation for some students.
“It was very well put together,” said freshman political science major Nicole Cheikh. “[The best part] was one picture of a firefighter in dust next to what looked like an angel. That’s what it looked like to me, and it was just really moving.”
The Downbeats, a Northeastern a capella group, provided music for the vigil, opening with the national anthem and asking the audience to join in a final chorus of “Amazing Grace” to close the program. As the vigil drew to a close, students held and comforted each other.
“I think [the attendance of the students] is a testament to the character of the student body,” Vargas said. “It truly shows that we will never forget.”
