Last year's homecoming festivities started out just like any other. The week was filled with different events throughout the community, students in Greek life tried to figure out how they were going to make it through the week as popping continued, and alumni geared up to come back to Oklahoma State.
On October 23, 2015, things were gearing up for the annual Sea of Orange parade which occurs the morning of the homecoming game. On that fateful morning, things didn't go as planned and took a grizzly turn for the worst. What was usually a festive and fun show of spirit turned into a nightmare. On that morning, Adacia Chambers, a Stillwater resident that did not attend the university decided to drive her car into the huge crowd of people. 4 were killed, many others were injured, and countless lives were changed forever.
That night, Oklahoma State University did what we do best and banded together in the time of conflict and sorrow. It's hard to imagine how the families of those who were injured could possibly even begin to feel. We held a candlelight vigil and prayed for those who needed it. Things were difficult, especially since the reason behind why or how this could have happened was still largely unknown.
Time went on, and now here we are, already 1 year later. We are in the midst of homecoming 2016, and this week's homecoming festivities have already started. We are known for having America's Greatest Homecoming, after all. Thi isn't another article about us banding together in times of sorrow, though we did do and continue to do that. instead, this is an article bragging on the Oklahoma State student body and something I think we continue to do great. And that's simply to remember what happened and not to let it die down. In the days and weeks following any tragedy, it's easy to remember and pray for those situations. What about six months later? One year later? Two years later? Five years later? All that time in between those milestones. OSU has been stricken with it's fair share of tragedy in the last two decades. But, what we are great at is honoring those whose lives have been lost or forever changed, and not forgetting it years later.
Since the tragedy last year, I haven't heard people quit talking about it, and it is especially sensitive to people this week as we are gearing up for Homecoming 2016. Let's continue our fight for justice. Let's continue honoring those who deserve. Most importantly, let us never forget.
