Both the silence and the line of people walking grew along North Jordan Avenue Wednesday night.
Candles in hand, chapter members gathered in front of their houses, waiting for the growing line of people to pass before they joined in the procession. From the intersection of Jordan and Law Lane, the line reached back well onto North Jordan on both sides of the street.
The air was cool and crisp. The sky was clear; stars shined brightly from above. Cars continued moving as normal. But among the people walking, only the sounds of footsteps could be heard, with a few words spoken here and there.
“It's huge,” one woman said about the amount of people in the procession.
Around 9:30 p.m., about half an hour after the walk began at Fishers Court, the people began gathering around Showalter Fountain. About 10 minutes later, some pushed forward toward the steps of the IU Auditorium, silently waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Wednesday's vigil honored the life of 18-year-old Theta Phi Alpha member Amanda Ludwig, who died in a car accident on March 7. Amanda's mother, Elaine, also died in the accident.
Phi Kappa Sigma member Kyle O'Neil said he was incredibly moved seeing the Greek community come together for the vigil, especially during the walk down North Jordan.
“It was literally just lines and lines,” he said. “I thought it was very moving.”
Once everyone found their place around the fountain, the sisters of Theta Phi, wearing black dresses and holding white roses, made their way onto the steps at the entrance of the auditorium. One sister lit a candle; the light grew as the flame was passed around from candle to candle.
Madi Taylor, president of Theta Phi, spoke first, her voice loud and clear without a microphone. She thanked attendees for coming to the vigil and for the support throughout the week.
“It means so much to me that you are all here tonight,” she said. “Tonight we remember them both (Amanda and Elaine).”
Taylor led everyone in a special ritual for the loss of a member.
“She was a strong and beautiful link in our eternal chain,” Taylor said.
Following a moment of silence, the candlelight began shining and growing throughout the crowd. Several speakers then shared more kind words and memories about Amanda.
Amanda's “big sister” said Amanda was the best friend she ever had and was lucky to have had Amanda as her “little.”
“Out of everyone in the sorority, Amanda levitated toward me,” she said. “There was never a dull moment. The friendship you gave me will never be replaced.”
When Amanda walked into a room, her smile was the first thing her big said she noticed. Amanda was also a source of encouragement, especially when she said she was nervous about graduate schools. Amanda then looked up every school her big was considering and reassured her big that she'd be OK.
“She was more like a big to me than I ever was to her,” she said.
Amanda's big also read a message from her boyfriend, who serves in the Marines. They'd been together four years.
“I was so lucky to have a girl like her to make the distance work,” she read.
Amanda had a beautiful smile and he would always get lost in her eyes, he said in his message. When Amanda couldn't yet drive, Elaine would drive so he and Amanda could be together. While he was at boot camp, she wrote him letters every day.
“She's my kind of girl,” he said. “She's my love and my life and I will miss her more than anything.”
One of Theta Phi's new members then spoke. She was supposed to live with Amanda next year. She said losing Amanda was like losing the wind in her.
“Amanda, we miss you,” she said. “You're our guardian angel and I promise you we'll make you so proud.”
Like all the other speakers, she commented on Amanda's smile and caring personality.
“All I ever saw Amanda do was care about other people,” she said. “Amanda was the most selfless person I had ever been privileged to know. I know right now she's looking down on us with that smile.”
