It’s hard to think about the NIU shooting, mainly because it’s tough to imagine something like that could happen on a college campus, or that it took place so nearby, so close to home for some of you, and maybe even affected people you know.

But probably the toughest part is remembering those who died, as they were the same age as us and killed doing the same thing we do everyday.

The victims:

Daniel Parmenter was a sophomore in finance at the university from Westchester, Ill.

Catalina Garcia was 20 years old and from Cicero, Ill. She had wanted to go into teaching.

Ryanne Mace was a sophomore from Carpentersville, Ill., who was studying psychology.

Julianna Gehant was a 32 year-old student in elementary education. She had spent 12 years in the military before entering NIU.

Gayle Dubowski was a sophomore from Carol Stream, Ill., and majored in anthropology.

They are dead because they did what good students do: go to class, in this case geology.

To say it’s tragic, would only be a start.

Jordan Harp

Senior in MCB

Having sold popcorn and camped in forests (through Boy Scouts) with Dan Parmenter, the NIU shootings last year really hit home for me.

His death was unique because of the integrity and valor he preserved till the very end, diving in front of his girlfriend after seeing the shooter barge in his geology class.

Steven Kazmierczak, the perpetrator of this tragedy was a student at NIU and the University of Illinois.

Although many say that Steve preferred the lonesome life, some who knew him as a TA have called this Deans Scholar ‘helpful, nice and even scholarly.’

Most of us experience some degree of loneliness when we come to college, whether we’re with a big group of people or alone in our room.

It’s not hard to feel isolated, even at such a big university.

Even while studying at a college with the biggest Greek system and one of the biggest student organization networks in the world, we can all benefit from expending the little free time we have meeting all sorts of interesting people and forging the friendships of our lives.

If we ever do happen to see that person that seems sad or lonely, let’s not avoid our chance to change the world.

We could very well be helping Steve Kazmierczak become the great social worker he could have been.

Jerry Vachaparambil

Freshman in psychology

While lamenting my lack of a date this Valentine’s Day, it’s easy to forget the tragedy that took place one year ago. The NIU shooting is a chilling reminder of how in a moment, the actions of one person can shatter the security felt by many college students across the United States.

At some point every semester, when my mind wanders in class, I think about what I’d have to do to survive if faced with the same terrible situation. It’s especially frightening when considering that the shooter was a graduate student at the University of Illinois.

Our thoughts are with the six families that lost someone that day.

Sujay Kumar

Senior in biochemistry

On February 14th last year, five students at Northern Illinois University gave their lives in a battle they did not know they had enlisted in.

They lost their lives in a brutal attack that shattered the sense of comfort felt by students around the country while they sat in class.

Every one of the six students tragically killed last year at Northern would have made new friends, accomplished new things, and had new experiences this year.

These five young people had already made a difference in the lives of others, and their contributions will not be forgotten.

The best way we can celebrate their memory is to make the most of each of the opportunities we have to take care of our friends and make new ones, and ensure that violence and hate have no place in our lives.

Amy Allen

Freshman in math

This day is the one year anniversary of the atrocity that is the Northern Illinois Shooting.

Many have already forgotten about the horrific occurrence that shook this state and college campuses across the nation.

Many questions arose from that incident: How do we protect students? Is anywhere safe? Many people suggested solutions, like allowing students and/or professors to carry firearms on campus or being proactive in ensuring that students are just a psychologically healthy as the physically.

Though many issues have been brought, the most important issue I believe that is seldom spoken of is appreciation. As the old saying goes, tomorrow is not guaranteed so do not take today for granted.

Working hard in school for our future career is important but don’t forget to live life while your at it.

Paul Cruse III

Senior in computer and political science

One year ago I asked: Why them and not us?

Why hate and not love?

Why today, right there, right now? Why did this happen and why couldn’t we prevent it?

Now I wonder, is it possible to forgive without knowing why? And is it necessary to forgive, in order to move on?

Is it okay to move on, when dear friends will never again be coming along?

I don’t know the answers, but I know I have hope. This year hope has become more than a virtue, and no one has needed it more than the NIU community.

Hope to heal the past, hope to face the future, and hope to remember those lost while honoring their memory.

Lynne McMillan

Senior in finance

The killer was a student here. It could have happened on our campus.

But he was dating an NIU student, so it happened there.

That scene came so close to unfolding at our Foellinger instead of their Cole Hall.

The sirens and the text alerts and the mourning could have been in Champaign and Urbana; the TV vans could have been parked on Green Street.

The University of Illinois grad student didn’t strike here.

He chose NIU.

But the ghosts of that day will always haunt both campuses.

Scott Green

Third-year law student

A year later, Illinois students can still feel the pain of those affected by the NIU shooting, especially since it was so close to home.

Even when our University takes precautions and sets up an emergency text message system, I believe we still need to focus on the roots of this incident: guns and our students.

Frankly, one thing that I especially looked forward to with Obama’s election is his desire to push forth greater gun-control legislation.

People can disagree with me on that, but I don’t care.

Human life is too important for us to take any risks.

Also, the NIU shooting has taught us that we must do all we can to support and treat students with emotional problems and those with a history of mental illness, like Steven Kazmierczak had.

It’s better that we learn how to prevent such tragedies, rather than only respond to them.

Remy Soni

Junior in communications/English