NSU will host a “Remembering Marjory Stoneman Douglas: Anniversary Candlelight Vigil” on Thursday, Feb. 14, 5-6 p.m. at the Student Affairs Patio, one year after the tragic school shooting occurred.
Last year, on Feb. 19, NSU held a vigil for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to help bring people together in this time of grieving.
“[The event was] difficult. But any vigil like that is going to be difficult. I feel like it really showed what NSU is like in a community, especially in times of trouble— we come together,” said Sarah Goltsman, sophomore speech language and communication disorders, a student who attended and read a poem at last year’s vigil.
A year later, the university hopes to continue to work on the healing process and provide the community with a chance to get the help they need and reflect on the event.
“A part of the reason we’re doing this is because we have a number of students that did attend [the school], and have been personally impacted by this,” said Zaver Moore, graduate assistant for student counseling services. “This is a way of bringing back the memory of the 17 individuals who lost their lives on that day, as well as a way of disseminating information about how to be more proactive in being that support person and getting people connected to resources that may be necessary,” he added.
The event will feature a keynote speaker, Scott Poland, a professor in the college of psychology and internationally-recognized expert on school shootings.
“He’s going to come to talk about the impact of school shootings, as well as proactive ways for us as students, faculty and staff members to be that support system and be able to utilize the resources that are available to be able to get people connected to the services that they may be needing,” explained Moore. “Overall, the hope is that we can provide comfort to those students, faculty and staff that have been impacted by the shooting, and show that the situation has not been forgotten, that we still stand strong with MSD. There are viable resources available to all of us to be more proactive.”
The event is open to the community, as the effects of the shooting go beyond NSU and MSD, but to all of Broward County.
“It’s very important for… students to come out, show their support for those who are impacted and also, to show that we, as a family of Sharks, stand together,” said Moore.
