Students Reflect on Tragedy

Prof. Eric Norment asked his 8 a.m., 4/16, English Composition II class to discuss yesterday's Boston Marathon bombing, then write about it - a mere 15 hours after the bombing occurred. What follows are the responses of students to that request to write on the horrific events of April 15 in Boston, which, as this is being written, cost three lives, with 176 injured, 17 critically.

"The events that took place at the Boston Marathon were a shock to not only the city, but the entire country. To see such a great sporting event be tainted by senseless acts of violence is really sad. But this is Boston, with some of the toughest people in the country. If anyone can rebound from a tragedy like this, it's Boston. I'm running next year now, no question about it. #BostonMarathon'14 " -Andrew Pettiford

"Where can I begin? I don't know what to say! I'm speechless. Like I said in
class that could have been one of us, you know? When i found out all i could do
was hug my toddlers and not let go, call my brother and everyone else that works
in that area. I'm sad and I'm hurt. Why did this have to happen to be during the
Marathon? Why did they have to do this? Yesterday was supposed to be happy day,
joyful day where everyone from all over unite and run for a special cause.. I
pray that they find out who was responsible for this. I pray that everyone was
that was injured or deceased gets JUSTICE! If you can donate blood PLEASE do
so, now is the time for us to give back and help save someone's life. Tomorrow
is NEVER promised so live today like it's your LAST !" -Brandy Twine

"Life can change in a matter of seconds, in either a positive way or a negative way. When 9/11 happened years ago, I thought to myself, this horrible thing could never happen to us, but the truth is we were attacked and danger is very real. The frightening thing is you never know when or where it could happen next. We as a nation, we as friends and family must be ready to overcome any challenge laid before us. We must persevere, overcome what has happened to us, and try to help those injured in this chaotic event. It will take time to get over this tragedy, but if we work together, anything is possible and it will just bring us closer as a family." - Christos Koci

"What has happened to the victims of this terrible tragedy is horrid. These completely innocent people were only there to visit Boston, enjoy the beautiful day and enjoy the race. The fact that an eight-year-old child has died is a definitive reason why those responsible should not only be held accountable by the laws of our nation but those of God. This type of thing should and will always be something that will be burned into the back of my mind forever. I know three people that were in Boston during the marathon, and one of them was at the finish line when the bombs went off. He told me the last time he had seen anything like that was when he had come back from Iraq years previous. It does not have the same magnitude as 9/11, but the effect is the same. It also scares me that it happened in Boston when during 9/11 the terrorists started in Boston and did not pick it as a target." - Cory Enos

"I was at work on my break and one of my co-workers walks in and says, "Did you just hear what happened in Boston?" By the look on her face, I could tell that the news was not going to be pleasant. She went on to tell me that she had just gotten a text message for her husband telling her about a terrible incident that took place in the annual Boston Marathon. Two bombs exploded right near the finish line, killing two innocents and leaving more a hundred severely injured. I could not believe it! Immediately I thought about my boyfriend. He drives a delivery truck that would be in the downtown area, and I remembered him saying how he would hate this day, and how the runners and the watchers in the marathon would slow him down. I grabbed my phone in that instant, and dialed his number. He said he was already home and he was fine, that it happened when he was on his way home. I felt a huge relief. However, then I thought of other affected by this. What a devastating act of terror. Whoever is behind this, the authorities will find them, and they are to pay for the lives of innocent children and other involved in this. My prayers go to all the families and victims of the terrible incident. We stand united and together will get through this." - Delcy Miranda