Memory of Little Steph brings out beauty of Loyola
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Opinion
As students began their final full week of classes last Monday, no one anticipated the tragic news that awaited Loyola's campus Tuesday morning.
In the course of one day, the general mood of Loyola took a drastic turn when the school learned of the terrible murder of sophomore Stephanie Parente. A hush descended upon the Evergreen campus as friends and fellow classmates grieved and mourned the loss of one of Loyola College's most dynamic and bright personalities. Confusion ensued as students gradually learned the circumstances of "Little Steph's" murder. We questioned why a girl's father would ever commit such a crime. We questioned how a girl's father could ever commit such a crime.
And yet, in a moment of great adversity for our campus, students illustrated precisely why Loyola is such a beautiful place. The Green and Grey Society re-formatted last Tuesday afternoon's Student Choice Awards hours before the event was scheduled to begin, transforming it instead into a public forum where students could openly grieve and seek support. Over 1,000 of us packed the chapel last Tuesday night for a Mass held in memory of Little Steph. Another 300 students joined together in prayer and mourning last Thursday at a candlelight vigil. Resident Assistants, student government representatives, Student Life staff, professors, administrators, student leaders and non-student leaders alike united together in love and sadness, celebration and languish, all in honor and remembrance of Little Stephanie Parente.
In a moment of quintessential trial and tribulation for an entire campus community, students, faculty, staff and administrators remembered their common bonds and stood, in true Jesuit fashion, as men and women not just for, but also with others. Little Steph, who was known for her amiable demeanor and radiant soul, would be proud.
We should be proud.
As we continue to mourn the loss of one of our own, let us proceed forward fortified in our common connection as Loyola students. Our individual personalities make us dynamic and radiant, but our collective graciousness and support makes us Loyola.
Little Steph, please rest in peace, and we hope you will continue to watch over us.
In the course of one day, the general mood of Loyola took a drastic turn when the school learned of the terrible murder of sophomore Stephanie Parente. A hush descended upon the Evergreen campus as friends and fellow classmates grieved and mourned the loss of one of Loyola College's most dynamic and bright personalities. Confusion ensued as students gradually learned the circumstances of "Little Steph's" murder. We questioned why a girl's father would ever commit such a crime. We questioned how a girl's father could ever commit such a crime.
And yet, in a moment of great adversity for our campus, students illustrated precisely why Loyola is such a beautiful place. The Green and Grey Society re-formatted last Tuesday afternoon's Student Choice Awards hours before the event was scheduled to begin, transforming it instead into a public forum where students could openly grieve and seek support. Over 1,000 of us packed the chapel last Tuesday night for a Mass held in memory of Little Steph. Another 300 students joined together in prayer and mourning last Thursday at a candlelight vigil. Resident Assistants, student government representatives, Student Life staff, professors, administrators, student leaders and non-student leaders alike united together in love and sadness, celebration and languish, all in honor and remembrance of Little Stephanie Parente.
In a moment of quintessential trial and tribulation for an entire campus community, students, faculty, staff and administrators remembered their common bonds and stood, in true Jesuit fashion, as men and women not just for, but also with others. Little Steph, who was known for her amiable demeanor and radiant soul, would be proud.
We should be proud.
As we continue to mourn the loss of one of our own, let us proceed forward fortified in our common connection as Loyola students. Our individual personalities make us dynamic and radiant, but our collective graciousness and support makes us Loyola.
Little Steph, please rest in peace, and we hope you will continue to watch over us.
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