We Will Prevail
“We will prevail. We will prevail. We will prevail. We are Virginia Tech.”
The words of Nikki Giovanni forever engraved as the motto of perseverance of the Hokie family.
It has been 6 years since that cold and blustery April day and 6 years since our lives were forever changed. We will never forget. We look back to mourn and to remember, but we also look back at the six years since and celebrate for how far we have come. We look to the future with excitement for the new ways that the Hokie Nation will change their communities and change the world. We continue to live by our motto ‘Ut Prosim,” that I may serve.
This week is always a tough week for the Hokie Family. Social media becomes decorated with images of remembrance; quotes and stories of strength and perseverance are read in the local papers; eyes are once again focused on Virginia Tech; Emotions come rushing back, and we still will never understand. We will take a step back to remember the ones lost and hurt on that day, and the ones that responded first to save others. But we prevail. The Hokie Nation is special. It is special because we create opportunities in our lives to show others what it really, truly means to be a Hokie. We are there for others when they need them, because so many people were there for us. We contribute our time and our service to our community, because so many communities were there for us. We do not let one dark moment define us. We are Hokies. We will continue to prevail.
The Pillars of the true values of the Virginia Tech community are etched on the Pylons at the War Memorial Chapel: Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim. These are the Pillars that define the Hokie Nation, not one senseless act. Live for 32 and remember the ones who were hurt, pray for the ones that continue to be affected, and remember the first responders. But never lose focus on the meaning of what it truly means to be a Hokie. Ut Prosim: That I May Serve. We will prevail. We Will Prevail. We Will Prevail. We are Virginia Tech.
