Candles jumping in the breeze, the buzzing of locusts and a palpable American spirit hung in the air as students, faculty and members of the Baton Rouge community observed a moment of silence Sunday evening in the Greek Amphitheater to commemorate those affected by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The candlelight vigil was the kickoff event for Civility Week, meant to prompt the University community to consider positive perspectives while facing negative challenging issues. The vigil was held as a time to reflect on the past and to look to the future after 9/11.
“This was the largest thing that I can remember in my lifetime,” said Laronica Scales, student director of Volunteer LSU and mass communication senior.
She said it’s a time for students to think about how they have grown stronger since the event.
Attendees congregated in Free Speech Plaza where they received balloons and cards to jot down how they had changed since 9/11. Each tied the card to his or her balloon and released it in front of Memorial Tower.
Candles flickered at dusk as speakers, including Chancellor Michael Martin and Student Government President Cody Wells, shared their thoughts on civility, optimism and recovery.
“We’re here to take these moments and learn something from them,” Martin said.
Martin’s message was for everyone to find ways “to learn and to