The First Night

Saturday, August 21 was one of the most exciting days as a first year arriving to the University of Virginia. Among the many exciting events that day was the B.o.B concert in the John Paul Jones Arena. That concert signified the University's first event as whole. Aside from solely, first, second, third or fourth years, all grades were there in support of ringing in the new academic year with as much enthusiasm as possible. The night started out with all of us first years from Cauthen bustling to the arena as fast as we could in order to get the best seats. I of course was just following the crowds with no awareness of where I was. Then I suddenly noticed something very familiar in contrast to the foreign setting. As I was crossing the Copeley Road Bridge, I notice a familiar, highly publicized shrine. I could not believe it. Morgan Harrington was abducted in the same location that I was standing in. With large crowds and a noisy atmosphere I could not fathom how such a lively place was the scene of such a private occurrence. Seeing that shrine really hit me because it made me realize that what happened to Morgan could have happened to me or anyone else. Morgan actually went to my high school in Roanoke, Virginia. Although I did not personally know her I have an older friend that was best friends with her. While I was on Copeley Bridge, I thought about all the memories my friend had told me about Morgan and how lively she was. Then, I sort of woke up and realized Morgan was not here anymore and that this shrine that I was staring at, was her last documented location of life. As first years, we are all excited to break out of our parents' leashes and explore the world on our own terms. Although we are all entitled to having a fun time at UVA, we all need to be smart about where we go, who we are with and what we do. None of us want to be the victim of another heartless murder. In response to Morgan Harrington's murder, state and local police have used forensic evidence to find a link between Morgan's death and an abduction and rape in 2005, according to the Cavalier Daily. The University of Virginia took the responsibility to discuss safety and security to the incoming students so that the past year's incidences do not repeat. When I look back on the first night I spent at the University of Virginia, I think of the collective group of students that bonded over the first night at UVA for the 2010-2011 year. If as a collective group of UVA students, we all banded together and looked out for each other, I think that we would significantly lower the risk of any unfortunate event occurring at UVA.  And if a city, state, country or even the world did this, that would be one infrangible bond.   -Mina Asghari