Luminary service to honor and remember

Luminaries lined the sidewalks of front campus on Wednesday to show Georgia College & State University’s commitment against violence.

Traditionally, the candlelight vigil has been in response to domestic violence and a ceremony has followed the lighting of the luminaries. This year a change was made to have the vigil be a message about all the violence that takes place in the world today. The luminaries were lit but no cer emony took place.

“It is hoped that the lighting of the luminaries will allow each of us an opportunity to reflect on our personal commitment toward building a world free of violence for all, ” said Dr. Sandi Curtis, coordinator of the event.

Many students were seen on front campus helping set up, light, and clean up the luminaries.

“This has made me realize how many people are abused,” Jessica Lescoe, a GC&SU student and member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, said. “It symbolizes to me that there is a light in everyone’s soul.”

Five hundred luminaries were placed on front campus. Each candle represented 50 women who have reported being battered.

“We are doing this in recognition of and to create awareness of violence against women,” said Kayse Roland, a women’s studies minor.

Natalie Bailey, a student volunteer, was amazed by the all the luminaries.

“When you walk by and see all the bags lit, you see how many people are affected by violence. It shakes me out of my own comfort zone,” Bailey said.

In addition to the luminaries, purple ribbons were given out to volunteers to wear in memory of and in honor of those women who are victims of domestic violence. Support groups also meet throughout the year.

For more information about the support groups and the event, contact Dr. Sandi Curtis at 445-2645.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 19 2001. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry