West Springfield High School Remembers Leslie Sherman

This is the marquee sign at West Springfield High School in Springfield, Virginia. Photograph taken on April 27, 2007 by Ronald Maggiano.

Ronald Maggiano

2007-04-27

Ronald Maggiano

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Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam

Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam being interviewed on April 18,2007, two days after the Virginia Tech Tragedy.

David Arnold

2007-04-27

David Arnold

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Penn St dons Orange and Maroon

Penn St held their Spring Game and sold thousands of Orange and Maroon t-shirts to include a student section of 800 t-shirts that spelled out the VT logo. Some stores reported 2000 shirts selling out in 30 minutes. A record crowd of 81,000 were on hand to attend the annual scrimage. The support for Virginia Tech from powerhouse football schools to include Penn St, Ohio St (VT logo on thier helmets during spring game), Nebraska (color ad of support placed in the Collegiate Times) is amazing.

http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=12399

GoPSUsports.com - Jason York

2007-04-27

Patrick Hogeboom

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Angela Tincher

21 April- Angela Tincher, pitcher of the #23 ranked Virginia Tech softball team warms up to reenter the first softball game played after the tragic events of 16 April. Several softball games were too be played in Bristol, VA as part of the Stateline Classic, by several schools (too include the #1 ranked Tennessee Volunteers) on 4/17 but were all cancelled. The softball team wore a black VT Remembers patch on their uniforms starting with the games played on 4/21. Virginia Tech beat Maryland 5-4 in game one and beat Maryland 11-1 in game 2 of the doubleheader.

Patrick Hogeboom

2007-04-27

Patrick Hogeboom

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VTCC marches to funeral

Cadet Matthew LaPorte was laid to rest in Blacksburg. The Corps of Cadets marched to the cemetery to pay their respects.

Patrick Hogeboom

2007-04-27

Patrick Hogeboom

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University of Hawaii

From around the globe the support for Virginia Tech was amazing

Patrick Hogeboom

2007-04-26

Patrick Hogeboom

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VT by the Tree

What started as a simple VT leaning by a tree became a major focal point of reflection. President Bush signed this VT and a shelter was placed around the VT and other memorabilia. Taken Saturday 21 April.

Patrick Hogeboom

2007-04-26

Patrick Hogeboom

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Media Everywhere

The students left and the media arrived. they were everywhere. Any piece of grass or slab of concrete was fair game.

Patrick Hogeboom

2007-04-26

Patrick Hogeboom

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32 victims in the VT

As a form of relief to help with the pain of this tragedy this file was created to remember those who were lost.

Patrick Hogeboom

2007-04-26

Patrick Hogeboom

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Like many people in the West Springfield community, I truly loved Leslie. It was my absolute pleasure and honor to have taught her in my Applied History class her senior year at West Springfield High School. In her short 20 years her life demonstrated what it means to be a gracious and grace filled human being. Her sense of selflessness is unmatched by any student I have taught in my 27 year career. Leslie led a life guided by idealism, strong values, deep compassion for those in need, a sense of genuine humility,and a wonderful sense of humor.

She wanted to be a historian and her beau ideal of a historian was David McCullough. I can't even tell you how much joy it gave me to introduce her to David, someone with whom I have worked with on the National Council for History Education, at his kickoff event for his book 1776 at the National Archives.

That was a special night! On my desk at home and at school I have a picture of me, David, another student I brought with me, and Leslie.

As I write I can look at the glow on her face as her favorite historian has his arm around her. She gave a copy of that picture to a friend, who could not go with us that night and signed the back of it, "I met David McCullough last night... sigh..."

Leslie was one of those rare human beings who "got it," and understodd what life was about. Many people live well into old age and never "get it." To have been a part of Leslie's life and journey is a humbling experience. Her internal radiance was brilliant and reaffirms what it means to live devoted to other people. She was a gift to all who knew her. I count her among the many blessings of my life.

Leslie always took to heart and then put into action words of people like Martin Luther King, Jr. In his 1967 Christmas Sermon, called "The Drum Major Instinct," he called for people to step up to the plate and serve others. Leslie consistently stepped up to the plate and every time hit a grand slam. She was a Drum Major For Life! Godspeed, Leslie, Godspeed! Thanks for being a teacher, too.

Peace!

James Percoco

2007-04-26

James Percoco

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