campus

8:06 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech

Members of the media have arrived on the Drillfield. Wearing business-card sized press badges and toting laptop bags, cellphones and cameras, six or seven mill around the memorial looking on as visitors pay their respects. At one side of the memorial a pair of photographers, cameras slung over their shoulders, stand chatting. Alongside them a group checks microphones in preparation for the University Commemoration. And a few yards away, a videographer sets up his tripod.
Submitted by Angela Manese-Lee | The Roanoke Times

8 a.m. Duck Pond, Virginia Tech

Tech alums and Northern Virginia residents April Nye and Matthew Schrader returned to campus for the Day of Remembrance.
Photos and audio by Angela Manese-Lee | The Roanoke Times

12:01 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech


At 12:01 a.m. on April 16, 2008, Virginia Tech lit a candle in honor and remembrance of the members of the university community who were killed one year ago.

Video by Evelio Contreras

12:01 a.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech

Members of the Corps of Cadets stood guard as taps echoed across the Drillfield and a candle was lit to honor and remember the victims of last year's shooting.

Photos and audio by Josh Meltzer | The Roanoke Times

Before midnight, April 15, Drillfield, Virginia Tech


Virginia Tech sophomore Benjamin Knopp sang and prayed with members of various Christian groups on the Drillfield.


Video by Evelio Contreras | The Roanoke Times

Before midnight (April 15), Drillfield, Virginia Tech

Students sing a prayer of thanks before the candle on the Drillfield is lit at midnight.

Photos and audio by Josh Meltzer | The Roanoke Times

11:45 p.m., Drillfield, Virginia Tech

About 100 people gathered on the Drillfield for music and prayer before the lighting of a memorial candle late Tuesday night.

Photos and audio by Josh Meltzer | The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech is bracing for one last round of April 16-related media attention.

As of Friday afternoon, 288 media professionals had requested credentials. They'll be driving more than 130 cars and 25 satellite trucks.

And the tally is still growing.

Mark Owczarski, Tech's director of news and information, said that based on the frequent e-mails and the regular ringing of his office phone Friday, he's expecting about 300 requests for credentials from about 80 media outlets for the university's remembrance events Wednesday. Events that day will mark the one-year anniversary of the worst school shooting in U.S. history.

Flower shop prepares for VT remembrance

Bill Altizer, owner of D'Rose Flower and Gift Shop, gets ready for the one-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings.

Video by Evelio Contreras |
The Roanoke Times

Dancers from across the region want to inspire people who watch their memorial show next week dedicated to Virginia Tech shooting victims.

For 1 1/2 hours on Wednesday, dancers from a range of disciplines will perform a mix of specially choreographed pieces -- with at least two crafted by April 16 victim Reema Samaha -- as a way to celebrate life and the power of dance.

Samaha, a Tech student from Centreville and avid dancer, would have seen no better way, the organizers said.

The Contemporary Dance Ensemble started the eclectic joint performance as an addition to a scholarship they created in Samaha's honor. The show, planned as an annual event, is expected to embody Samaha's thoughts on dance.