Hokies return for classes

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 23, 2007

Virginia Tech students walk to their morning classes for the first time since lessons were suspended following last week's mass shooting of 32 students and staff on the campus, April 23, 2007 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Getty Images / April 23, 2007)

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Still grieving, Virginia Tech students returned to their campus yesterday, preparing to salvage the final weeks of a semester eclipsed by violence.

The scene resembled move-in day in late summer, with parents helping to carry suitcases into dormitories.

There were tears and hugs. But instead of excitement for the year ahead, there was simply determination to endure and regroup in the fall.

When classes resume today, the university will give students three choices: They can continue their studies through the end of the semester next week, take a grade based on what they have done so far, or withdraw from a course without penalty.

"I want to go back. It's just really strange to just stop going," said Paul Deyerle, a sophomore from Roanoke, Va., who was helping a friend move from the dormitory where another friend, Ryan Clark, was among those killed in the worst shooting massacre in modern U.S. history.

A number of students living in West Ambler Johnston Hall have asked to be relocated. Others said they had been drawn to the comforts of home immediately after the shooting, but now were drawn back to the tight-knit community.

"When we hit Route 460 and we could see the campus, we both started crying," said sophomore Ashleigh Shifflett, eating lunch with her sister Regan near victim memorials.

The school planned to remember the victims today with a moment of silence, to be marked by the toll of a single bell at 9:45 a.m. A minute later, a bell will ring 32 times to remember each victim as 32 white balloons are released from the Drill Field.

Students say they welcome the outpouring of support they have received, but they have grown noticeably weary of the news media. The Student Government Association asked reporters to leave by the start of classes today.

Blacksburg Baptist Church Pastor Tommy McDearis, who was called on to tell more than 20 families a loved one had fallen victim to gunman Seung-Hui Cho, urged his congregation and the university to put the pain behind them by returning to classes today.