Why I’m Proud to Be a Hokie
Last month included April 16, a somber day of remembrance for Virginia Tech. On that day 13 years ago, 32 lives were taken on our campus in a tragic shooting that shook our entire country. At the time, I was too young to truly understand the magnitude and sadness of this event. Now as a student here, I make sure to take time each year to remember the lives lost. This year, I took this time to reflect on why I am blessed and proud to be a Hokie.
Virginia Tech was the bottom of my list of senior year of high school. When I was applying, I could’ve listed almost a dozen schools I would go to before I attended Tech. VT just seemed too close, too many students from my home town, and quite frankly, not a good enough basketball team. I wanted to get out and study engineering somewhere that “Virginia” wasn’t in the name, and until the day I put in my deposit, I really never thought Virginia Tech was the best place for me.
Three years later and I’m blessed to be a hokie.
It’s not perfect. For some people, it might be, but it hasn’t been for me. Classes can feel impossible, some of my professors feel hard to talk to, and really, our football team doesn’t seem to be able to win any big games. Academics aren’t keeping me here whatsoever. I know I could get an equal or better fitting education for myself elsewhere, and I’m okay with that.
What’s kept me here are the people. I got lucky. Incredibly lucky, from the day I chose my dorm room until now.
If you know me, you’ve heard of The Boys. I met the best friends I could have ever asked for on my floor freshman year. Possibly the nucleus of a slightly bigger friend group, with so many different personalities and interests. Things are always interesting, funny, and all over the place with this amazing group of people. I know I couldn’t have found this collection of people or anything similar somewhere else. If you know my Medium, you know I love name dropping: Cod, Noah, Ramy, Aaron, Taylor, Brit, Mus, and so many others. Couldn’t imagine what’d I do with my time without ya.
Grandpa Tommy. The man deserves his own paragraph. He might genetically be Noah’s grandpa in town, but we all love him. I know there’s always someone looking out for us, and he’s always willing to host and show us a good “hokie” time. Hosted by far the best birthday I have been to.
My ECE bros. My college academic journey has been sub-par, to say the least. I realized I was probably in the wrong major a little too late, and have been sticking it out ever since. The one thing that gets me through is some of the few relationships I’ve made in classes. I study along some of the brightest minds at Tech, and it definitely can be intimidating at times. Matty-G, you’ve made ECE life bearable. From hastily rushing through each other’s notes before our FINALS to whispering girl-talks during class, I couldn’t have even gotten close to where I am without you. Adam Vaughan, Matt Lamb, Sengel, Addison, and Steph, although I might not show it, I truly love each of our conversations or even just saying “hi” between classes. Many times, it was just what I needed.
New friendships. As I started with, I got really lucky off the bat with a great group of friends in the dorm. Since then, Virginia Tech has blessed me with many new friends. For example, I first met Nolan playing pick-up basketball at McCommas on a Saturday, Sophomore year. The next day, I happened to sit next to him at Sunday mass. We’ve been friends ever since. To Atticus, Drew, Katie, and Laura, who I’ve gotten to know especially well during this quarantine period, yet barely knew prior to it. And then there’s Holly, my late February birthday partner! And Mad-dog W., I guess having two roommates ref does have some benefits… In short, one of my biggest fears of college was not really meeting anybody new after freshman year. I can safely say I have so many great new friendships that no matter how short-lived, make being at Virginia Tech special.
The Blacksburg community. You get 5 minutes off of campus and you’re driving back roads that feel like I’m back driving through Opal or Catlett back home. I love the hustle and bustle of the big cities, but with the stress of school, I think I lucked out choosing the opposite. I love the feeling of going for a joyride and getting waved at by a passing local. I couldn’t imagine not being able to catch sunset at the Hill or Bald Knob.
Fauquier forever. I always thought I would want nothing to do with anybody from Fauquier back when I was choosing my school senior year. Now, I am so grateful for the relationships I’ve been able to keep since being at Tech. Colin looked out for me in my first two years. Emma Symanski and I got so much closer; Meg Ches made sure to come around for my 21st; Tommy and Ryan are always up for a run. Even Tress, who I “knew” but didn’t really know from home, has become an awesome friend (and future neighbor) since we’ve been here. Having these people that knew me before college has given me a sense of comfort and home that I cherish at Tech.
In my darkest moments, I’ve wished I was somewhere else far from here. But then I remember what I have. Some of the best friends and memories I could ask for. They are what makes Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech to me.
As well as three wins over Duke at home, but that’s against the point.
