By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Apr 30, 2013, 17:08
Two Virginia State University students were remembered on Friday during a memorial service held in the Daniel Gymnasium at VSU.
“We gather this afternoon to remember our brothers. Our Trojans,” said the director of Campus Ministry Delano Douglas, who led the service.
Marvell Edmondson and Jauwan Holmes, both freshmen at VSU, became victims of tragedy when they were swept down the Appomattox River on April 20. The two, among others, were attempting to cross the fast-flowing river while taking part in an initiation ritual for a group called Men of Honor, which is not affiliated with the college.
VSU’s President Keith Miller spoke to a crowd of around 500 people during the service, describing the two students as men of promise and potential. Miller spoke of how the tragedy has united the campus and community.
“We should remember that through adversity comes strength,” Miller said. “By coming together, we have become stronger. Through our grief, we have become more focused.”
Miller told the crowd that this type of behavior, known as hazing, will not be tolerated.
“Outdated rituals performed in the name of brotherly love have no place in building a better world,” Miller said.
Douglas, along with Miller, blamed the tragic deaths of the two students on hazing and urged the crowd to support the end of the practices.
“It is well beyond the time for the types of activities that resulted in their demise, to come to an end,” Douglas said.
The Virginia State Gospel Chorale performed during the service, led by choir director Perry Evans. Evans told the crowd the story of how Holmes auditioned for the choir but was not able to join due to scheduling conflicts. Evans described him as unique, with a lot of talent, and hard to forget.
Douglas also spoke to the crowd about who the two students were and what they had aspired to accomplish.
Four suspects, all affiliated with Men of Honor, have been charged with five counts of hazing. James A. Mackey Sr., Eriq K. Benson, and Cory D Baytop have been arrested, while the last suspect, Charles E. Zollicoffer II, is still being sought after.
In the crowd of students and community members also sat representatives from the Petersburg, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights and the State Police. Members of Holmes’ family were also in the stands. Several attendees gave flowers to Holmes’ mother at the end of the service.
Miller told the crowd to stay strong and to never lose hope, which keeps them strong. He also urged the crowd to learn and grow from the tragedy.
“We must walk the walk, not just talk the talk. We must be the sermon not just speak the sermon,” Miller said.
