Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

Page 23 text:

Tracy Wilson hugs Sigma Sigma Sigma sister Tracy Sibbemsen as they comfort each other after an emotional night. The silent walk made many of the women desire a supportive hug. Showing their support for victims of rape and sexual assault, more than 5(J0 people silently walk through campus. Sigma Sigma Sigma sponsored the walk in memory of Karen Hawkins, a Northwest student murdered in .April Coping f 19

Page 22 text:

t f . JL t Friends cope with loss of loved ones 18 There vKcrc topics ihal could not be discussed in public, making people tee! uneasy and uncomfortable in their safe world. The feelings brought forth were not shared and were considered to be taboo. Perhaps the most hushed topic was death. Everyone, however, had to cope with a loss in their life .sometime. Stress from classes and isolation from family intensified nonnal grie ing for many students. Each indi idual had ways of handling the grief death left in its wake. ■ When my best friend Kris was killed in a car accident, right after I heard the news. I went to church. Tommy Miller said. Going to church helped a lot for me. Others found escaping from society was how they could cope. The hardest death I had to handle was my grandfather ' s. Michelle Roseman said. When I heard Ihe news, I just wanted to be alone. It was my way of thinking it didn ' t happen. Basically. I was afraid I would look like a fool in front of everyone. The most important way for a person to help a grieving friend was to be ready to talk or offer emotional support. Be there for a friend w ho is grieving and do not avoid them. Liz Wood, counselor, said. Recognize that some people want to withdraw and give them space and time. Student Life By Michelle Murphy Most importantly. Wood said, was to work through the emotions and not hide them. My advice when it came to grieving was to ir not to hold back your tears; just let your emotions go, Wood said. Releasing tears was just one way of coping. Wood also suggested talking to others. Talking to people, knowing what stages were involved-it was helpful because so many people who were grieving or coping felt like they were going crazy, Wood said. Students on the Silent Walk dealt with grief in a different way-by not talking. More than 500 people met at the Bell Tower and participated in the event. It was an overwhelming feeling of peace, Kerry Wells said. The Speak Out for Stephanie foundation walk was dedicated to the memory of Karen Hawkins, a Northwest student murdered in April 1995. and other sexual assault and rape victims. Stephanie Schmidt, for whom the foundation was named, was a Pittsburg State student and Sigma Sigma Sigma new member who was sexually assaulted and killed. As the line of people made its way through campus, every person ' s opinions and thoughts were heard without speech being necessary. To look back and everyone was quiet — it was the best feeling to know that these people supported you. Wells said. colli inued to page 21 THE GRIEr L

Page 24 text:

Missouri Water Patrol officials search the 102 Ri er lor Karen Hawkins body. The body was discovered se en days later when a L ' niversity professor suggested throw ing a 20-pound bag of potatoes into the ri er Murder suspect Dennis Lee Jones enters through the hack eiiti ancc ol ih NodawaN County Courthouse Annex for his arraiynmcnl Jones conlesscc to killini; Hawkins and later hiuiL ' hinisclt in his lail ceM : ' - ' z Brooke Boehner speaks at the menioria service in honor of Karen Hawkins in front of the Bell of ' 48. The counseling center sponsored a support group for sorority members to help them deal with Hawkins ' death 20 Student Life