What now? Community reflects on tragedy

The shooting last week at Umpqua Community College caught the nation by surprise and hit close to home at Mt. Hood.

Over the past week, there have been many claims, debates, and fact-checking. The UCC shooting is an event that is still so fresh in people’s minds, and some are making the suggestion that as a society, we’re becoming numb to the the fact that people are frequently dying in these types of situations.

The rate at which mass shootings are happening is devastating, including for President Obama who said on Oct. 1, “Each time we see one of these mass shootings, our thoughts and prayers are not enough… It does not capture the heartache and grief and anger that we should feel.” Obama’s speech was filled with sympathy for the families of every mass shooting in America and also framed the issue with reference to gun control.

Students and faculty of MHCC organized a moment of silence at midday Monday. The Main Mall courtyard was filled with the harmonies of our national anthem from our school’s choir, and Associated Student Government Vice-President Lindsay Patiño spoke about the tragedy and how Mt. Hood students were to show their support and condolences.

On Tuesday, ASG hosted an open forum about the shooting, where people described how they felt about it and had their questions answered.

About 30 people attended, including MHCC student Estera Apreotesi.

“For me, [coming to the open forum] was about fear, because you think it’s not going to happen here and it happened so close,” Apreotesi said. “Also, it’s my parent’s fear – they called me the second it happened and suddenly there was just a fear that I wouldn’t have had before.”

Early Wednesday evening, a candlelight vigil was held next to the courtyard to provide more support to UCC and to Roseburg.

MHCC ‘s president, Debbie Derr, spoke with emotion and sympathy.

“How I think about community, is that community is family,” said Derr. “What happened at Umpqua Community College was a blow to our family. What do families do when there’s a tragedy or when there’s a crisis? Families come together. We hold one another. We provide support one another. We talk to one another. We imagine what our family members are going through and that is what we are here tonight for.”

Marcy, a second-year student from UCC said, “The past seven days, our campus has been a little tumultous and we’re all working on getting used to our new normal and creating it. This event has really solidified a sense of community – not only within Douglas County, but within the state and the nation. At UCC, we’ve all really been touched by the tremendous support and love that you all have poured out. I want to thank all of you at Mt. Hood for hosting this vigil and inviting us to be here. I know that two words really doesn’t say it, but thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Those who died on Oct. 1 are: Lucero Alcatraz, 19; Treven Taylor Anspach, 20; Rebecka Ann Carnes, 18; Quinn Glen Cooper, 18; Kim Saltmarsh Dietz, 59; Lucas Eibel, 18; Jason Dale Johnson, 34; Lawrence Levine, 67; and Sarena Dawn Moore, 44.

Obama was scheduled to visit the victim’s families in Roseburg later today (Oct. 9).

Another MHCC student who has done her best to speak about how she feels is Sydney Lavoie, who attended Columbine High School in Colorado – scene of another mass shooting in 1999. Her thoughts revolved around what many MHCC students are thinking: “What if this happens to our school? What would our strategy be?”

(How to handle an Active Shooter Situation is in the box to the left.)

Further, MHCC has resources online and at the school, for those who are wondering what they can do to help prevent a similar incident. A Campus Watch program is currently in place with student volunteers and student workers to help provide a security presence on campus. They will report anything suspicious, unusual or obviously threatening to the Public Safety Department.

As for giving help right now, the United Way has created a special fun to aid injured UCC victims and family members in Roseburg. Anyone interested in donating may visit: gduway.org/UCCgive