Syracuse University desires to increase Remembrance Week awareness transcript
Nick King: Silence has filled Syracuse University for reasons far more profound than usual. The flags, chairs, and flowers all laid out across the campus are in honor of Remembrance Week – a five-day-long event designated to honor the victims of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy, which included 35 SU students. But despite the signs, many students remain unaware of the week’s meaning.
Timmy Weiss: I don’t know what Remembrance Week is. I’m guessing it’s something about remembering students, family, some sort of thing like that, probably around the Syracuse area.
Jish Sokolsky: I’ve heard about it; they do a good job advertising it, but I don’t feel involved with it, unless I’m a remembrance scholar, which I’m not. But I just don’t really get it. I don’t know exactly what all of us are supposed to be doing about that.
King: Timmy and Jish aren’t alone. Many students don’t know what Remembrance Week is, or how to contribute. That’s a feeling some remembrance scholars – SU students who honor the victims of the crash – are also familiar with.
Nico Horning: It’s part of the reason why we’re spreading this event is because there are a lot of people who don’t know what’s going on, me included. I experienced it firsthand. So now that I know what I went through my first couple years of school here, we can take further action to spread the word.
King: And with that knowledge, Horning says new mediums are being used to create awareness.
Horning: You know, everyone always asks what we do besides the week-long events. There are several events that go on for the week. But, for the year, we produce podcasts to spread the word about Remembrance week, I’m going to interview the chancellor about what he’s seen from the first time that he was here for a Remembrance Week and how he’s seen the program change until now. Other groups are doing high school curriculums for other students. So I think it’s more at the phase now where we’re sort of spreading the word and the awareness and trying to improve what happened back then.
King: Spreading awareness is important to everyone involved, but for Remembrance Scholar Advisor Kelly Rodoski, the goal goes beyond that — she hopes people take away a deeper lesson from the week’s efforts.
Kelly Rodoski: I hope people, students in particular, walk away with the idea that life is so precious and so fleeting. So you’ve really got to take advantage of every moment and learn as much as you can and engage as much as you can in doing good.
King: Those looking for information or how to get involved can visit remembrance.syr.edu. For NCC News, I’m Nick King
SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) — It’s Remembrance Week at Syracuse University — a time dedicated to honoring the 35 students killed in the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy. But despite the long-standing tradition, many students remain unaware of its significance.
“I do not know what Remembrance Week is,” said Syracuse junior Timmy Weiss. “I’m guessing it’s something about remembering students, family, or something like that around the Syracuse area.”
Weiss is not alone. Many students are unfamiliar with Remembrance Week. Even among those who are aware of it, some say they struggle to find a personal connection to the event.
“I’ve heard about it; they do a good job advertising it, but I don’t feel involved with it,” said Syracuse senior Jish Sokolsky. “I don’t know what all of us are supposed to be doing.”
The emotions echo those exhibited by the current Remembrance Scholars, students who directly honor and represent the 35 victims.
“A lot of people don’t know what’s going on, me included,” said Remembrance Scholar Nico Horning, referring to the annual campus memorial. “I experienced it firsthand. When I was a freshman, I saw all the chairs and was like, ‘What in the world?’ It’s part of the reason why we’re spreading this event.”
Horning stated he and other Remembrance Scholars are actively working to publicize Remembrance Week.
“We have several action groups trying to spread the word about Remembrance Week,” said Horning. “There are several events that go on for the week, but for the year, we produce podcasts. It’s even being added to high school curricula.”
Remembrance Scholar Advisor Kelly Rodoski said the efforts are not aimed at simply raising awareness, adding that she hopes the event offers attendees a chance to reflect on greater, transcendent values.
“I hope people, students in particular, walk away with the idea that life is so precious and fleeting,” Rodoski said. “You’ve really got to take advantage of every moment, learn as much as you can and engage as much as you can.”
Those looking for more information can visit https://remembrance.syr.edu/.