OttoVigil Pt1
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Good evening.
My name is Sarah Kenny, and I serve the Student Council President.
On behalf of the University of Virginia Student Body,
I would like to extend my welcome
and my gratitude
for those of you joining us this evening.
To the students, staff, faculty
administrators and community members
who have had the great pleasure of knowing Otto,
I offer my most sincere condolences
for the inconceivable loss
of this friend, scholar and community member.
To Otto's family
I offer my prayers and my empathy
for the horrific tragedy that you are facing
in the loss of your son, your brother.
Although President Sullivan
is unfortunately unable to attend
this evening's vigil,
she has asked that we share the following words
I deeply regret that I am unable to be there tonight for the vigil
due to previously planned travel
please know that I will pause at this hour
to join in your spirit of grief and remembrance
as you gather to honor the memory of Otto.
All of us in the University community
are profoundly saddened by his death
and we are outraged by the circumstances that led to it.
We condemn the horrendous treatment
that certainly contributed to Otto's condition in North Korea.
Even if we denounce these evil acts,
we continue to hope and believe
that the forces of love and goodness
will overcome evil in the end.
And even as we grieve,
we fondly remember and celebrate
Otto's joyful attitude, sharp intellect, and adventurous spirit.
We will remember Otto's finest qualities
long after today.
We will continue to hold the Warmbier family
in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days ahead.
And I encourage you to rely on one another
for solace and support.
I encourage you to look to the faces of the friends
and to the strangers gathered here tonight.
And to search for strength
for courage
in the forces of love and goodness
that each one of us holds within.
I, who witnessed that love and goodness
in the individuals who worked tirelessly
to make tonight's vigil possible
and to all of you, I am grateful.
My wish for tonight is that
we are able to begin the healing process
the process that will require time, self-care, and faith
at both the individual and the collective level.
This evening, you will hear from the Commonwealth Secretary of Education
Ms. Trent on behalf of Governor McAuliffe
and you will hear the blessing from Professor Peter Ochs
of most importance
you will hear from those who knew and loved Otto
to formally bring this vigil to a close
you will hear from the leader of the class 2017
the class that Otto should have walked down the lawn with
just this past May
Following Josh's remarks
we invite those of you who feel so compelled
to share a memory, a sentiment
about the dear friend, we have so unjustly lost
Otto, although many of us never had the privilege of knowing you,
you have inspired us with the legacy
that will forever be part of the University of Virginia Community
Good evening, UVA Community
My name is Dietra Trent and I am Secretary of Education
I am deeply saddened by this occasion
and I know that there are absolutely no words
that can be said at this point
to bring consolation to this community
or to the world for that matter
I think we are all in awe and shock
and dismay for the evil acts
of one who deserves absolutely
no recognition, no acknowledgment, what-so-ever
and I don't
hope not to get too political
I'm a little furious at this
at what has happened
The Governor unfortunately is overseas on a Trade Mission
he left on Saturday, or Sunday
and was not able to be here
when we did the invitation to attend, he asked that I come
and extend his condolences
and he did send a letter from he and his wife
and I'd like to read it at this time.
Dear Friends
Dorothy and I extend our deepest condolences
upon the tragic death of Otto Frederick Warmbier
who just left the University and the country shocked and saddened
As a Theta Chi Fraternity brother and student of McIntire School of Commerce
Otto was an engaging and brilliant young man
with a promising future.
In high school, Otto was Homecoming King and captain of this soccer team
as well as Salutatorian of his graduating class
Around the University of Virginia Grounds,
Otto was known for his unique style and collegial spirit
I'm sure that his kindness, love and devotion to family and friends
will never be forgotten
I'm truly inspired to see the UVA Community come together
in solidarity due on this time
Otto's untimely death has brightly sparked
public outlay across the nation
he was undeserving of his treatment by the North Korea regime
and we as Virginians condemn these actions
We must continue to face evil with the unified front
to ensure that this tragedy is never repeated
My prayers remain with the Otto Warmbier's family
and friends, and the UVA Community during this time
Thank you.
Good evening
Professor Vanessa Ochs is far away tonight
and unable to come, but she sent me these words
to speak to you
I am Professor Peter Ochs
Vanessa Ochs offers words as we gather tonight
Words from Otto's dearest tradition
we remember Otto and hold him and his family in our hearts
we share two prayers
First,
these words of Poet Zelda
each of us has a name given by God
and given by our parents
Each of us has a name
given by our stature and our smile
and given by what we wear
Each of us has a name
given by the mountains
and given by our walls
Each of us has a name
given by the stars
and given by our neighbors
Each of us has a name
given by our sins
and given by our longing
Each of us has a name
given by our enemies
and given by our love
Each of us has a name
given by our celebrations
and given by our work
Each of us has a name
given by the seasons
and given by our blindness
Each of us has a name
given by the sea
and given by our death.
At Otto's family funeral
his family will be reciting the words
of the Jewish prayers for Mourner's Kaddish
These are not words one might expect
a mourner to utter, since they say nothing about
death, and loss
and speak instead almost counter intuitively
about the abiding presence of God
How can we speak these words
when our hearts are so torn
the words hold us together
there are mysteries we can not fathom
we share these ancient words with you now
and as you hear them
please join me in words with your hearts
to pray that Otto's family and friends
will be comforted in time
by the blessing of his memories
If it is your habit, please rise
you may also sit
(Mourner's Kaddish)
Good evening
My name is Kevin Davoli
and I was one of Otto's pledge brothers
It's an honor and privilege to be in front of you all tonight
on behalf of the brothers of Theta Chi here at UVA
We are heartbroken at the loss of one of our closest friend, Otto Warmbier
Even with heavy hearts, we are comforted by the outpouring
love and support from the UVA community
and we thank you all for being here tonight to remember and celebrate
an incredible person, and an extraordinary life that he led.
Otto truly was one of a kind
He had such an uncommon charisma
that made every interaction with him unforgettable
those lucky enough to have known him through the kind of impression he can leave.
From his sharp intellect to his unique, and sometimes peculiar taste
Otto was someone who followed his passion with unwavering bravery
He lived his life with ambition and integrity
always showing respect to his friends, brothers
classmates and family
We first came to know Otto in spring of 2014
upon receiving bids to join Theta Chi
His fun loving attitude quickly made him the life of the party
and someone whose energy was infectious at all hours of the day
Otto went out of his way to invest himself in our lives deeply
and at times, pushed his limits to make us feel comfortable
or make sure that we made it home safely
He was big on human connection,
and valued inner personal relationships heavily
often skipping handshakes upon introduction
in exchange for a 'bring it in,' or "let's hug it out' and a tight embrace.
Otto had a passion for adventure like nobody else
whether it was his pursuit for unbeatable hummus in Israel
on a Birthright trip with members of our pledge class
or confidently leading the exploration of a city he had never been to.
Otto's curiosity led with grace in a manner that only astounded
He was brilliant but never made you feel less than
helpful but never invasive
captivating but never overbearing
One of my favorite things about Otto was his eye for thrifting
the man had bins of unique items he had accumulated in regularly
Things I don't know where they made, but thin
My favorite piece was this yellow cardigan
spotted with lighthouses from around the country that he kept hung on his closet
He'd let me wear it just once
but it wasn't only about him
Otto frequently bought items for his friends
when he thought that would suit them better
never expecting anything in return
Billy, who will be speaking later, and I are both wearing pieces
we got thrifting earlier today
We all have plenty of stories I can tell here
some probably not appropriate for this venue
that will live on in our hearts and minds indefinitely
It's surreal that he's gone, especially in this way
but I know Otto is looking down on us
smiling that goofy smile of his.
I'll close with some remarks one of our pledge brothers
Tim McKinney wrote in the Facebook post yesterday
commemorating Otto's time with us.
Otto, you are model for all
in drive, energy, compassion, and friendship
Your abounding love for life and all its highs and lows
inspires me always to go out and seize every day.
Your grit and will, your ability to put your nose to the grindstone,
to meet goals and not take "no" for an answer,
showed me how much influence we can have in our world.
Your quick wit, usually good humor
and positive energy lit up rooms and changed moods.