2008 Woodie Awards
Student's sacrifice more important
Feana Kotter
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Opinion
Last week, I made the decision to discontinue any more columns about Northern Illinois University in this section. I felt many of the columnists analyzed the subject from every possible angle, and it was time to get back to writing about everything else going on in this crazy world.
But after reflecting on the event and meeting the editorial staff from the Northern Star, I could not formally put an end to this topic without telling one last side of the story.
On Feb. 14, our editors and writers were comfortably working in our normal routine of producing the paper. One of the proofreaders shouted, "shots fired at Northern," and suddenly plans were changed and several people were on the phone with friends at Northern.
My heart sank as I hit the speed dial number of one of my best friends who attends Northern. Thankfully, she was at home and not in danger.
Unfortunately, as hours ticked by, we learned several Northern students passed away as a result of their wounds. While running around the office somber and thinking of ways to approach what was happening three hours away, we learned the staff of the Northern Star lost one of their own.
Dan Parmenter was an advertising representative for the Northern Star. He and his girlfriend were in the front row of the class in Cole Hall when the shooter entered and began firing. According to the staff of the Northern Star, the two students immediately hit the floor. Dan used his body to protect his girlfriend from the plethora of bullets flying. He was hit five times and later passed away as a result of his wounds.
Dan was a true hero because of his actions. Our generation is often stereotyped as selfish and apathetic, and we should all be thankful and grateful to Dan for proving our critics wrong. He gave his life to protect someone he cared about.
As time marches on, the questions will all be answered, and Northern students will continue with their lives as best they can. While it is important for all of us to return to normalcy, we must not let a student like Dan disappear into the black hole of old front-page news. His sacrifice should be remembered and revered and given the attention the selfish shooter received.
Thanks to the staff of the Northern Star for showing us how to remain graceful under pressure. It was great to meet all of you.
And thanks, Dan, for showing us the real definition of a hero.
But after reflecting on the event and meeting the editorial staff from the Northern Star, I could not formally put an end to this topic without telling one last side of the story.
On Feb. 14, our editors and writers were comfortably working in our normal routine of producing the paper. One of the proofreaders shouted, "shots fired at Northern," and suddenly plans were changed and several people were on the phone with friends at Northern.
My heart sank as I hit the speed dial number of one of my best friends who attends Northern. Thankfully, she was at home and not in danger.
Unfortunately, as hours ticked by, we learned several Northern students passed away as a result of their wounds. While running around the office somber and thinking of ways to approach what was happening three hours away, we learned the staff of the Northern Star lost one of their own.
Dan Parmenter was an advertising representative for the Northern Star. He and his girlfriend were in the front row of the class in Cole Hall when the shooter entered and began firing. According to the staff of the Northern Star, the two students immediately hit the floor. Dan used his body to protect his girlfriend from the plethora of bullets flying. He was hit five times and later passed away as a result of his wounds.
Dan was a true hero because of his actions. Our generation is often stereotyped as selfish and apathetic, and we should all be thankful and grateful to Dan for proving our critics wrong. He gave his life to protect someone he cared about.
As time marches on, the questions will all be answered, and Northern students will continue with their lives as best they can. While it is important for all of us to return to normalcy, we must not let a student like Dan disappear into the black hole of old front-page news. His sacrifice should be remembered and revered and given the attention the selfish shooter received.
Thanks to the staff of the Northern Star for showing us how to remain graceful under pressure. It was great to meet all of you.
And thanks, Dan, for showing us the real definition of a hero.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Lorelei Jones
posted 3/03/08 @ 10:14 AM CST
I was apprehensive about where you would go with this article, based on the word "sacrifice" in the title. I've seen that word used a lot about the NIU students as well as others who have been murdered in this way, and I wasn't comfortable with the word sacrifice, because being in the wrong place at the wrong time doesn't really define "sacrifice". (Continued…)
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