Focus on the Victims of Virginia Tech, Not the Madman!

It is a sad world when a young man with a mental illness walks into room and kills 32 innocent people and injured dozens more, then the world focuses on him. At that point, the shooter has won. He has gotten exactly what he wanted: The spotlight.

I understand that there is natural curiosity at what kind of person could do such a thing, but his mailing all the photos and videos to NBC just shows you that what he wanted was glory. Sadly, he's getting that glory. If people focused more on the victims of this heinous crime, the sick killers out there perhaps wouldn't do such terrible things!

In this, I choose to focus on those who lost their lives. The ones who left behind mourning family, friends, and a shocked nation. As I put in each name, my heart sank more and more. Seeing their faces as they smiled in the pictures was haunting. As I added each name, my heart willed an end to come to the list, but it went on and on and on. Tears came to my eyes as I thought of how senseless their deaths were and could have been avoided. But you cannot dwell o the shoulda, coulda, woulda's. Please pay respects and read each name and how amazing each of them were. They were not afforded the luxury of the media's glory.

Ross Alameddine-20 years old, English major. A Facebook page created in Alameddine's remembrance called him "an intelligent, funny, easygoing guy who will be greatly missed."

Jamie Bishop-35 years old, German teacher at Virgina Tech. Bishop leaves behind wife, Stephanie Hofer, who also teaches in Virginia Tech's German program.

Brian Bluhm-25 years old, wanted more than anything to be remembered as an awesome man of God.

Ryan Clark-22 years old, known as "Stack" to his friends, was pursing a PhD in psychology and carried a 4.0 GPA.

Austin Cloyd-19 years old, moved to Virginia with her family from Champaign, IL. That's an hour from where I live. She was an amazing woman of God and stunningly tall and athletic.

Jocelyne Couture-Nowak-French teacher at Virginia Tech. She helped start a french school in a town in Nova Scotia. She was a vibrant and caring wife and mother.

Kevin Granata-the head of Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at Virginia Tech. More than anything, family says he loved and lived for his children.

Matt Gwaltney-24 years old, was interviewing for jobs just days before he was killed. He was an only child, anxious to get back home near his parents and being finished with school.

Caitlin Hammaren-19 years old, majoring in international studies and french at Virginia Tech. Peers say that she was a leader among students.

Jeremy Herbstritt-27 years old, was voted "Most Talkative" in high school. Raised in central Pennsylvania on a farm, his grandfather said he loved to take things apart and put them back together again.

Rachael Hill-18 years old, a freshman studying biology was an only child. She loved to play volleyball and shop for shoes.

Emily Hilscher-19 years old, was a huge animal lover. She was a freshman majoring in animal and poultry sciences.

Matthew La Porte-20 years old, was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets band, the Highty-Tighties and the U.S. Air Force ROTC.

Jarrett Lane-22 years old, was a senior at Virginia Tech, studing civil engineering. He was the valedictorian of his high school just 30 miles from Virgina Tech. He played the trombone and was an athlete who ran track, and played football and basketball.

Henry Lee-20 years old, was one of ten children. His family moved to the states from Vietnam when they fled in 1994. He was known as a fun-loving guy to all who knew him.

Liviu Librescu-76 years old, was a survivor of the Holocaust. He is a hero among many, because he blocked his classroom door from allowing the shooter to enter while allowing students to escape.

G.V. Loganathan-51 years old, was a professor at Virginia Tech since 1982. He received numerous awards for his excellence in teaching. He leaves behind a loving wife and children.

Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan-34 years old, was working on his doctorate to pursue his dreams of becoming a teaching in America. His family, back in Indonesia, sold many things to help pay for his dream to become a reality.

Lauren McCain-20 years old, was a devout Christian, whose major was international studies at Virginia Tech. She loved reading and learning languages.

Daniel O'Neil-22 years old, was an engineering student at Virginia Tech. He loved music and was a hard worker. His music can be found at www.residenthippy.com

Juan Ramon Ortiz-26 years old, was born in Puerto Rico. He was teaching a class at Virginia Tech as part of his graduate degree. His family describes him as a devoted son.

Minal Panchal-born in India, she was studying to be an architect like her father, who had recently passed away.

Daniel Perez Cueva-21 years old, was born in Peru. He was studying international relations, which became his passion that stemmed from the 9/11 attacks.

Erin Peterson-18 years old, had just seen her father a couple of days before the shooting. She was known for her bright smile and her fighting spirit.

Michael Pohle-23 years old, he hailed from New Jersey. Only weeks from graduation, Pohle already had job interviews set and ready to go after graduation.

Julia Pryde-was studying biological systems engineering. She dreamed of making the world a better, more healthy place to live. She loved softball and swimming.

Mary Read-19 years old, was known as a sweet girl and always smiling. She had yet to decide on a major, but was finally starting to get her footing and get used to life in college by looking into sororities.

Reema Samaha-18 years old, looked forward to helping make the world a better place. She attended the same high school as the shooter. She loved dancing and had just performed the weekend before she died. It was the last time her parents saw her alive.

Waleed Shaalan-32 years old, was working on his doctoral degree in civil engineering. Originally from Egypt, he leaves behind a wife and one year old son.

Leslie G. Sherman-loved traveling the world. She was planning to spend her summer in Russia. She loved to read and spend time with family.

Maxine Turner-22 years old, a senior, was full of Hokie pride. She had recently accepted a job as a chemical engineer in Maryland. Her family said that she loved and was always very excited about school.

Nicole Regina White-20 years old, was majoring in international studies. She was a high school honor student and worked as a life guard at the YMCA.