BYU students come together after student tragedy

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BYU students organized an event in the Tanner Building on Tuesday, Dec. 4 to encourage students to “Share Love” and offer comfort after a student tragedy in the building on Monday.

A booth was set up on the bottom floor of the Tanner Building where students could write a note about what they are grateful for. Candy and flowers with the note “You Are Loved” were also available for students to share with others across campus.

Marketing students Becca Dawn, Sabrina Christensen and Emily Benkers said they talked after the incident and decided a message promoting love for others was needed.

“We got together last night and thought of what we could do,” Dawn said. “So many students and organizations have anonymously contributed to help make this all possible.”

All majors were welcome to participate. The booth will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 7, Christensen said.

Information Systems major Kenny Marse said he was amazed to see how quickly the supportive effort was organized. “I thought the building would be very solemn today,” Marse said. “It’s nice to try and have something uplifting put together through all this.”

Entrepreneurship major Ashley Hill said she was in the Tanner Building after the incident occurred and joined her professor and classmates in prayer.

“It was a tragic thing that’s left this super heavy feeling,” Hill said. “I’m grateful we can pray with our professors here at BYU and write these positive messages, to place effort to prevent this in the future.”

With a flower in hand, Experiential Design major Victoria Marse said she plans to share her flower today with someone who needs it the most. “The feeling was very sad yesterday,” she said. “It’s sweet that there’s this chance to share this with someone; I don’t know who I will give it to yet, but I will when I find them.”

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, there is hope and help available. The National Suicide Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255. You can also text the Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential.

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