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THECLOCK
April 26, 2013
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Plymouth Stands Boston Strong
COURTESY PHOTOS/ FACEBOOK.COM/PSURECPROGRAMS
Christi Jensen For The Clock
T
hree flags waving in the center of campus have hung at half-mast since Monday the 15th when two bombs went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Marathon Monday, or Patriot’s Day, is normally a day where the city comes outdoors to celebrate over 20,000 runners competing in this internationally recognized event. This year's tragedy left people with fear rather than the usual joy. Plymouth State, like most people from New England and across the country, was deeply affected by the tragedy. Students, faculty, and staff were either directly involved that Monday, knew someone that was involved, or just felt deep despair for those that were injured or lost their lives. No matter the case, everyone could sense the pain that the university was feeling from the tragedy. Plymouth is Affected Several students from the Athletic Training program went to Boston together to be a part of the first aid team at the finish line, not too far off from where the bombs went off. Fortunately, none of those students were injured. Andrew Barden, and Adventure
Education student, was working with the American Red Cross as a trained first responder. After seeing Boston Police motorbikes driving into town, Barden and the rest of his group started to be more vigilant and weary of their surroundings: “We were standing next to a state trooper and he said ‘Now you’re going to start hearing this over your radios but there was an explosion, just be ready to deal with whatever we have to deal with.” A little shaken, Barden and his crew didn’t think much of the statement until their crew leader said, “Call up your parents, call your sister, make sure everyone is okay.” At that point, Barden and crew were fully aware of the fatal blasts and headed to Boston College where staff helped the injured. “I had to be able to push my feelings away and be ready to help,” Barden explained, “it was almost normal for us because we’ve all done first response before, but it all happened so quickly that it was like my knowledge was lost.” Brian Busanich, Physical Trainer for the Women’s Swimming and Diving team, ran the marathon this year after spending three years training to make his third attempt. He finished the race in just about three hours. When the bombs went off Busanich said he was,”probably on the train headed back to my hotel at that point.” “I almost wish that the bombs went off 70 minutes before. I felt helpless sitting in my hotel room watching
it on TV,” continues Busanich, “I feel profound sadness for everyone that was involved especially for the eight year old boy. I just imagine my son standing there waiting for me to cross the finish line because that is just where I would want him to be.” Plymouth Heals On Tuesday evening, 300 students came together outside of the Hartman Union Building for a vigil on the Alumni Green. Matt Doliver played the national anthem on his saxophone, and students lit lighters and waved their iPhones in the air. In true Plymouth fashion the group shouted together “USA, USA, USA!” The counseling center also offered a session Tuesday night to discuss methods of healing. Mark Lindberg, the interim chair of the NH Disaster Behavioral Response Team (DBRT), was in attendance with a team of volunteers. Program organizer and psychologist at the Counseling Center, Robert Hlansy PhD, said, “DBRT is a team of people who specialize in mental health counseling after disasters like this happen.” The team was ready for a large group of people to counsel on their grief or fear of what happened on Monday. “Try to focus on what is in your control,” Hlansy suggested, “keep the bigger picture to the authorities.”
Plymouth Takes Action Healing has taken place on a larger scale on campus through the amount of students and staff who wish to organize benefit events for Boston. Immediately after the attacks, incoming student body president, Kayla Grimes, came up with a plan to raise money for the victims. With the help of others in senate including Lexi Casale, JJ Theplama, and Hillary Allen, Grimes and the Class of 2014 purchased blue and yellow ‘Boston Strong. Run On.’ bracelets to sell for $5 each. “As of right now we have raised over $2,000 in Plymouth State’s name,” said Grimes, “it is incredible how such a small act can turn out to make a huge impact.” All of the proceeds will be donated to the One Fund Boston. One Fund was founded by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Mayor Tom Menino to directly donate money to those that were affected the most by the blasts. The newly established Gluten Free and Healthy Living Club is hosting a Healthy Human 5K Saturday April 27th at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Drew Guay, director of Recreation Programs, thought that something needed to be done in tribute to the event after it happened. “Drew wanted to do something sooner, so we decided to promote the Healthy Human 5K at his event on Friday,” said president of The Gluten Free and Healthy Living
Club, Ava Tyler. Guay and staff in Recreation Programs organized a Remembrance Run last Friday outside of the HUB where about 150 students came together to do a loop around campus in remembrance of the runners at Marathon Monday. “The small loop around the Alumni Green and the HUB was doable for people of all fitness levels, but it gave anyone a chance to give back one way or another, said Guay, “We had a banner that was signed by all participants that is currently hanging in the Fireplace Lounge and the pictures have been shared with colleagues at the Boston schools who truly appreciate the gesture and get a chance to see what Plymouth State is all about.” The Gluten Free and Healthy Living Club, P.A.C.E., and The Class of 2014 will be selling water bottles at the Healthy Human 5K for $2 to raise more money for One Fund. T-Shirts will also be given to the first 100 runners. Although a 5K is 23 miles short of the distance that the runners on Monday ran, Plymouth State runners will run in tribute for everyone who suffered in the bombings. Despite the heartache that is still lingering in the air around PSU, our community has stood tall during times of despair. Guay said, “This truly showed the high character of our students and the PSU Community as a whole.” An incredible and honorable amount of students came together to do the right thing and that stands true to the university motto, 'Ut Prosim-That I May Serve.'"