A silence was broken Friday night by the rising and powerful voices of students, alumni, families and community members who came to show themselves and the community that they still are Penn State.
To a crowd of thousands, University Park Undergraduate Association President TJ Bard, who spoke at the vigil, said the gathering demonstrated what Penn State was about.
“We cannot let the actions of a few define us,” Bard said at the event, held to honor the children and families who were at the heart of the sexual abuse charges filed against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. “All of you here tonight are what Penn State represents.”
As a last-minute guest, former Penn State All-American linebacker LaVar Arrington also came to offer his condolences and speak about the importance of remaining unified as a university community, even in discouraging times.
“We are Penn State and that will never change,” Arrington said. “We have been the standard for so long. We have been the close family for so long.”
Arrington continued by challenging those in attendance to be active and take up Penn State’s “call of duty” of not leaving and forgetting what happened at the vigil.
Vigil organizer Jessica Sever shared an anonymous letter written by a person who had suffered from sexual abuse in the past.
“Although that world is full of suffering, it is completely full of overcoming it,” Sever said, reading the letter.
After sharing these real-life testimonies from those who have experienced sexual abuse, the crowd stood still and listened songs from None Of The Above and Blue in the FACE, both Penn State a capella groups.
Athena Abate, who’s set to graduate in a month, said recent events have been a “shake-up” to her.
Instead of losing faith in her university, Abate said these times are a test but she will always love Penn State.
“Penn State is a community and a family and we always come through during the tough times,” Abate said.
Katie Tice stood by her friend, Abate. Tice said she was also amazed at what has occurred her senior year but believes the vigil showed what was still pure and good about the university.
“Penn State has been hurt,” Tice said. “This community has been devastated and it’s absolutely critical that we come together and show the nation that we’re able to overcome this and that we’re doing nothing more than supporting the victims.”
After Bard — the last speaker of the night — finished his remarks as the bells sounded at 10 p.m., all in attendance raised their candles for a moment of silence.
When the bell’s 10 rings came to an end, the Penn State Blue Band led the crowd in singing the alma mater.
Blue Band member and organizer of the vigil Kyle Harris could not believe the number of attendees until he saw the thousands of candles rise together against an otherwise dark Old Main lawn.
“It’s really a true testament to the Penn State student body, the Penn State community and to just this university as a whole,” Harris said.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett told ABC-TV on Saturday that he was “very proud” of those involved in what he said was a student-run effort in the vigil.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.