First off, I would like to acknowledge the initiative and thoughtfulness of David Davis, his organization, and everyone else involved in the efforts of figuring out ways to commemorate the lost lives of our fellow Penn State students.

As a close friend of Shellie Smarowsky, who tragically lost her life on Dec. 3, I feel that Shellie, John Henry Cox, Michelle Bahn and Ron Dax deserve recognition from the university, the faculty, the students and the community for their contributions as students and people, as well as all of the lives they have impacted so deeply.

I was blessed enough to know Shellie and would have loved to have had the opportunity to meet the others. For anyone who did not have the fortune of knowing any of these four, memorials can perhaps give a glimpse of the type of people that they were.

I like the idea of trees being planted in the Peace Garden in their honor, because of the strength and life that represents.

My suggestion in addition to the trees being planted is for the senior class gift (the clocks downtown) to be dedicated in their memory.

I hope more people give their input and ideas. Plaques, trees and clocks can never replace the void that now exists in our hearts and in our lives, but perhaps they will remind all of us to appreciate the time we have with our loved ones just a little bit more.