Never Forgotten
Jerk had the honor of sitting down with Cassandra Rodriguez, a Senior and Remembrance Scholar for the 2021 Remembrance Week at Syracuse University. The week is held from October 17-23 and marks the 33rd anniversary of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. On December 21, 1998, 35 SU students were flying from London to New York, along with 259 other travelers. They all became victims of a terrorist bomb, killing everyone on the flight and 11 residents of Lockerbie, Scotland.
Q: Can you give a brief summary of what Remembrance Week is and your role as a Remembrance Scholar.
A: Yeah, Remembrance Week is essentially a week the Remembrance Scholars put on to remember the victims of Pan Am 103. There were 270 people that died in the tragedy and 35 of those people were SU students; we remember all of them but the week is tailored to those 35 students and their families. As Remembrance Scholars, we’re tasked with putting together the events for the week and hosting them, and we have different committees that we work on. I am on the education committee, so I focused on creating presentations and going into classes to explain to freshmen what the week is and what happened that day, as well as encouraging people to come out to the events. Some events include the annual 35 Empty Seats Display on the quad and the Celebration of Life where organizations on campus perform by singing, dancing, and reading poetry.
Q: Why did you want to be a Remembrance Scholar?
A: My freshman year after seeing the Empty Seat Display on the quad, I remember walking by and seeing the Scholars sitting in solidarity. I found it to be a very powerful and moving sentiment to the tragedy. It made me stop and think and reflect; I knew instantly that there was this responsibility I had as a SU student to remember these people. You think about it and they were us, they were in our positions and they had their lives taken away because of terrorism.
Q: Who are you representing from the 35 students and how does that feel?
A: I am representing Karen Lee Hunt; I felt an instant connection with her and knew I wanted to represent her when I was applying. I read her blurb in a book about the 270 victims called “On Eagles’ Wings” that really stuck with me: a teapot she bought her mom in London survived the crash without a scratch after falling 35,000 ft. Her mom collects these teapots and my sister does too; I get one for her in every city I go to. After learning more about her I noticed that we were actually very similar and it made me realize how similar we really are to these people. It’s heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time. Someone told me, “You’re gaining and losing a friend at the same time,” For Karen, I knew if I would’ve known her, we instantly would’ve been best friends. In the archives I read letters she wrote to people and she signed them with “xx” and I do the same with my texts.
Q: What have you learned from this experience?
A: I learned to cherish every moment; you don’t know when you or someone you love’s last day is and it puts everything into perspective. Enjoy everything, don’t hold on to any grudges, negativity, or hatred because time is short and life is fleeting. I’ve learned to embrace every moment as it is.
Q: Was there a specific moment this week that stuck out to you?
A: Sitting during the Empty Seat Display and not speaking for 35 minutes while hearing the chimes go off was a profound experience. I was reflecting on who I am, what life is about, and Karen. It was heartbreaking but I felt so close to my cohort at that moment; you instantly feel so tied to everyone sitting there. Today I get to meet Bob and Peggy, Karen’s parents, and I’m really looking forward to it. (This interview took place on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021)
Q: Was there anything challenging for you about this experience?
A: Yes, this week has been a mental rollercoaster; I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, especially from talking to Karen’s friends and family. Her roommate from her London abroad program called me and told me I was the first Remembrance Scholar she’s ever spoken to. She hadn’t felt open enough to talk about Karen with anyone else, and she finally felt ready. It does take a toll on you emotionally, so I’ve been trying to take care of my mental health throughout this experience. It’s a tough process but it’s very rewarding and I’ve learned a lot.
Q: Do you have any advice for juniors who want to become Remembrance Scholars their senior year?
A: If you’re interested in joining the program and becoming a Remembrance Scholar, start going through the archives now. Go online and learn about the victims; search for someone who you can connect with. When the application for next year goes live, it would be great to already know information and even have someone in mind that you want to represent.