I was a graduate student of Dr. Loganathan and a good friend of Brian Bluhm. I finished my master's in December 2006. Brian Bluhm was a good man, good friend, dedicated teacher who had such a bright future in front of him. I've known him closely the last 5 years and have enjoyed his company throughout that time. He was a good person and I am deeply saddened by his loss. --Shawn Batterton, Arlington, VA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Daniel Perez Cueva will always be close to my heart. He was a great student, that thanks to his great academic performance was able to transfer from Miami to study international relations at Virginia Tech. Not only was he an amazing student, but also caring and loving son. He was very close to his mother, Betty Cueva, that all she could ever do is just talk wonders of what a great person he had become. Every time she came to my house, she would tell me stories of how well he was doing in VTech and how proud she was of her son. He is missed greatly and he will always be remembered. --Anonymous , Woodbridge, VA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

I worked with Ryan Clark at Camp Big Heart for many years. He truly lit up the room everywhere he went. Our campers, who are all diagnosed with mental retardation, would often say that going to see "Mr. Ryan" at music time was their favorite part of the day. He had a gift for getting everyone, no matter how reluctant or down, energized and excited to be at camp. He was quick to turn up the music and get everyone dancing, laughing, and celebrating. I remember his laugh more than anything else -- a loud, boisterous laugh that you just had to laugh along with. Ryan was full of energy and life. He was driven, passionate, loving, and completely selfless. He was a light in the world, and it's a darker place now for losing him. --Melissa Scott, Birmingham, AL (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Submitted by Anonymous picture of her in a pretttyy dress

Erin Peterson was one of the nicest and funniest people i've ever known. She was so good at basketball and such a great athelete. I am ngoing to constantly think of her and i currently don't know what i'm going to do without her. Iknow she is in a better place now, but i still miss her so much. RIP Erin Peterson. i love you so much. --Anonymous , annandale, VA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

My name is Trenton Allen and I worked Camp Big Heart with Ryan Clark, amongst others. I started to work there about 6 years ago, the summer after my 6th Grade year. I was one of the younger Volunteers there that year. Since I had arrived at camp early, the only people there were Ryan and Lonnie, the camp Director. From that day on Ryan took me under his wings and taught me about camp and life. Mainly in the past 3 years, Ryan has been the person I turned to when i ever needed advice or a little bit of a boost. In my first year of college and when wrapping up my senior year in High School Ryan got me through all of my hard times with just a few words of wisdom and sincerity... I owe a bit of who I am to him and feel a little lost without him. All I can say is everyone that knows Ryan has been blessed beyond compare and the world is just a little less bright without him here. I would like to add Thank You Ryan... Thank you for everything. --Trenton Allen, Valdosta, GA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

I knew Nicole White from Smithfield who was killed in the shootings at Virginia Tech on Monday morning. I haven't seen her in a few years but when I heard she was involved I didn't have a hard time picturing her face or remembering her at all. Nicole and I played little league softball together at Bennetts Creek in Suffolk, Va., and I also attended Nansemond River Baptist Church with Nicole, her younger brother and her parents. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends along with the rest of those who lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. --Megan Belch-Stewart, Suffolk, VA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

I grew up with Nicole White. She was one my four best friends, and we all shared everything. She was a fiery redhead; always busy, always into mischief. But she was also compassionate, cheerful and happy. She loved horses and when we were growing up she wanted to go to Europe and be an equestrian veterinarian. I never imagined she would be gone in the blink of an eye. --Michelle D. Clay, Toccoa Falls, GA (submitted on April 17, 2007)

Submitted by Anonymous Austin Cloyd - from the Virginia Tech campus recreational sports website

A wonderful young woman named Austin Cloyd is among those lost in this senseless tragedy. Please consider that no one here wants to be responsible for violating the family's privacy at this difficult time, especially in light of the extraordinary length of time it took to ascertain whether or not Austin was OK. Austin lived in central Illinois with her family for several years before moving to Blacksburg a few years ago when her father accepted a position on the faculty of VT. The entire Cloyd family have been missed since they left this area. Missing Austin has taken on a different, incomprehensible meaning. --Anonymous , Champaign, IL (submitted on April 17, 2007)

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