A gathering at UVA’s McIntire Amphitheater yesterday proved that, while there will always exist a rivalry between the University and Virginia Tech on the football field or basketball court, the two institutions are simpatico. The first anniversary of the shootings at Tech were commemorated by a memorial service that featured speeches by Student Council President Matt Schrimper and Patricia Lampkin, vice president for student affairs. “It was a tragedy not in some far-off spot of the world or unknown area of the country, but one that involved, for many of us, people we knew and a place that we knew,” said Lampkin, according to UVA Today. A capella groups the Academical Village People and the Virginia Belles performed, and student John McDowell sang an original song titled “Why Can’t I.” Finally, in honor of the victims, candles were lit and there was a moment of silence.

A year has passed, but yesterday’s memorial service at UVA showed that the emotional wounds from last year’s shootings at Virginia Tech are still fresh.

Previous "This Just In" articles from this week:

Charlottesville developer looks north [April 16]
Octagon Partners to build 22 condos in Culpeper

Area shotputter headed to Olympics [April 15]
Won silver in 2000 and 2004