Austin Cloyd, was one of my best friend's sister, I knew her from church and mission trips she had a great personality and was a joy to be around.

I had handled the events of Monday fairly well ... until last night. While attending a candlelight service at my hometown church, just an hour and half away from Blacksburg, I saw a young girl sitting on the front row. This young girl had long, red curly hair with fair skin and a subtle grin constantly on her face. For some reason, throughout the service, I couldn't seem to keep my eyes off of her. She looked so content, and I began to cry. She reminded me of Austin. Not just any Austin, but the Austin that sat on the floor in the lifeguard room at McComas Pool, patiently waiting for her kids to come in for swim lessons. She just sat there; normally quiet, with a slight smile on her face. And when her kids came, they all flocked to her because they tended to be so excited about their lessons. She must have been a good teacher! Who wouldn't have wanted to learn from someone who seemed so content with life? As I sat in my church, I simply pictured Austin's flawless face with that small grin and twinkle in her eye. That face reminded me of a baby doll, so precious and perfect. And then I thought …How can anything so precious not be in God's hands? So I calmed down, took a deep breath, and sighed, because I know she had hope and I should have that same hope for her. She's home, and that's what matters now. She's home!

Austin was a wonderful lifeguard and swim instructor. Her smiling face will be missed by all of the pool staff.

Austin Cloyd was a delightful young lady. Truly. Her family moved to Champaign, Illinois, in 1999, the same year my family and I came to Illinois. And they moved to Blacksburg in 2005, the same time my family and I moved to Norman, OK. I worked with Austin's dad, Bryan, in the College of Business at the University of Illinois, and her family lived in my neighborhood. Her mother, Renee, was youth director at our church (First United Church in Champaign). Austin babysat for my 3 children. And they loved her. She also volunteered in the nursery at our church. Austin traveled with the church youth group to build houses for the needy. She was the most pleasant, beautiful, nice young lady you could meet. When my daughter was born nearly 3 years ago, Austin and her mom came to our house to give us a present they had purchased. We will never forget her. And we will continue to pray for Austin and her family, along with all the others lost in this senseless tragedy!

Austin was a good friend to me -- almost like a sister when I went to school at the U of Illinois. I was far from home, and the Cloyd family adopted me as their own for those few years. We had awesome memories together. I was older than her, but that didn't matter -- this gal was wise beyond her years. Giving, mature, confident, athletic, caring and funny are the words that come to mind when I think of her. So many stories make me laugh to this day, but now there are tears too. She LOVED the Illini basketball team and was a great fan! She loved her TV shows and made sure to tape them if she was not going to be home - she never missed an episode of any of "her shows." She stood a very tall 5 foot 11 inches, making her stunningly beautiful. I was also tall so we had that great bond, and gave each other strength to stand confidently. I remember late night snacks when I would sleep over at their home, getting in trouble for being too loud at church group, tons of fun shopping in NY City, going out to lunch with her friends, all her sporting events... and many more. The last time I saw her, she helped me pick out my dress for my rehearsal dinner and we had a blast together in Atlanta! I will keep all these memories alive and want everyone who didn't know her to get a glimpse of this amazing young woman. She will be remembered forever, and those of us still here on earth will embrace her family for years to come. Austin I love you sweet girl and will see you in Heaven.

I didn't know Austin personally, but she is the student who made this tragedy up close and personal for me. My sister lives in Champaign, IL, and knew Austin and her family there. Austin babysat for my niece and nephew a couple of times. I live so far away from Blacksburg, Virginia, that I never expected to be personally touched by such pain. But now I have.

Austin and I met through the International Relations Organization of Virginia Tech, on our way to a Model UN Conference at Georgetown University. Our club clicked, we all loved Austin. Not only was she incredibly smart, but she was so funny, so beautiful, so athletic. She was always up for a good time and cared so much for her friends, especially her very best friend Alyssa Katz (another active member of IROVT). Austin loved going to concerts, taking road trips, and international relations. She's my hero, I hope she knows how much I love and miss her.

My heart is broken at the loss of my beautiful niece, Austin Cloyd. She was a vibrant, energetic, talented, and loving young lady who had given so much to others in her almost 19 years of life. As an international studies major, she was preparing for a career with the United Nations because she wanted to help make the world a more peaceful place. Her dream was to help resolve conflicts in the world. How sadly ironic that her life would be so abruptly and cruelly taken on the campus of Virginia Tech last Monday. The world lost the gifts Austin had to offer, but it must not lose her dream of being a champion for goodness and peace. Each one of the students and professors who were killed had so much to offer to make our world a better place. We cannot let these deaths be in vain or become a quick interest blip on the media screen. This is a moment in time for our nation, as individuals and collectively, to do all we can to stop the violence that has permeated our society. Even now, we must begin by taking the focus off the killer, by choosing not to cover the media with his evil images, but to focus on the good that people like Austin and the 31 other victims gave to the world. As a school psychologist, my heart has been burdened for a while by the violence in our society, especially in our schools. Through the loss of our precious Austin, that burden has become very personal. She was an inspiration to me and I hope the light of her life will inspire others to somehow, someway, someday, stop the violence.

I worked closely with Austin at the National Model NATO Conference in Washington, D.C., in February. At the Model, I was representing Italy and she was representing Iceland which put us right next to each other. I don't know what to say except that she was a funny,smart girl who handled herself well, even when in debate. We talked about how much she liked her professor and other things you just wouldn't think twice about. I can't claim to know her well, but I can't get this out of my head. Along with Austin, the world lost 32 lives that shouldn't have been ended. I pray that God holds these souls in his arms just a little longer to let them know we are thinking about all of them, and that they will not be forgotten. I can only hope that Austin's family and the families of the others can find peace somehow. Please know that the world is crying for you.

Although I had just met Austin this semester, she was an incredible blessing in my life and very dear to me. Her kindness, joy, sincerity, and love of life and her friends was absolutely astounding--she was always welcoming and ready to greet you with the warmest smile and hello. There was never a time when she would not go out of her way to make sure you felt like you belonged and that she enjoyed your company. Her humor was wonderful and just being around her was enough to brighten your day.

Austin, we will all miss you dearly-we love you and know you are with God now...and we'll see you again one day.

I met both Austin Cloyd and Daniel Perez Cueva last October through IRO. We all just kind of bonded together; they became core people in my group of friends. I could and did literally talk to them about anything. Austin and I would joke around all the time, share Dane Cook quotes and just distract each other on AIM when we should have been studying. Daniel would come over to the apartment to study with Megan Mirmelstein and just hang out all the time. He'd have me proof some of his papers, and the last thing I read over was his application essay for the College Ambassadors program. I was so proud of him when he got accepted. Austin and Daniel were both amazing, loved people. I just feel lucky that I got a chance to know them, even though it was cut short.

I met Austin in the car on the way to a Model United Nations conference at Georgetown University in Washington. We instantly connected as we had many of the same goals and aspirations, and we quickly became inseparable. Austin loved to go on road trips, and together we traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington; the University of Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Charlotte, North Carolina, in less than one short school year for various concerts and conferences. She made me want to go to class at 8 a.m. We religiously watched our favorite shows together each week. We decided to be roommates for next year and had our room all planned out. I considered her my closest friend at school. What I will always remember about Austin is that she had one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen, and the palest green eyes that almost gave you chills. She was striking. She knew exactly what she wanted in life, and exactly how to get it...she wanted to make a difference in the world. Through our work in the International Relations Organization at Virginia Tech, we both also became close to Daniel Perez Cueva, another one of the victims. She loved her lifeguarding job, and was always talking about and picking out little gifts for the children she taught swim lessons to. I saw her touch so many people in the short time I knew her, and the bond we shared will carry with me forever. Austin, I miss and love you.