 |
||
|
 AP Photo |
Maxine Turner
Maxine Turner, a senior chemical engineering student, had finished her required credits and was preparing for her May graduation, but took German as an elective, said her father, Paul Turner. The 22-year-old was shot in the German class.
"She was very excited -- she was very excited about school in general," her father told the AP. Turner, from Vienna, Virginia, was accepted by a handful of high-profile schools, including Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. But she was determined to be a Virginia Tech Hokie, her father said. "We tried to convince her to go elsewhere. When you get accepted to Johns Hopkins, it's a very prestigious school," he told the AP. "But no, she wanted to go to Virginia Tech." Turner recently helped found a chapter of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a sorority for women in engineering. She had accepted a chemical engineering job with W.L. Gore & Associates in Elkton, Maryland. "It's a terrible loss," her father said Wednesday, weeping. "I cannot understand the legislators in this country, not putting in laws that protect people." Scroll down to read and post comments |
 Did you know Maxine Turner? Post a tribute or send video, photos |
|
We met Maxine a few years ago through our nephew, John Cerva, who also attends Va. Tech. Word of this tragedy has hit us hard because Va. Tech has always been a part of our lives since growing up in Northern Virginia. Maxine was always so friendly and fun, my children enjoyed getting to meet her and spending time in the Outer Banks with her. She was also a supportive friend, from what I could see - someone whom you could depend on when times weren't always the best. I wish we could be there for her family at this awful time. Having so many bright and vital people snatched from our world in such a horrible way leaves emptiness for us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Turner family and with the many other victims of this tragedy.
Posted by Maria Eustace of Guatemala City, Guatemala
Maxine was a former student of mine at James Madison High School and was one of the most fantastic students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. She had so many redeeming qualities. She was extremely upbeat, bright, intelligent, enthusiastic and polite. She was indeed a very special lady. She was one of those inspirational students that a teacher would look forward to seeing every day in class because her presence could brighten your day. She stopped by and visited me just a few weeks ago while on spring break and we talked for about 45 minutes. She talked excitedly about finishing her degree and about looking for a place to live near where she would be working. One of the last things she said to me was that she was going to come by and see me one last time after she graduated before she moved to where her new job was waiting for her. I remember feeling a little sad when she said that. Now, it breaks my heart to know I will never get that last visit. You will be missed but never forgotten Maxine. Posted by Toss Cline of Gainesville, Virginia
Maxine was one of those people that you couldn't help but love as soon as you knew her. She had a contagious smile and a vivacious personality that drew people to her. She was so passionate about anything that she devoted her time to. Her friends, chemistry, engineering, music, drama. She was so in love with life. She was one of the smartest people I know and had so much potential. Maxine, you were so greatly loved in life and will be missed tremendously in death. Posted by Sarah Hoptman of Vienna, Virgina
I am a high school friend of Maxine Turner. There is much to say about Maxine besides just being a chemical engineering student from Vienna. She was so smart but she used this intelligence to make people laugh or understand something. I literally cannot remember a time when she was not cheerful. She was just a little girl, I knew her in high school and I would say that she is one of those little girls you always want to nurture when you see her because she is so sweet. ItŐs hard to place such intelligence to such a sweet face. She was so cultured, someone who genuinely enjoyed learning all sorts of things. I mean, who takes multiple languages just for the sake of learning? She played the violin, and we were even stand partners sometimes in orchestra. She did tae kwon doeÉ because she found it interesting. Anyone who ever talked to Maxine for more than 15 minutes will miss her and the thought that we will never ever see her again or talk to her comes with a deep emptiness. Posted by Hubert Chin of Blacksburg, Virginia
Maxine Turner went to James Madison High School in Vienna, Va. I was a year under her but was active in the Drama club with her. She was a happy, bubbly person who always had a smile on her face. She was also passionate for music, being in the orchestra. All who knew her were devastated of her death. The class of 2003 and other alumni who knew Maxine have her in our prayers. I know that I will be praying tonight at the Murray State University Prayer Vigil for Va Tech. I will be praying for all of those whose lives were taken and praying for those who were wounded to get well soon. I will also pray for all the students in Va Tech to be strong and stay together. A strong community will help them recover from such a tragic event. I hope that Maxine is safe with God and that her family is being looked after by the Vienna community. Posted by McGlensey Abiles of Murray, Kentucky
Maxine Turner was a beautiful and talented girl. She loved her family and absolutely adored her little brother. She was an enthusiastic swing and ballroom dancer, and enjoyed cooking - Pasta Carbonara was a favorite dish. Maxine was passionate about her Chemical Engineering career long before she entered Tech, and she knew that someday she would invent something that would change the world for the better. She was a friend to every person she met. We will all remember the joy that was her smile and her life. Posted by Andrea Cook of Vienna, Virginia
|
|
External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pay service with live and archived video. 
