On Thursday, May 13, American River College will hold an in-person candlelight vigil on the main campus from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to honor all that’s been lost since March 2020. All members of the ARC community are invited to attend, according to an email sent out to students, faculty and staff by Scott Crow, ARC communications and public information officer. 

 “In conversations with students, faculty, staff and administrators, it was clear many in our community were hurting and managing strong feelings related to loss,” Crow said in an email to the Current. “It was also clear that people were interested in meeting on campus, in-person – following social distancing guidelines, of course.”

Crow said that the plan for the vigil is to offer a space for the campus community to come together, encourage and strengthen each other and lift each other up during this time.

“This vigil will offer the community an opportunity to remember those who have been lost since March 2020, as well as those who feel the loss of connection and community because of the pandemic and campus closures,” Crow said in the email. “There will be a Memory Wall for anyone to honor a lost family member, friend, or loved one.” 

Crow said that the Memory Wall will be a bulletin board where participants can post a “memory note” to their loved ones. Crow added that the board will be maintained electronically and physically, for members of the community to view as a reminder of the impact of the pandemic and those lost.

The vigil will take place in the quad area near the new STEM building and Learning Resource Center, according to Crow. He added in his email, that attendees should enter campus through the stadium parking lot on College Oak Drive, and masks, as well as social distancing, will be required at the vigil. 

“Many of us are experiencing feelings of being disconnected from each other. Zoom can only go so far. We miss meeting in person. We feel a sense of loss from something that gave us great strength – being together,” Crow said. “We are hopeful our community will be able to attend this event and help with that loss of connection.”

To attend, RSVP in advance at bit.ly/ARCvigil. According to Crow, if you are unable to attend but would like a loved one’s name to be remembered at the vigil, you can share that information at bit.ly/ARCvigil.