By AP

BLACKSBURG, VA. -- Still grieving and increasingly wary of the media spotlight, Virginia Tech students returned to their beleaguered campus yesterday, preparing to salvage the final weeks of a semester eclipsed by violence.

The scene resembled move-in day in late summer, with parents helping their kids carry suitcases into dorms. There were tears and hugs. Instead of excitement for the year ahead, there was simply determination to endure and regroup in the fall.

The university will give students a choice: They can continue their studies through the end of the semester next week and take a grade based on what they have done so far. Or they may withdraw from a course without penalty. Officials say they do not know how many will be here when classes resume today.

"I want to go back. It's just really strange to just stop going," said Paul Deyerle, a sophomore from Roanoke who was helping a friend move belongings from the dormitory where another close friend, Ryan Clark, was among those killed in the rampage.

Students interviewed in recent days say they and everyone they know intends to return.

"This is the best school around," said Steven Mason, a senior from Appomattox. "As far I'm concerned, they did everything they could."

April 23, 2007

Grim VTech students head back to class

Page 1 sur 1

2007-04-23http://www.ottawasun.com/News/National/2007/04/23/pf-4113142.html