Hundreds gathered on Old Main’s steps at Pennsylvania State University on Wednesday night, while some wore greek letters and merchandise referencing the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, others did not.
All were there to pay their respects to Vitalya Sepot.
Students attend a memorial service for recently deceased Penn State student Vitalya Sepot at the Old Main lawn on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. (Tap Permyao/Daily Collegian)
Sepot, referred to as “Tally” by those who knew her, was killed last Sunday while returning from a canning trip with members of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, and the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon.
Members of Alpha Chi Omega and TKE were encouraged to stand in the front of the vigil by Samantha Bentrim, a junior studying psychology at Penn State, who helped organize the event via Facebook.
The night began with Nikki Szczepaniak, Alpha Chi Omega’s chapter president, thanking those in attendance for their support.
Szczepaniak, a junior studying psychology at Penn State, said she was astonished by the amount of money that had been raised in just two days through a GoFundMe page.
The donation page, set up by Alpha Chi Omega alumnae, raised $35,000, Szczepaniak said.
“Tally loved the Penn State atmosphere,” Szczepaniak said. “You’ve shown us a sense of community.”
After Szczepaniak’s introduction, a capella group Shades of Blue performed their first song of the night — Amazing Grace — which moved much of the crowd to tears.
Lizzy Merkouris and Brooke Chung, Sepot’s “G Big” and “Big” respectively, were the first to speak about memories associated with Sepot.
Merkouris (senior-political science) said Sepot stood out amongst her large rush class. She noted Sepot was always involved and doing everything she could to help others.
Sepot’s big, Chung, shared similar sentiments.
Chung a junior studying general science at Penn State, said she knew right away she needed Tally as her little, and referred to Sepot as “the little sister I got to choose.”
“[Tally’s] probably laughing at me and how cheesy I am right now,” Chung said, which elicited laughter from the tearful audience.
Chung also referred to Sepot’s simultaneously “sassy and sarcastic” and “caring and infectious” personality, and promised she’d continue to “smile big enough for both of [them]” while holding back tears.
“We’ll meet again someday,” Chung said, addressing Sepot, “so scope out all the good places to eat up there.”
Emily Horwitz (sophomore-advertising) writes down moments she shared with recently deceased Penn State student Vitalya Sepot during a memorial service at the Old Main lawn on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. (Tap Permyao/Daily Collegian)
Chung’s speech ended after she referred to Sepot as her “sun, moon and stars,” descriptions echoed by many others, including one of Sepot’s roommates, Paige Mitsifer.
“Tally is our sun,” Mitsifer, a sophomore studying forensic science at Penn State, said. “She shines so bright … she had such a kind soul.” She also mentioned Sepot’s charm, charisma and her internal and external beauty.
“[Tally’s] beauty was seen through her passion,” Mitsifer said.
Miranda Vece, Sepot’s best friend, was the last to offer her memories, calling Sepot a one of a kind person whose kindness she’d cherish.
“She was my person, my rock, my sunshine,” Vece said through tears. “She could make me happy and piss me off,” she added with a laugh.
Vece (sophomore-neuroscience) concluded by reciting one of Sepot’s favorite quotes — “tomorrow it may rain, but today I will follow the sun.”
“I’ll follow the sun for you,” Vece said.
A moment later, Shades of Blue began a performance of You Are My Sunshine while the attendees — many members of Alpha Chi Omega and other greek organizations — began lighting candles. After the song was completed, the sorority members stood together at the top of Old Main’s steps, and held a moment of silence.
The audience then dispersed and mingled, comforting each other and swapping stories about Sepot’s life. Many huddled on the steps to write down memories of Sepot on index cards that had been provided.
“Thank you,” Szczepaniak said in her final address to the crowd. “Tally is looking down smiling.”
This story was written by Sarah Vasile and was originally published on The Daily Collegian.
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Filed under: VOICES FROM CAMPUS Tagged: Alphi Chi Omega, Daily Collegian, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Dance Marathon, Sarah Vasile, student, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Vitalya Sepot