Finding hope in light of tragedy
A Virginia Tech student has committed to help save her friends, family, and the next girl.
by Haven Lewis
Blacksburg, Va., March 16 - Spreading Awareness in Style: A VT student is seen sporting a keychain and bracelet to represent her support of Help Save the Next Girl. In recent years, the organization has spurred a national movement.
Photographer: Haven Lewis
During her freshman year, Nikki Dean decided to become part of a growing organization on campus called Help Save the Next Girl.
Morgan Harrington’s parents founded the national organization after Morgan’s abduction and murder in 2009. The purpose of the group is to educate girls everywhere about predatory danger and ways they can prevent and avoid it. Jane Vance, a professor at Virginia Tech, founded the flagship chapter at Morgan’s alma mater.
Dean first heard about the organization through Vance, whom she had as a professor her fall semester. After suffering from family issues in the spring, she reached out to Vance who encouraged her to join the chapter.
“I have a younger sister, I have lots of girl cousins, I didn’t want anything bad to happen to them,” said Dean. “I myself don’t go out that much, so I was thinking more about all of my friends, all the people that I care about. I love the message of looking out for one another and I wanted to help spread that.”
The group assisted in Nicole Lovell’s vigil this year and hosted Hannah Graham’s vigil. They spread their message of safety and community not only on campus, but also in local middle and high schools where they can instill good habits in students before they get to college.
Dean has been a member for two-and-a-half years and is the chapter’s co-president.
“When I first started we had five chapters, we have almost 40 now,” Dean said, excitedly. “It’s really exploded across the country.”
As the flagship chapter, VT has assisted in the creation of chapters all over the nation by providing advice, information cards, and merchandise such as t-shirts and bracelets. The national and VT Facebook pages are well connected and assist one another in sharing information about missing persons.
Dean encourages anyone who wants to know more to check out Help Save the Next Girl on Gobbler Connect.
