ASUI hosts memorial to mourn the loss of UI students

On Wednesday evening, despite the cold rain, the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial was lit up by candlelight from hundreds of students who mourned the loss of the four University of Idaho students: Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle.  

The day marked the second anniversary of their passing and ASUI, along with the Made With Kindness Foundation, hosted a memorial and candlelight vigil in their honor. Attendees were given a candle and a postcard where they could write notes to those who had passed and place them in the memorial.  

ASUI didn’t want the memorial to be formal or have a large program.  

“We really wanted to make sure that students had a space to come together today,” Martha Smith, the president of ASUI, said before the memorial. “The Vandal family is a very real thing, and this sort of thing gives us an opportunity to lean on each other.” 

Smith also stated that this event was about remembrance for all, but especially for the upperclassman who knew the students.  

The memorial fell on World Kindness Day. The founder of Made with Kindness, an organization made in memory of Goncalves, Mogen and Kernodle, spoke during the memorial.  

“Today is a day that may just be another day to most people, but to others, this day will never be the same,” Angela Navejas said, the mother of Ashlin Couch, who is the co-founder of the organization. “We lost four beautiful souls that meant so much to so many. Those of us fortunate enough to have known them experienced their extraordinary light and now the world is beginning to recognize their legacy in the wake of an unimaginable loss. This day carries significant weight as a reminder of the lasting influence of their kindness.” 

Even though they learned that Nov. 13 was World Kindness Day only a couple weeks ago, Navejas said, “now it feels like it was always meant to be a part of our story.”  

Students were encouraged to reflect on their memories and time at UI and to blow out their candle.  

“This is a place of healing and remembrance,” Blaine Eckles, the Dean of Students said. “This space is for you; it is for them—it is for all of us.” 

Andrea Roberts can be reached at [email protected].