He Said: Victoria's Secret Concert

Third He Said! From September 13th, 2012.

Last year, Virginia Tech student’s facebook, twitter, and other social media accounts were overrun with notifications about the Victoria’s Secret Collegiate Showdown. We were locked in battle through several rounds with other notable universities, but were able to come together and win a free concert by Victoria’s Secret. Throughout the process, I was shocked and slightly disappointed by the amount of people who got behind this contest. Not because it wasn’t enough people, or because people weren’t passionate about getting support; quite the opposite really. I was upset because of the vast amount of people who were passionate and trying to rally others to the cause; a cause which frankly doesn’t matter.

We live in a society that’s all about me. The American Dream has been twisted and clichéd into the self-serving, instant gratification monster that it is today. When we live like this, we miss out on the opportunity to help others and truly make a difference.

What we need isn’t the Gym Class Heroes signing on the drillfield. What we need a change of heart toward service and self-sacrifice. When you work towards having a spirit of compassion, you get to see the world as it really is: a broken place filled with beautiful lost people, who need help.

Don’t get me wrong though, I understand that thus far I’ve sounded pretty high and righteous, pointing the finger at others and not seeing flaws in myself. I know it’s tough to serve, to put yourself in a humbling position, sacrificing time, money and resources. Thankfully, Virginia Tech is filled with loving service organizations who strive to facilitate students in helping those less fortunate.

A few groups in particular come to mind right away. Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of being friends with Bryan Wynkoop, one of the most serving and passionate people I’ve met. He is a big part of putting on Relay for Life every year at Tech, and does a great job of making it fun and effective. Each year through Relay, Virginia Tech students raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to find the cure for cancer. Students Helping Honduras is another great organization here at Tech, they work to raise money and send help to build orphanages in impoverished regions of Honduras, and be a light to kids down there who have frequently been unloved and forgotten.

 So today, as your downloading Nickelback in order to get the sound of the Gym Class Heroes out of your ears, and signing up for the Hanes Collegiate Showdown, consider checking out a service organization and getting involved. Who knows maybe it’ll even be more fulfilling than the Victoria’s Secret free concert. Guess there’s only one way to find out.