Jake, Clara Jane, and Chris
A student's perspective
Jake Silverman
The foundation of The Big Event, and my personal favorite aspect of it, is the community. As Hokies, we have the opportunity every April to say “thank you” to our local homeowners, current and former faculty and staff, veterans and active military members, families new and old, as well as local businesses and community centers. More than anything, it is a chance to give back to the people who truly make Virginia Tech what it is. This exchange of gratitude does not only affect the community we serve, but also the community serving alongside one another. Where else can thousands of individuals come together and be united through the power of service?
As a staff member of The Big Event, we have the exciting opportunity every Saturday morning to take part in project checks, where we meet homeowners face to face and evaluate what they need, as well as how we can help them to the best of our abilities. As a freshman discovering the place I would call home for the next four years, being able to see the people and the community that make it possible through these tangible interactions truly strengthened my love for Virginia Tech and everything its community stands for.
Clara Jane Crocker
As a South Carolina native, I was inspired to pursue an education at Virginia Tech due to the university’s foundation of service, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). In joining The Big Event as a Student Outreach staff member, I found the culmination of work done to prepare for The Big Event on the actual day-of to be the most fulfilling and humbling day of my college experience. It is incredible to see the thousands of Hokies buzzing around the Drillfield, eager to serve the residents who make Blacksburg feel like home. Every Big Event project is a massive stepping stone in bridging our greater community with our students. I was just one small part of an intricate puzzle that had to work to make our projects run smoothly, our students be safe and have fun, and for our community to be impacted for the better.
Furthermore, interacting with some of the thousands of student-volunteers on the Drillfield before they headed off to their service projects in the New River Valley is incredibly rewarding. I spoke with students from every walk of life, every major, every organization; and yet they were all there for one purpose: to uphold Ut Prosim.
Chris Harper
I knew Virginia Tech was the school I wanted to attend from the moment I first visited as a high school senior, but my involvement with The Big Event has been an integral part of what made me truly love this university and community. As a volunteer during my freshman year, I had the opportunity to help a wonderful homeowner — a former Virginia Tech student — clear out his severely overgrown shed and backyard. The following year, I joined The Big Event staff because I was so moved by the bridge that The Big Event created between students and homeowners, which gave me an even deeper understanding of what it means to be a Hokie. Participating in The Big Event each year is one of the best ways for Virginia Tech students to embody our motto, Ut Prosim, as it allows each person to strengthen their bond — and the university’s bond — with the surrounding community that supports our academics, athletics, and organizations. It is the most meaningful way to give back and show our appreciation to the residents of the New River Valley. Finding my place within The Big Event has also allowed me to meet like-minded individuals and develop lasting friendships over my three years on staff and the executive team. I have loved my time at Virginia Tech, and although many of my friends will graduate and leave at the end of this semester, while I remain for my master’s program, I know I will always have a place with The Big Event team.
Jake Silverman is a sophomore double-majoring in psychology and biology from Rockville, MD. He has been a leader of The Big Event for the past two years and currently serves as one of the Student Outreach Executives. He is also an active member in the professional pre-health fraternity Delta Epsilon Mu and takes part in other volunteer efforts on and off campus.
Clara Jane Crocker is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Conservation and Society and minoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. She has been a leader in The Big Event for the past two years and currently serves as one of the Student Outreach Executives. She also leads Wyldlife at Shawsville Middle School, serves as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County, and participates in conservation and education efforts through the College of Natural Resources.
Chris Harper is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering who will continue at Virginia Tech next year to pursue a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. He has been a leader for The Big Event over the past three years and serves on the board as a Student Outreach Executive. In addition to this role, three of his other most notable on-campus activities include serving as an engineer with the Quality of Life Plus organization to assist disabled veterans and first responders, playing for the Men’s Club Soccer Team, and working as a cook at Perry Place Dining Hall to support himself through school.