No one ever thinks a joke will result in the end of someone’s life.
In the case of West Virginia University junior Sean Kyrie Rascoe, that is precisely what happened.
Rascoe, 20, died of head trauma sustained from being thrown off a moving car in the Mountainlair parking garage Saturday.
There are many interpretations of the story circulating; most of which are false due to the fact local police have yet to disclose more details.
After speaking with University administration and members of the Rascoe family, it is imperative that Sean’s peers do not spread false stories regarding his death.
That will do nothing but point blame and defame the character of a young man who lost his life.
Sean’s immediate family met with administration Monday evening.
Another student leader and I were asked to come and meet with them.
I did not know what to expect when I entered the meeting room, and at first I was very nervous.
Sean and I had met in passing, but we were not friends. I knew very little of him, but I always heard positive things regarding his character as a student and as a friend.
I wanted to offer them some kind of comfort, but the words escaped me.
As we talked, I realized the comfort I could offer them.
Through my column, I could offer his family the opportunity to say about Sean what they want people to know.
At times like this, people get wrapped up in the logistics of the situation: the "when, where and how" aspects of the story.
It is important to have an understanding of who the person involved really was.
Some have already begun to speculate, characterizing and judging this young man without knowing the first thing about him.
It is understandable not everyone would have the privilege of personally knowing Sean, but as the details surrounding this tragedy gain more attention, his mother, father, brother and other family members would like for us to know a few things about Sean.
In the loving words of Sean’s mother Mrs. Rascoe, Sean was truly a blessing to his entire family and everyone who knew him.
All family members present agreed Sean was a sweet and compassionate young man, who had, as his father called it, an "infectious smile."
He was a great big brother and a caring friend.
He came to WVU in 2007 and was pursuing a degree in industrial engineering. On campus, Sean was in the National Society of Black Engineers and was excited about venturing out and joining other organizations.
He was researching fraternities and had recently become a member of a local custom car club.
Besides his passion for cars, Sean also loved basketball.
He played through high school, and I was told that he loved to play here with his friends.
His family feels it is important for everyone to know and understand that Sean had never been in trouble of any kind.
His mother referred to him as "an angel, who did his best to do what he was told."
As more details of this tragedy begin to surface, we should not judge Sean or any other party involved based on their actions Saturday night but on the basis of who they really were.
The untimely death of Sean could have been avoided had better decisions been made by himself and the driver.
However, we are all human, and there is not one person on this earth who has never made a mistake or done something in poor judgment.
During this terrible time, we should try to pay our respects to Sean by using this situation as a learning experience.
Police stated the driver of the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol.
As college students, we are beat over the head with the notion not to drink and drive.
Unfortunately, it sometimes takes tragedies like this one for people to realize the severity of driving under the influence.
No one ever thinks something like this could happen to them, but all it takes is one bad judgment call to end a life.
The University community will mourn the loss of Sean for a long time.
In honoring his memory, let’s try to remember him as the great friend, student and person that his family and friends knew him to be.
Also, there would be no better way to honor his memory than to make a campus-wide initiative and effort to prevent students from driving under the influence of alcohol.
The University will hold a bell ringing ceremony in honor of Sean March 12 at noon in Woodburn Circle.
The Black Student Union will also host a candlelight vigil that evening at 6 p.m. in the Free Speech Zone in front of the Mountainlair.
Sean is gone but not forgotten, and with the help and support of students, faculty, staff and the Morgantown community, we can work to ensure this kind of tragedy doesn’t happen here at the University again.
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