Nicholas Giokas Journal #6

            Every night I illuminate the dark.  During the day I am simply taking up space on the drill field.  Birds tend to rest from their long days of flying on top of my head.  Students frequently post up next to me and hand out flyers for various events.  This week in particular the freshman were handing out paper on paper for some election event that I’m not involved in.  While many people do not see the point of me being on the drill field, when the sun goes down it is apparent why I am important.  My brothers and I work together to make light for the people of Virginia Tech.  Students are kept safe in my brightness.  In rain, strong wind, and heavy snowfall I continue to shine lighting a path back to the dorm rooms.  
          I stand tall as one of the oldest things on Virginia Tech's campus.  I started out small just like the college itself.  As time passed through hardships and struggles I have grown to become quite the monument of Virginia Tech.  Currently I am branched out providing shade and cover for the students under my path.  My road to growing up was not easy.  There were many long winters and hot summers to go through.  Constantly the field below me is covered in mud or ice, preventing the students from coming to visit me.  As the year goes on it seems the students seem to push through the drill field  through rain and ice and mud to come visit.  They only stay for a short while but that is all I ask for in these fast paced days.  I hope to see many more students pass my way as spring comes!
         Each morning I rise to a new day.  I am a symbol for what Virginia Tech and the whole country stands for.  I am freedom for the students below me.  I currently reside outside one of the most prestigious buildings on campus.  Constantly young high school students gather below me and wait for a educated undergrad to show them across our campus.  Each morning either a student or faculty member wakes up early to show me before the school.  My awaking is the mark of a new day of learning and experience at Virginia tech.  I see many people look at me in admiration.  I watch as the cadets train hard on the field looking up at me for inspiration.  I love standing tall for the campus to see!