Students make origami wishes

The University community held a vigil of silence in response to the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan in the Wolf Plaza Monday.

Origami Wishes, which organized the vigil, is an umbrella group composed of the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service, Student Government and various Japanese clubs and organizations. The group's mission is to host fundraisers and support any events that contribute to Japanese relief efforts.

According to Hunter Isgrig, one of the event's organizers and a sophomore in biology, the event was held for attendees to see how the earthquake and tsunami affected the N.C. State community and to educate and encourage people to take action towards relief efforts.

The event's speakers included agency counseling graduate student Hiroko Kawamura, N.C. Japan Center representative Dr. John Baugh, and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Thomas Stafford.

"Today the Wolfpack family comes together—faculty, staff, students, administration—to show our support for those who have been affected by this tragedy and to keep the victims of this tragedy in our thoughts and in our prayers," Stafford said, speaking at the vigil.

Students hung their wishes and prayers for Japanese earthquake victims on one of the wolf statues in the plaza where students and visitors can read them.

Kawamura, with Chanoyu, a traditional Japanese tea club, set up a donation table at the vigil. Donors were offered an origami crane or a cup of green tea. While Chanoyu usually shows their tea practice in Duke gardens, they brought their tea and skills to help the relief effort.

"It's a part of Japanese traditional culture, and we liked to combine that into our support effort," Kawamura said. "One of our members was caught in the earthquake so we like to do what we can using our knowledge and skill in Japanese culture to help our friends."

Kawamura said that the member of Chanoyu that was caught in the earthquake has since been contacted and is unharmed.

Future events planned by Origami Wishes include a Coldstone Creamery ice-cream social, an origami crane-folding fundraiser, a candlelight night vigil with speakers and traditional Japanese music and a dance party fundraiser.