More than 3,900 miles of land and ocean separate the people of Oxford, Michigan from the people of Paris, France.
But geographic distance mattered very little last week as the inhabitants of these two places were united in spirit thanks to the efforts of Oxford High School junior Olivia Upham.
Armed with flashlights, glow sticks, cell phones and other light sources, an estimated 200 people gathered in the center of a darkened OHS football field and formed the shape of the Eiffel Tower at 7 p.m. Nov. 17. They did it to honor the victims of the recent terrorist attacks on French soil.
Upham organized the event as a way to ‘stand in solidarity with Paris.?
‘Tonight, we’re all French,? she told this reporter.
On Nov. 13, Islamist terrorists carried out seven coordinated attacks in Paris and its northern suburb, Saint-Denis. The terrorists perpetrated mass shootings and suicide bombings, killing 130 people and wounding more than 350. Many of the victims were doing nothing more than simply enjoying a meal or attending a rock concert.
Media reports of the massacre left Upham feeling ‘helpless and shocked.?
‘This is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,? she said.
Feeling the need to take action, Upham worked with the OHS administration to quickly organize last week’s event.
‘It all came together within two days,? she said. ‘This is the world I’m growing up in, so I decided to do something to help change it.?
After the crowd assembled on the field, Upham gave a brief speech.
‘We are the embodiment of what it means to be a community,? she said. ‘Look at what we have done. We are the transition between what it means to live near each other and what it means to live with each other.?
‘We can’t fix that night (in Paris),? Upham continued. ‘But we can pledge to do well with our dreams, our adventures and our purpose (in life). We can pledge to take advantage of the family we have here tonight. We can pledge to stand in solidarity with Paris (during) this harrowing time.?
Upham was amazed and grateful so many Oxford students, parents and residents participated in the event.
‘I was actually pretty floored because it was very short notice,? she told this reporter. ‘Thank you to everyone that came. It means a lot to me and to everyone in France.?
Upham’s mother, Renee, was ‘stunned? by the number of people who attended.
‘I think it’s a testament to this community (that so many people are willing) to show solidarity with some place so far away,? she said. ‘I think it’s a beautiful thing.?
Among those in attendance was French citizen Olivier Pugliese, who’s lived in Oxford since July 2013 with his wife, Kittie, and two daughters, Malena, a fifth-grader at Oxford Elementary, and Sophia, a second-grader at Daniel Axford Elementary.
‘It was very emotional to see this,? he said. ‘I think it was very thoughtful and very nice to see all the people come on (such) short notice. It’s not just big cities expressing their solidarity. It’s all corners of the U.S. I’d like to thank everybody.?
Reflecting on the attacks, Olivier said, ‘It’s still hard to process. I could not believe it.?
His thoughts were divided between trying to comprehend the senseless acts of these Islamist terrorists who have ‘lost their humanity? and ‘been brainwashed,? and his deep concern for loved ones in his native land.
‘I have several friends that live in Paris and a few that live in the area where this happened, but fortunately, none of my family or friends were injured,? Olivier said.
Kittie, who is an American, was impressed by Upham.
‘That someone so young has this perspective (on) the world around her is great,? she said. ‘I think young people like this will ultimately be great assets to the world.?
‘She’s been brought up right,? Kittie added.
Renee Upham is ‘proud? of her daughter’s actions, but she’s not surprised by them.
‘This is her,? she said. ‘This is everything she’s about.?
Renee firmly believes the Oxford school district helped her daughter become the person she is today.
‘She’s flourished here and part of who she is I give credit to her teachers (and) her principals,? she said.
Seeing all those people gathered on the field made Olivier and Kittie proud to call Oxford their home.
‘We’re really actually very pleased with the choice we made to live here,? Olivier said.
‘That’s what’s nice about Oxford, it’s an international community here. It really is,? Kittie said.
Joining the couple was their friend and neighbor Ana Easlick, an Oxford resident and dual citizen of the U.S. and Brazil. The event and Upham’s efforts reminded Easlick of a famous quote by beloved children’s television host Fred Rogers, who passed away in 2003.
‘When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping,?? Rogers said. ‘To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,? I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers ? so many caring people in this world.?
‘I think (Upham is) one of the helpers,? Easlick said. ‘I think sometimes we tend to spend too much time thinking about those criminals, those crazy people (in the world) and that’s what they want. They want the attention. I think we should turn the camera on people like this young girl here tonight. She’s actually doing something constructive to help the world be a better place.?