About 50 students, parents and children turned the Alumni Plaza hill into a makeshift memorial on Friday afternoon for those who died in the shootings at Virginia Tech.

Holding pieces of orange and maroon paper, the group formed the school’s logo and remained silent for 32 seconds – one second for each life lost during the April 17 shooting.

The memorial was organized by KNST radio in Tucson.

“”We’ve lived in a lot of college towns, university towns, and we know there’s been a tragedy here a few years ago,”” said Jim Parisi of KNST radio’s morning show, referring to the 2002 shooting at the College of Nursing in which three professors were killed. “”We think there’s a relationship between folks that go to college in every city in the country.””

The station wanted to show people at Virginia Tech that they have support across the country.

“”It’s just our way here in Arizona to show that we care across America,”” said Alex Smith, who works on promotions and arts development for KNST.

Those who participated wanted to show support for those who lost their lives, while others on the UA Mall were asked to participate.

“”I just happened to be sitting here and they approached me,”” said Mike Geary, a psychology junior who was sitting on the Alumni Plaza hill when the memorial began. “”You might as well honor the dead, and they asked me to.””

The event was photographed and filmed. The footage will be sent to Virginia Tech as a symbol of support, even though some time has passed since the shootings, Parisi said.

“”Whatever we can do so the folks at Virginia Tech know there are college kids all over the country who feel it,”” Parisi said.