I attended a reading at the University of Cincinnati on the night of October 5th, 2017 by 2015-2017 United States Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. During his reading, we listened to a piece from his book titled "187 Reasons Mexicanos Can't Cross The Border." The piece he read from his collection was titled "Señorita X: song for the yellow-robed girl from Juárez," a tribute bringing attention to the horrific and senseless murders which took place, and are quite possibly still taking place, in the town of Cuidad Juárez, Mexico.

Herrera struggled to finish his 8-page poem, and it took a moment for him to regain his composure. With newfound resolve, he told us that he believes it is our duty as writers, as students, and as caring people to give life to the victims of senseless tragedies by sharing their names. In much of his work, but especially in "Señorita X: song for the yellow-robed girl from Juárez," it becomes apparent just how much power a name can carry. In his poem, he gives identity, voice, and attention to just a few of the hundreds of women whose lives were lost in Juárez.

The reason I'm sharing this with you is that Herrera asked us to do exactly what he did, and I decided to follow through on his request. I don't have a poem for you, but I do have the names of all 58 of the people who perished on that terrible night in Las Vegas, Nevada. This isn't about political rhetoric or inciting hatred. I just want to do my part in making sure these men and women are never forgotten. The list I have for you is from this source.

The Fallen:

Ahlers, Hannah Lassette 6/2/1983 Female

Alvarado, Heather Lorraine 9/20/1982 Female

Anderson, Dorene 4/16/1968 Female

Barnette, Carrie Rae 12/16/1982 Female

Beaton, Jack Reginald 12/10/1962 Male

Berger, Stephen Richard 9/30/1973 Male

Bowers, Candice Ryan 8/10/1977 Female

Burditus, Denise 6/5/1967 Female

Casey, Sandra 11/1/1982 Female

Castilla, Andrea Lee Anna 9/29/1989 Female

Cohen, Denise 8/2/1959 Female

Davis, Austin William 6/20/1988 Male

Day Jr., Thomas 10/29/1972 Male

Duarte, Christiana 8/7/1995 Female

Etcheber, Stacee Ann 2/26/1967 Female

Fraser, Brian S. 8/20/1978 Male

Galvan, Keri 8/20/1986 Female

Gardner, Dana Leann 7/6/1965 Female

Gomez, Angela C. 12/26/1996 Female

Guillen, Rocio 12/20/1976 Female

Hartfield, Charleston 5/16/1983 Male

Hazencomb, Christopher 9/27/1973 Male

Irvine, Jennifer Topaz 6/6/1975 Female

Kimura, Teresa Nicol 3/24/1979 Female

Klymchuk, Jessica 5/1/1983 Female

Kreibaum, Carly Anne 12/9/1983 Female

LeRocque, Rhonda M. 8/29/1975 Female

Link, Victor L. 9/7/1962 Male

Mclldoon, Jordan 10/6/1993 Male

Meadows, Kelsey Breanne 6/26/1989 Female

Medig, Calla-Marie 8/8/1989 Female

Melton, James 8/2/1988 Male

Mestas, Patricia 7/25/1950 Female

Meyer, Austin Cooper 9/18/1993 Male

Murfitt, Adrian Allan 7/5/1982 Male

Parker, Rachael Kathleen 12/16/1983 Female

Parks, Jennifer 1/18/1981 Female

Parsons, Carolyn Lee 12/28/1985 Female

Patterson, Lisa Marie 6/26/1971 Female

Phippen, John Joseph 10/25/1960 Male

Ramirez, Melissa V. 11/29/1990 Female

Rivera, Jordyn N. 7/22/1996 Female

Robbins, Quinton 3/21/1997 Male

Robinson, Cameron 1/1/1989 Male

Roe, Tara Ann 9/1/1983 Female

Romero-Muniz, Lisa 5/19/1969 Female

Roybal, Christopher Louis 10/9/1988 Male

Schwanbeck, Brett 1/31/1956 Male

Schwitzer, Bailey 4/5/1997 Female

Shipp, Laura Anne 5/9/1967 Female

Silva, Erick 8/19/1996 Male

Smith, Susan 8/24/1964 Female

Stewart, Brennan Lee 2/19/1987 Male

Taylor, Derrick Dean 9/25/1961 Male

Tonks, Neysa C. 7/27/1971 Female

Vo, Michelle 1/10/1985 Female

Von Tillow, Kurt Allen 12/4/1961 Male

Wolfe Jr., William W. 10/15/1974 Male

Each of these men and women has a story of their own, and every one of them will be missed by someone. Please take a moment from your day to mourn and understand this great loss. Carry these names with you and let them guide your path forward.

If you'd like to help out the families of these victims, you can donate here.