Leslie was an incredible girl with a heart of gold and a smile that could end wars. I was lucky enough to have traveled with her to New Orleans over Thanksgiving break to help with Katrina relief work. She had an unparalleled zest for life and was an unconditional source of energy and vivacity. No matter how daunting the task at hand, she was always willing and ready to jump in head first and make a difference. She will always be in my heart, and I know that right now she is trying to explain to heaven what a Hokie is with her big smile, exaggerated hand movements and perhaps even a little dance. We will miss you forever.

Leslie was an AMAZING woman. I worked with her at the West End Market dining hall and she always came over to say something witty and funny to make me laugh. She always had a smile on her face and you couldn't miss her in a crowd. She was also an avid runner. One of her most proud moments was when she completed the Marine Corps Marathon this past fall in a time of 4:02:28. She would always tell me she was "so sloooow" but eventually gave in to my repeated pleas for her to join the triathlon team. She sent me an e-mail on Saturday the 14th telling me that she was "finally taking action on my interest in the Triathlon club."

I have a fond memory of her from just last week. I was headed to my anatomy class on Tuesday the 10th at 3:30 p.m. On my way in I saw her running by, we said hello and then she kept on running. After that hour long class I headed home, sat around for a little while then headed out to the grocery store down the road. On the way there I saw her STILL RUNNING. The time elapsed had been at LEAST 2 hours. I talked with her about this the next day and she simply said this to me. "Oh yeah, that was when I really didn't feel like doing my homework...so I went for a nice little run instead." She followed up her words with a giggle and flashing her unforgettable smile.

Leslie will never be forgotten as a member of the West End family, Hokie family, or the running community here in Blacksburg.

I have been getting frustrated that so little has been said of Leslie considering what a great person she was. I wish I had known her better and could expound on her as much as she deserves. But this I do know, she was a history and international studies major and was greatly interested in Russian history. She was also planning on taking a summer trip to Russia for the State Department. Leslie also loved to run, she ran the 2006 Marine Corps Marathon and was a member of her high school's (West Springfield, Virginia) cross country and track and field team. Leslie's beautiful smile will be greatly missed, she was such a beautiful person and had such a wonderful spirit.

I was fortunate to teach Leslie Sherman in my Advanced Placement European History course at West Springfield High School. She was a wonderful student with a creative mind and a great sense of humor. Academically, she was brilliant without being "bookish." During her senior year, she served as president of our History Honor Society and was awarded the Social Studies Department Award for outstanding scholarship. She also ran on our school cross country team for four straight years, so she was truly a gifted student-athlete. After graduation, Leslie frequently visited her former teachers at West Springfield, and we were not surprised to learn that she was majoring in history and international relations at Virginia Tech. Her death is a shock to all of us at West Springfield High School, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Leslie's family. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Leslie was an absolutely incredible friend. I took Applied History with her senior year of High School and she never ever failed to brighten my day. We took several field trips together for class and on one particular occasion, we rode down to Monticello with her dad and a couple of the guys in class. She had amazing insight and was always eager to learn. She was an amazing runner and was part of the WSHS cross country team for all 4 years of high school. She was an avid historian and hoped to study in Russia this summer. Leslie was an absolute joy to be around. It was no secret that her friendship brightened the lives of SO many people. Leslie was more than a good student, a good runner, a good person and a good friend. She will be sorely missed by the VT community as well as the WSHS community and all who had the privilege and honor of knowing her.

Leslie is one of those people in your life you will never forget, and surely never forget after what has happened. She was an amazing person who never failed to have a smile on her face and cheer you up. She had a passion for photography and history and of course running and I was and am now more than ever honored that I was able to know her. There are really no words to describe the loss of such an outgoing, wonderful, caring, brilliant, and amazing person. It is a shame that the rest of the world will not get to know Leslie Sherman, and it's heartbreaking to know that I will never again see her goofy smile or hear her laugh. But she will always be in the hearts of those she touched, we will never forget her.

Leslie was a treasured member of the Virginia Tech Main Campbell Honors Community. Her intellect added spirit and new perspective to our colloquium discussion groups, provoking us to challenge our ways of thinking. I am grateful for the chance to have known her, and she will be deeply missed.