Remembering fallen sorority sister Alexa Duran
Photo collage of Duran and her sisters were showcased on the welcome table of her remembrance event.
What was supposed to be a casual day spent running errands soon turned into a tragic nightmare for Alexa Duran.
While waiting for a light around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, the freshly built FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge collapsed after five days of being up. Duran’s gray Toyota SUV in the right most lane was heavily impacted on the driver’s side when the bridge fell.
The recent tragedy rocked the University’s community, especially Duran’s sorority, Alpha Xi Delta (AXiD). All those affiliated with the sorority have had a hard time grappling the news. In light of the event, the sisters of Duran’s sorority held a remembrance event Friday afternoon in the Graham Center.
Born on May 18, 1999, Duran elated those around her with her selfless, outgoing personality, according to those who spoke at the remembrance.
Duran was a recent alumni of Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches. There she gave herself the nickname, “Rolex,” which carried into her brief time at FIU. Duran was a sister in the Panhellenic Council sorority, AXiD.
Pictures of Duran were plastered all over the welcome table, capturing the student’s happiest moments. Her sister’s, as well as other Greek members and members of the FIU community, sniffled into tissues and grasped onto each other’s hands as they reminisced on the blissful memories they shared with Duran.
The event experienced a slight delay as they waited for Duran’s family. Once the event commenced, the president of AXiD, Nathalie Moreira, welcomed the crowd with a few words. Duran’s pledge sister’s circled the podium as they began to share their most treasured memories of their fallen sister.
Sleepovers, parking fiascos, Windbreaker Wednesdays and “cara de papas” were just a few of the recollections Duran’s pledge sisters made.
Lynnet Gomez, a freshman majoring in political science, was one of the closest to Duran. The two met at their freshman orientation, where they discovered many of their many shared interests.
“Alexa, for me, you were the reason I learned not to be afraid to be myself,” said Gomez. “I promise to continue to live out my life fully in honor of you.”
Freshman international business major, Rachel Gilbert, also had the chance to know Duran. Duran was one to care deeply for others, Gilbert said, and always went above and beyond for those she cared about.
“Alexa, you were my home away from home,” sad Gilbert.
President Mark B. Rosenberg also made an appearance at the event. He spoke on Duran’s legacy among her sisters, and touched on the resilience of FIU’s community during grave times of need. He also addressed how Duran acquired authenticity, and how those grieving can find support and strength from the quality.
Rosenberg urges those close to her to “utilize these moments” to “transcend the strength from your sisters into rebuilding.”
“Love is a beacon within us, and love can give us the strength we need to better people,” Rosenberg said. “Love is how we can make the difference in Alexa’s memory.”
The audience also heard the heartbroken words of her sorority big sister, Amber Martinez. The fellow sister teared up as she looked back at her time with Duran, on her loyalty and generosity, and wished she could have done something to save her “little sister.”
“What could I have done to save her?” said Martinez.
One of Duran’s fellow sisters compiled a video in memoriam of Duran, which showcased photos of Duran from her birth, all the way to her time at FIU with AXiD.
Lianet Bujosa, a sophomore studying music education, and Emily Blanco, senior majoring in communication arts, closed the ceremony with a traditional AXiD hymn.
The event may be long over, but the spirit of Alexa Duran will live on forever in the hearts of her family and sisters.