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By Anita L. Sherman
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
It’s December for Eric and Elizabeth Hilscher and this Christmas won’t be the same. There won’t be a young girl looking for an opportunity to go snowboarding and they won’t have a mess to clean up in the kitchen after she’s prepared a big breakfast.
Their youngest daughter, Emily Jane Hilscher, was killed this past April, one of the first victims in the tragedy at Virginia Tech, which rocked the nation and struck at the heart of Rappahannock County residents. Emily was a graduate of Rappahannock County High School and her death was mourned by fellow students, friends, teachers, administrators and most poignantly by her family..
Today, her parents, are still trying to make sense out of a senseless act. They welcome you with broad smiles bearing a brave front, engage in immediate conversation and look forward to the opportunity to share a cup of coffee and their latest plans to remember Emily in a meaningful way.
Both wear wristbands of burgundy and orange and when Eric Hilscher reaches for a cup of coffee, it’s in a striking mug bearing the initials of Emily’s alma mater. They are living with the unthinkable, the unbearable but both of them are moving beyond their grief in their own ways and one of those is to establish an award to celebrate Emily’s life in a very unique venue.
“Every morning she hit the ground running, Emily was passionate about two things,” said Beth Hilscher, “people and horses.” Before her young life was tragically ended, Emily had plans to spend eight years at Virginia Tech becoming a veterinarian specializing in equine reproduction. She had become a member of the Virginia Tech equestrian team in the spring of2007. Emily’s passion for horses was well known only equaled by her spontaneous and genuine love of people. It was a hallmark of her personality to seek out. the good in people and energize them to dream big and reach for those dreams.
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