Friends, family and members of the Cal State University-Long Beach community gathered on campus Sunday evening to mourn the death of Nohemi Gonzalez, the 23-year-old design student who died in Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.
Overflow crowd of students at Long Beach State Vigil for Nohemi Gonzalez killed in Paris pic.twitter.com/PfxBTrI2yq— Gene Haagenson (@GeneABC30) November 16, 2015
The CSU Long Beach campus is packed for a candlelight vigil for #NohemiGonzalez and #ParisAttack victims pic.twitter.com/po3h4pVmqr— Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) November 16, 2015
An overflow crowd packed a ballroom at the CSULB student union, overflowing into a nearby lobby. Nohemi was the first reported American victim of the attacks. She was studying abroad as part of an exchange program with the Strate College of Design in Paris.
Her mother, Beatriz Gonzalez, said Nohemi graduated early from high school and couldn't wait to go to college. "She was very independent since she was little," she said. Design professor Michael LaForte said Gonzalez stood out at the California university. "She was a shining star, and she brought joy, happiness, laughter to everybody she worked with and her students, her classmates."
Thousands gather at #CSULB for #NohemiGonzalez vigil - Beautiful stories about the #ParisAttack victim shared pic.twitter.com/848qToUw08— Mireya CBS (@cbsmireya) November 16, 2015
.@CSULB vigil for #NohemiGonzalez, French flag displayed at the lectern. pic.twitter.com/8cu2fmKAgN— Patrick O'Donnell (@AsmPatODonnell) November 16, 2015
Friends and family shared stories of Nohemi on Sunday. David Lee, a design instructor who taught Nohemi, said, "Her magic and beauty was so effortless," according to the Los Angeles Times.
Per KTLA, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia attended, saying, “The people of Long Beach stand with Paris and with all the people around the world who share those values. In the coming days I know that our nation will stand with France."
Vigil ends for CSULB student #NohemiGonzalez killed in Friday's Paris attacks pic.twitter.com/VeUua12zzY— Stephanie Rivera (@Steph_LBPost) November 16, 2015
A touching tribute to the life of #NohemiGonzalez at @CSULB pic.twitter.com/LfJdsu0k4E— Miles Bruner (@Miles12287) November 16, 2015
In a statement posted to the school's website, President Jane Close Conoley said:
“Taking the life of an innocent is an assault on our hearts and on our world. Nohemi was an innocent of great promise, a light in our community. We gather today to honor and to mourn Nohemi by sharing our remembrances of her and our love for her. While today’s vigil is focused on Nohemi and her cherished family, friends, and professors, we can’t help but experience the anguish felt by all those people of good will around the world suffering after these tragic attacks. Our hearts are one.”
Whittier High School, from which Nohemi graduated, is holding a vigil on Monday.
WHS hosting Candle-Light Vigil for passing of 2010 Alum Nohemi Gonzalez Tues 11/17 4:30pm Front Lawn Whittier High. pic.twitter.com/pA5MozK7Qk— whittier high school (@whittierhs) November 15, 2015
The school reports that the other 17 students currently studying abroad in France are safe.