Requiem aeternam dona eis

It's the end of an era today. Interstate 8, WPI's "No fella, a cappella", has been retired. It has become the Technicords. For more specific information go Tara's blog.

I try my best to stay out of the blog wars and escalating emotions that can sometimes happen on blogs but today I just have to say my piece.

Founded just a year before I got to WPI in 1996 I've seen the girls through many changes and iterations. I was there for the Julie years, the BJ years, the Diane years as well as seeing them helmed by a few other very capable women. Whether it was their signature piece "Swing Low Chariot", Heather doing an incredible "Moondance", Malia being "Beautiful", getting the shivers listing the the incomprable "Alone (The Jam)", or the updated Alma Mater, their music could always make me smile.

I just found out today. I don't know what to say, or how to say it. I'm a bit numb right now. I have been a fan of I8 for years. I've personally known just about every Alumna of the organization. I would always say that they were all "my" I8 girls. There were years when I was jokingly referred to as the I8 groupie. It was always great seeing the new girls every year because they were a connection to some of great people I was friends with at WPI; Jillo, Heather, Diane, Sara, Malia, Tara, Terry, Julie, Christine, Sunshine, BJ, Jen, and so many more that I know I'm leaving off this list.

The question that rings through my head is "Why". I just don't understand. I know things change and I know time passes but I don't understand this.

Some of you may say its just a name, and didn't Shakespeare ask "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other word would smell as sweet." Unfortunately there's more to it than that. Every year was a new group of girls, some old, some new, but all were I8. It was the common factor. It was the thing that connected everything. Now its both new girls and a new name, the connection has been broken.

I have nothing against the new girls in their endeavors and I wish them well, but I hope they realize they have retired that which made the group unique and special amongst the other groups.

I also understand the hurt that the alumae are going through. I saw these girls give blood, sweat and tears to this group. They sacrificed much to keep it going. I saw them struggle to keep the group afloat when they seperated from Alden Voices, I saw the members decide to do I8 gigs rather than do other events or social events.

One other thing to the Technicords, you only stand so high because you have the benefit of standing on the shoulders of giants. Each one of those girls brought the group "Higher and Higher".

I will always have the friendships I made, the CDs, the memories and my I8 postcard saying "I8 Loves TC" signed by all the girls from 2000. :)

A toast and good bye to my dear friend I8. I'll miss you.