By: Devon Cormier
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Stephanie Turaj
From Left: Students Ana Gwozdz and Julie Morrison decorate Christmas ornaments at “A Very Wakehurst Christmas.”
Photo credit: Stephanie Turaj
A group of Salve students enjoy each other’s company, a plethora of holiday food and an open mic performance while relaxing in the Wakehurst Fireplace Lounge.
If one were in Wakehurst student center Friday evening, one would be surrounded by large crowds of students, as well as the echo of Christmas music festivities, part of the first annual “A Very Wakehurst Christmas.” The Office of Student Activities has been working very hard this year in coming up with new campus traditions, and what better way to bring students together during the holiday season than a celebration of Christmas cheer.
Inside Wakehurst, the halls were decked with festive garlands, lights, big red bows, pine trees and all things Christmas. At 6 pm students gathered here to partake in a range of activities, or to simply enjoy the atmosphere in good company. CAB members and Heather Barbour, the director of Salve student activities, worked very hard in creating this fun, festive event. In the lobby of Wakehurst, students could approach various stations to make candy-cane reindeer, decorate ornaments or even make their own Snow-Kone. Downstairs in the basement, students had the opportunity to watch holiday classic “The Polar Express” in the Wakehurst theater. Back upstairs, in the dining area, students gathered to have their pictures taken- either with friends or simply of themselves. These pictures were then placed into a snowflake frame which doubles as an ornament or a magnet. At the other end of the great lobby, a line of students waited around tables covered in mountains of holiday treats. Here one could find traditional appetizers such as cheese and crackers and veggie dip. There were also a multitude of holiday favorites like seven layer dip, chocolate fondue and an array of holiday cookies and treats. Festive drinks such as hot chocolate and hot apple cider were also provided for students. But what better way to enjoy food than to have some entertainment nearby. In the corner of the room, bright colored lights lit up a sort-of makeshift stage complete with a microphone and speakers. Here students could sign up for karaoke. While many were hesitant to sing in public, the Salve Regina ladies field-hockey team signed right up. As they gathered clustered around the microphone everyone wondered what the young women would be serenading the audience with. Shortly after, anticipation was broken when the speakers let out the first few beats of Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time.” The audience was amused and seemed pleased with the poppy 90’s hit. The young women too, certainly seemed to enjoy singing it for everyone. It was truly fun to be had by all, which is how holiday celebrations should be; good fun in good company. Back in the lobby, Nick Albanese, a junior, sat with friends sipping hot chocolate and discussing the next couple busy weeks ahead involving finals. “A Very Wakehurst Christmas,” it seemed, had come at a very good time. It was the perfect break among the midst of endless term papers and hours spent scouring over text books in the library. Students seemed eager to have a last bit of fun knowing all too well that the “dreaded” finals week is just around the corner. Moving onto a more cheerful subject, Albanese and his friends shared what they loved about the holiday season. Albanese said that he liked the idea of Christmas and how everyone comes together. “Everyone has a common goal of having a happy time during this season,” said Albanese. This certainly seemed to be the case in Wakehurst tonight. Laughter and smiles on the faces of students could be heard and seen throughout that evening. What better way to bring in the holiday season than with good food, fun and friends?
