For the 98th year, SHSU hosted the “Tree of Lights,” an annual tradition that reminds students, faculty, and the community of the spirit of the holidays: generosity, thoughtfulness, and outreach.
The pre-actvity begins around 4:30pm, when student organizations can sign in (allowing them to be first in line for ornament hanging), mingle, and listen to holiday music. Despite impending finals, the pre-event crowd was upbeat and cheerful, befitting the holiday spirit. Various student leaders and organizations took selfies, participated in interviews, and otherwise constructively occupied themselves.
For the LEAP and the Pre-Law Society, we took the opportunity to come together for a group photograph, one showcasing our ornaments.
Just before the event kick-off, various organizations offered food to students, and the crowd size increased considerably. And at 6:30pm, the formal program began, with SHSU’s King (Marsalis Johnson) and Queen (Bria Ferrier) serving as joint MCs….
…words from the SGA President (Amanda Lee)…
…music from the SHSU’s chorale…
…a candle lighting…
…and words from President Hoyt, reminding students that this is a tradition emphasizing outreach and thoughtfulness.
As if to punctuate that point, the SHSU Walker County Alumni Association announced a donation of $3,000 to the Good Shepherd Mission, accepted by Dave Smith, the Mission’s Executive Director.
The event then gave way to festivities, including the hanging of the ornaments…
…lots of mingling among the student body…
…and much Orange Pride dancing.
And with a final dance, the event wrapped up, leaving the crowd to mingle for a bit longer…
…And the LEAP Ambassadors to get a final photo with the “Tree of Lights.”
