Holiday Cheer On the Quad
Near 100 students braved the freezing cold temperatures Monday night to witness the tree lighting ceremony on the Quad, presented by Associated Students of Utah State University.
Students merrily sang “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night” as the tree was lit.
The tree, which adorns the west side of the Quad in front of Old Main, is about 25 feet tall and is topped with a big red heart.
It has been named the “Have a Heart” tree because it shows the “spirit of giving and love,” Nic Gordon, vice president of Organizations and Traditions, said.
Although the tree has a couple hanging ornaments and lights, the decorating isn’t finished.
For $10, any person or organization can hang a personalized ornament on the tree or buy an ornament for $1. All of the proceeds will go to needy families in Cache Valley.
“The holiday tree on the Quad was one of my platform goals,” Gordon said, adding that it took about three weeks of planning and a lot of help from Sigma Phi Epsilon to organize the event.
The tree was donated by Cache Valley resident Shannon Byrne. ASUSU members cut down the tree in her backyard Saturday and then set it up on the Quad.
After the tree was lit, students went inside to the Taggart Student Center for hot chocolate and to see all the other festive trees as part of the Organization and Traditions committee’s Christmas Tree Lane in the International Lounge.
The annual Christmas Tree Lane features 27 trees decorated by campus sororities, fraternities, Latter-day Saint Student Association, Students Together Ending Poverty, the tubing club, the Japanese club and other groups.
Best Buddies, a campus service organization, decorated one of the trees with cards for people with intellectual disabilities. The cards list what someone needs, such as a blanket and students can pick a card and return the items to Room 321. They will be delivered to them for Christmas.
The trees were donated by Lowes, ShopKo and Tony Grove and will be up until the semester ends.
Tagg Archibald, the vice president of ASUSU and a senior majoring in history, said the donations show that students care about more than just books and finals, they care about others.
“USU is a better place because of all of you,” Archibald said.
After the lighting ceremony, Santa and Mrs. Claus joined students and families in the TSC where children weren’t the only ones who got to tell Santa their wishes. Many students also sat on Santa’s lap.
The tree lighting ceremony is an annual event put on by ASUSU and it hopes to continue this tradition for many years to come, Gordon said.
To donate an ornament, go to the ASUSU office on the third floor of the TSC.
-sdobson@cc.usu.edu
Students visit Christmas trees in the Sunburst after the annual ASUSU treelighting ceremony on the Quad. (Photo by John Zsiray)
Snow and lights decorate the the “Have a Heart” tree on the Quad. (Photo by John Zsiray)