Last night, Fort Hays State University held its annual tree lighting ceremony hosted by FHSU Greek Life and sponsored by the University Activities Board, Student Service Office, Office of the President, FHSU Athletics, and Wendy’s. The event was held in front of Sheridan Hall at 6 p.m.
Each year students, faculty, and members of the Hays community are invited to participate in a night full of Christmas merriment. This year’s festivities included: A visit from Santa and Victor E. Tiger, hot chocolate and cookies, hay rack rides around campus, Dickens Carolers, crafts, and, of course, the lighting of the trees!
Raquel Otero, a freshman at Fort Hays, was excited about the Christmas spirit being shared at FHSU’s campus and throughout Hays. “I think this event is a really great way to integrate campus life with the Hays community as a whole. When we support the community, they support us.” Otero also added that the Dickens Carolers were her favorite part of the ceremony. “They sounded amazing, and it was fun hearing Christmas songs again!” This was her first year being a part of the ceremony and is optimistic about returning to the event in the coming years.
Another student who was in attendance at the ceremony was junior Alyssa McCandless. McCandless loved being involved with the event. “My favorite part was hanging around my sorority sisters while serving hot cocoa. I think I wore it more than I drank it.” This was McCandless’s first year participating in the tree lighting, and she found it to be a really fun experience.
Adam Horn, also a junior at FHSU who participated in the tree lighting for his second year, enjoyed the nostalgia he felt while at the ceremony. Horn has made close connections with people at Fort Hays, and he loved being able to spend the event with his friends while participating in a ceremony similar to the ones he attended in the past with his actual family. “It made me feel even more like Fort Hays is my home away from home.”
The tree lighting ceremony is an event that Fort Hays State university has put on for many years, and it continues to draw great interest on campus and in the Hays community.