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NEWS
| December 3, 2003
Singing
in the Season
Families and students join to
celebrate the university’s annual holiday tree lighting.
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| The Shorthorn: Mark Roberts |
| The Texas Girls’ Choir, donning
cowboy attire, sings classic holiday tunes during the
EX.C.E.L. Campus Activities-sponsored tree lighting ceremony
Tuesday on the Central Library mall. A reception featuring
a string quartet followed in the University Center. |
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By Christian
Ragunton
The Shorthorn staff
While everyone crowded to watch this year’s university tree
lighting, 6-year-old Dmitriy Rudkevich searched the sky for signs
of Santa Claus.
There was, after all, a lighted tree complete with glass ornaments
and presents underneath right in front of them. Only half paying
attention to EX.C.E.L. Campus Activities’ 15th annual Holiday
Celebration, Dmitry and his friend Bradley Garnett, 6, eagerly discussed
the possible contents of those presents.
“The tree is pretty,” Dmitry said. “I wonder what’s
inside those boxes.”
What they didn’t know was that the presents were only decoration.
But the curious boys asked their parents excitedly if they were
for them.
Their parents laughed. Dmitry said Santa is going to bring him a
video game this year.
Dmitry’s father, chemistry professor Dmitry Rudkevich, has
come to the celebration with his family for the last three years.
“It’s special for me and my family,” he said.
“It gives us a chance to get into the Christmas spirit.”
Kent Gardner, vice president for student
affairs, flipped the switch to light the tree. Individuals received
candles to hold during the celebration, and some joined in as the
Texas Girls’ Choir sang holiday music.
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| The Shorthorn: Mark Roberts |
| Three-year-olds Andrew Hwang, right,
and Eugene Sung hold candles they received during the
tree lighting ceremony Tuesday on the Central Library
mall. Many children tried to guess what the wrapped packages
under the tree held in store for them. The gifts, they
learned, were only for show. |
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The choir, dressed as cowgirls, sang Christmas
carols including “Silent Night” and “The First
Noël.”
Nursing freshman Angela Brown took a break from studying to watch
the tree lighting. The Lipscomb Hall resident stood in her pajamas
during the singing.
“It’s great to see people here for the holiday season,”
she said. “Being out here celebrating Christmas definitely
helps me release some tension because it reminds me of the holiday
season.”
After 30 minutes of song, the crowd made its way to the University
Center Sierra Lounge for a reception. When notified that Santa himself
would be at the reception, Dmitry and Bradley jumped from their
seats and began to cheer.
During the reception, children decorated cookies and ornaments.
Santa greeted children on his lap and asked them what they wanted
for Christmas while parents took pictures.
As children munched on sprinkle-covered gingerbread cookies, a quartet
played holiday songs on violins. Passers-by sipped hot chocolate
and scanned displays of various holiday celebrations — Ramadan,
Kwanzaa and Hanukah.
Student Activities Director Jeff Sorensen and his family attended
the event. He said it was a great way to bring students, families
and students with families together for a holiday celebration.
“It’s great for the family” he said. “It’s
fun to watch kids decorate cookies or sit on Santa’s lap.”
CORRECTION
Student Governance Director Jeff Sorensen was
misidentified in this story.
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