CBU celebrates Christmas season traditions with tree lighting

Before the countdown to the tree lighting, attendees lit candles, passing along the flame to others, as a part of the usual CBU tradition.

The event, organized by Community Life and Spiritual Life, also featured hot chocolate and Christmas treats as well as activities such as photo booths, a snow patch, and an opportunity for students to participate in filling boxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.

Noelle Avera, an exercise science freshman, said her favorite part of the event was lighting candles with her friends during the ceremony.

“It is a great way to have everyone come together and be able to see a tree be lit and celebrate this new holiday season,” Avera said.

Bailey Berzansky, an accounting freshman, said she enjoyed connecting with others at the event.

“I really liked it because it brought the whole community of CBU together to celebrate Christmas before everyone goes home,” Berzansky said.

This year’s event gave the school an opportunity to come together again to celebrate the holiday season. The event did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think these events are important to have and to keep having because it does bring everyone together,” Avera said. “With the pandemic, we lost all those moments with our friends, family and community, so we didn’t have as close of relationships, so this is important to have.”

Melanie Murillo, a biomedical sciences freshman, participated in Operation Christmas Child by filling a shoebox. More than 660 boxes were filled. She appreciated having the opportunity to create something that can positively impact a child.

“I love kids, and that is what I want to do with my future career—be a doctor for kids,” Murillo said. “Looking out for children is something I have always aspired to do and being able to do this little gesture is something that means a lot to me.”