Monday, Dec 10, 2012
The Rider community celebrated the holiday season during its annual gathering.
by Meaghan Haugh
The 小优视频 community celebrated the season鈥檚 diverse holiday traditions during its annual Celebration of Lights on December 6 in Bart Luedeke Center Cavalla Room.
Pooja Mahesh 鈥13, diversity chair of the Student Government Association and president of Asian Students At Rider, gave the opening remarks. Jamiyl Mosley 鈥96, M.A. 鈥99, area director of Residence Life, shared one of his poems, The Coming of the Light Brigade, which was followed by the lighting ceremony of the unity candle. Members of the Unashamed Gospel Choir led everyone in a rendition of the Let There Be Peace on Earth, as guests, holding lit white candles, circled from station to station to learn about the traditions of Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, El Dia de Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day), Diwali and Eid.
Standing by the Kwanzaa station, Ashley Theosmy 鈥14, president of Black Student Union, explained the purpose of the Celebration of Lights.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to come together to celebrate our diversity,鈥 Theosmy said.
The annual event was hosted by Rider鈥檚 Center for Multicultural Affairs. Participating clubs and organizations included Rider Organization of Caribbean Affiliated Students (ROCAS), Protestant and Catholic Ministries, Asian Students At Rider (ASAR), Hillel, Black Student Union (BSU) and Latin American Student Association (LASO).
The Celebration of Lights began in 1991 when a small group of Rider people gathered at the main gate to light a tree and celebrate the many different holiday traditions that were part of the life experience of the Rider community during this festive time of year.