Written by Stephanie G Healy
After being away almost an entire semester,Harding Universityfreshman are eager to return home for the holidays.
In Harding University’s Sears dorm, the female freshmen are counting down the days till the break on their doors, playing Christmas music in the hallways for all to enjoy, and now have even decorated the hall in anticipation of Christmas.
“When it’s your first time to not live at home with your parents, it doesn’t really feel like anything changes [here at the dorm],” said Senior Resident Assistant Erica Strate. “You can really celebrate it [by decorating the dorm] and it brings joy.”
Strate spearheaded the decorating delight by encouraging the women on her hall to be creative and festive by adorning the hallway with garlands, gingerbread men, and even Santa himself.
“They were so excited about decorating,” said Strate. “So very, very excited.”
“It’s a really good nighttime activity,” said freshman Shelby Sweetser. “I’mreally happy that we did it. Everyone loves it.”
Sweetser has not only decorated outside her hall, but she’s also decorated her door, the walls on both sides of the door, and has even spent hours making snowflakes for the hallway. Sweetser has also been hosting ‘How To Make Snowflake’ parties where different women come and learn how to make three dimensional paper snowflakes. The theme of the hall Sweetser’s on? Winter Wonderland.
Some freshmen do decorate to celebrate the holiday season and to show theirChristmasspirit. But, why do other women participate?
“I’ve now met a few gals down the hall,” said freshman Diane Wittington. “Before this, we didn’t talk much.”
It turns out that midnight hall parties are also a good way to get to know your neighbors.
