Winter Wonderland rings in the holiday season on campus

USD students gathered to ring in the holiday season at this year's Winter Wonderland event. Torero Program Board and Resident Hall Association held their annual event, previously known as Miracle on Marian Way, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 1.

"I believe that every year Winter Wonderland continues to be more successful," senior Kendal Lay, chair of the TPB, said. "Students keep passing down the word to incoming classes, which gets them really excited to see what it is about."

Attention was paid to detail with streamers and balloons decorating the bike racks, ornaments of varying sizes being suspended in trees, garland lining the walls outside of Frank's Lounge and holiday music being played from the speakers.

Winter Wonderland took place in its new, centralized location in front of the Student Life Pavilion. Last year's festivities stretched from Maher Hall to the snow hill on the University Center lawn.

"Last year, Winter Wonderland was more spread out, which made it difficult to serve the students," sophomore Marc Gonzales, TPB's vice chair of operations, said. "We wanted to have it in front of the SLP so that students had a centralized place to gather."

Ice skating and the snow hill were two activities that were not included in this year's event. Instead, additions this year included a live snow globe and a toboggan slide. Other events included marshmallow roasting for s'mores, teddy bear stuffing with Build-A-Bear, snowflake making, cookie and ornament decorating and picture taking with Santa Claus.

"I think the students reacted very well to the new additions," Lay said. "The Toboggan Run was a blast to go on, and the giant snow globe was full the whole night with students getting their pictures taken. RHA added more craft tables, and they were so popular that their supplies ran out. The Build-A-Bear station is always the biggest hit, and even after ordering more bears this year, they were still gone within the first few hours."

While some students didn't particularly favor the changes, they still found the event to be enjoyable.

"I, personally, missed the snow," senior Anthony Riech said. "It has always been my favorite part of Winter Wonderland. But the whole night really did help me get into the holiday spirit."

A new system was utilized this year with the Build-A-Bear station to ease the frustration that students experienced last year. Many of the students waiting in line were not able to get stuffed animals due to limited quantities. This year, wristbands were given to the first 600 people in line for Build-A-Bear, which guaranteed their opportunity to build a furry companion. The line was shortened and became more manageable after the wristbands were distributed.

"Every year we find improvements," sophomore Shelby Herzig, RHA president, said. "That is what RHA is for, to bring the best possible events to the students here on campus."

The only mishap of the night included two students who backed into a light post in front of the UC while driving a golf cart. No injuries were reported from those involved in the incident.