Ringing in Winter Carnival with old traditions and new celebrations

President's Ball-by ABEDIN RAFIQUE-1-colorThe 79th Annual Winter Carnival kicked off six days of wintry activities for students on Monday, Feb. 3, starting with the Hat Hunt and ending with the President’s Ball on the night of Saturday, Feb. 8.  The wide variety of activities, from knitting to participating in a ski-race, encouraged students to enjoy winter while celebrating old and new traditions.

The first day of the carnival began with the return to the traditional “Hat Hunt” put on by the Lambda Sigma Sophomore Honor Society. Members put up video clues that students then used to find the three hats on campus and two on College Avenue.

New and unique events throughout the week included a double feature of the films “Happy Feet” and “In the Mood For Love,” complete with slushies and Snocaps candy. There was also a Winter Olympic opening ceremony showing hosted by Mortar Board and iceless skating in the Wellness Center put on by the Student Organization for Academic Programming (SOUP). In addition, the classic events of sledding on Union Hill and the bonfire in the Gilboy fire ring occured.

The morning of Saturday, Feb. 8 saw the first game of the 5×5 Broomball Tournament. Teams of students and faculty competed on the Ormsby Lake ice rink with shoes instead of skates and brooms in hand.

“Winter Carnival shows we can do fun things outside and it’s not just so dreary,” said sophomore Corby Johnson, “You get that time outside to really enjoy and see the positive side of winter.”

Johnson was part of the team “Reunion in My Plantz,” made up of five sophomores from Plantz Hall who played last year as well. Their team came in second to “Nancy’s Numbskulls,” a staff and faculty team and winners of the tournament this year, made up of Campus Center Director Greg Griffin, Director of International Student Services Leah McSorley, Facility Services Electrician Ben J. Nackers, Sage Residence Hall Director Drew Stuart, Assistant to the President Jake Woodford and Wellness Center Director Erin Buenzlie.

Meanwhile, by the fireplace of the Pusey Room in the Warch Campus Center, Lambda Sigma hosted a service event called “Hot Drinks & Service Project” from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Overall, students and volunteers made 122 Valentine’s Day cards to be given to the residents of the local Brewster Village nursing home.

“I liked it a lot and I think other people had fun,” said Vice President of Lambda Sigma Sophmore Honor Society Ali Heiring. “It lets them make Valentines to give to their friends and family and at the same time give to the community.”

At the same time, Lawrence hosted another traditional event: the ice-sculpting contest. Teams of students hacked away at blocks of ice in front of the Warch Campus Center cafe. Teams and individuals completed all sculptures in exactly two hours using only the tools provided. Sculptures included a bright orange cross, a griffin and a teddy bear shape of Totoro from the popular Japanese film “My Neighbor Totoro.” Three students sculpted an elephant because they had traveled to Tanzania in the fall.

The Winter Carnival concluded on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 8 with the annual President’s Ball. Big Band Reunion played classic jazz, salsa and pop songs while well-dressed students packed the dance floor and surrounded the chocolate fountain and photo booth. In addition, students and faculty had the opportunity to mingle with Lawrence University president Mark Burstein at his first President’s Ball.