Holiday Dinner

From the organza and lights wrapping up the railings to the upper level of the Campus Center, to the 10 foot tree covered in purple and gold ornaments and decorations, the Holiday Banquet is a tradition that most students anticipate and look forward to. One of the oldest traditions at Elmira College, the Holiday Banquet has been held for students every year for over 130 years. All students are invited to choose a table in the Dining Hall with a host professor or administrator and eat a holiday dinner feast prepared by Elmira College Dining Services. The students from Hillel (our Jewish club on campus) opened the dinner by reading a prayer in Hebrew and lighting the first candle on a Menorah to celebrate their holiday, followed by a prayer from the Christian Fellowship Club.
For the past two years, I have been lucky enough to sit with my advisor and my roommate for the feast. This year, they served each table a whole turkey for the faculty host to carve and serve, green means, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. My roommate, advisor and I were joined by three freshmen girls, who were experiencing this Elmira College tradition for the first time. Following the dinner, the senior class leads the rest of the attendees in singing a series of classic Christmas and Holiday music, followed by our Alma Mater to close the night.
This was my last Holiday Banquet at Elmira College, and it was one I will never forget.