Student Senate's Holiday Fest
Style Editor Sherell Williams

Student Senate’s Diversity Committee will be hosting its first Holiday Fest in the SUB II Ballroom on Monday, Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event is intended to showcase Mason’s diversity through significant holidays that are celebrated by a variety of students during the winter months.

The six organizations that will present the events are Hillel: Jewish Students Association, Baha'i Student Association, Bengali Patriots, Hindu Students Council, Muslim Student Association, and International Student Association. Each organization was asked to choose a holiday that occurs during the winter months of November, December, and January. The event will feature holidays such Christmas, Hannukkah, Kwanzaa, which will be presented by Calvin Haney, Assistant Director in the Office of Diversity Programs and Services and head of Black/African Heritage Student Affairs, Baha'u'llah, Diwali, New Years, Eid, and Pohela Boishak, a Bangladeshi New Years celebration.

“[I expect] for students that attend to learn something new about at least one culture's holiday and also bring a sense of unity among different cultures and religious organizations on campus,” said Janay Phillips, Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Senate. The idea for Holiday Fest came from Phillips.

“I believe [students] can learn something new about a culture or religion. These organizations have something offer and I wanted to give them the opportunity to present it to the students, Phillips said.

In addition to the information about the winter holidays, the Bengali Patriots will showcase their New Year’s celebration with a dance routine.

Hot chocolate will be served at the event. All students are invited to attend.