Winter Wonderland is one of the final events of Northwestern State University’s fall semester, hosted by the University Programming Council. The event gives students the opportunity to end finals with festive activities, food and games before they head home for the holidays.
K.C. Thompson, a junior communication major, was in charge of Winter Wonderland this year and enjoyed the creative side of bringing the event together. “My favorite part of putting this event together was being the creative person behind it. Like with the poster, I didn’t design it, but I had input into it … and then with things like food choices, the music and decor,” Thompson said.
Thompson enjoyed not only the creativity involved in the event but also how registered student organizations (RSOs) participated as well. “My main thing with Winter Wonderland is seeing how different RSOs get involved and what they bring, whether it be something they’ve done at a previous Winter Wonderland or tabling event they’d normally do. It’s nice to see what they can bring to the table and what they offer to the people,” Thompson said.
Throughout the event, students were able to visit the different RSO tables and craft holiday treats, snow globes, tree ornaments and other holiday-themed items. Grace Culpepper, a senior psychology major, tabled with Argus at the event and enjoyed the positive energy that Winter Wonderland had. “I think the energy of it just feels really happy … all the organizations are trying to connect with students, and the people who attended are there because they want to attend the tabling,” Culpepper said.
Students who attended the event were also able to redeem tickets for gumbo and participate in games like inflatable hamster ball races and a four-person wrecking ball game against one another to win a Snoopy-themed sweatshirt.
Ella Dupuie, a senior English major, is one of several students able to win a sweatshirt. “My favorite part of the event was finally winning a Winter Wonderland sweatshirt! I have tried and failed every year that I have been at NSU, so finally succeeding and getting the satisfaction of earning fun NSU Christmas merch for my final year in Natchitoches made my night,” Dupuie said.
“Winter Wonderland really brings the entire student body together. Dozens of RSOs come together to offer students the opportunity to do fun, silly, quirky things and activities that they would’ve never thought to do on their own. It really brings out the holiday spirit of coming together and bonding,” Dupuie said.
As the fall semester ended, Winter Wonderland allowed students to connect with their campus community and enjoy a deserved break before heading home for the holidays.
