Campus groups participate in community tradition

Campus organizations that decorated a tree for the exhibit include College Relations with ornaments by the Child Development Center students, The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center, the Campus Activities Board, and Campus Ventures.

CAB required each campus club to participate in decorating ornaments at an event Nov. 17 co-hosted by the president’s office in Sparks Hall. According to CAB board member Taylor Neugebauer, many clubs had a few members decorate ornaments together.

An open house featuring the Festival of Trees will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in conjunction with the Parade of Lights on Main Street at 6 p.m. The CSC Holiday Concert will begin at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall’s Auditorium.

CDC Teacher Keri Ruff, said the children were enthusiastic about the request from College Relations to collaborate in the community event by creating ornaments.

“When I introduced the sweater ornaments to the kiddos, they were excited to decorate one,” Ruff said. “They started to share a lot of stories about their own Christmas sweaters. Some were even excited to ask their parents if they could get a Christmas sweater this year.”

Ruff said the project let students practice fine motor skills and express their creativity.

“I loved seeing each of them smile and laugh when they got to the step of adding their own face to the ornament,” she said. “I hope people who come to the courthouse to see this tree notice the joy and creativity the children put into their ornaments, and appreciate how each piece reflects their imagination and excitement for the season.”