The Student Government Association's annual Christmas Tree Lighting set Toney Auditorium aglow with candlelight and holiday cheer on Thursday evening. The governing body and its Heritage and Life Committee organized the event, which featured several choral performances and Christmas carols, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” addresses from guest speakers, and of course, the lighting of the Christmas tree.
As attendees filed into the festive auditorium, they were handed a candlestick and program by members of SGA. On the stage, there were five trees decorated by different student organizations surrounding the large Mercer Christmas tree. Attendees had the opportunity to vote for the tree they felt was best-decorated, with entries from Beta Upsilon Chi, Mercer Pre-Law Society, the Mercer Players, Zeta Phi Beta and the Mercer Panhellenic Council.
In an email to The Cluster on Friday, HLC Chair Jocelyn Ramirez '27 said that the Pre-Law Society won the contest, and Zeta Phi Beta was runner-up.
The opening words were offered by President-Elect Penny Elkins, who expressed her enthusiasm to continue her commitment to Mercer and its traditions. She also introduced students from Roberts Academy who performed “Deck the Halls.” The Mercer Singers performed several pieces as well, some including the entire congregation to join in song.
In a speech to the room, Craig McMahan said he believed the Christmas tree lighting tradition encourages Mercer students to carry with them the spirit of joy, kindness and community, especially during the holiday season.
“As the time change casts those of us in the Northern Hemisphere further into the darkness of night, it's no surprise that we start to light things,” McMahan said. "Hanukkah candles, Kwanzaa candles, bonfires, whatever it may be, sometimes the darker the world, the more we seek the light, and that’s why we are here right now lighting our candles and our tree.”
SGA then led the congregation to light its candles. Each student, faculty member and parent in the audience passed on the flame from their candle to the next.
“There's some beauty in passing on your light to others,” McMahan told the crowd, challenging Mercer students to be positive and illuminating forces on campus and beyond.
HLC member Teresita Cabral ‘26 did the honors of counting down to the lighting of the Christmas tree, the main event of the evening. She emphasized the dedication from SGA, participating student organizations, faculty, and staff that it takes to make the Christmas tree lighting an annual success.
“The Christmas tree lighting is a lot of work but it's a magical experience. There's a lot of thought behind these events that the Heritage Life Committee hosts, and we love seeing Mercer Bears just come out and spread the love,” Cabral said.
Hannah Mock ‘29 is a communications major at Mercer and is currently a staff writer for The Mercer Cluster. When she’s not at a coffee shop catching up on her studies, she is working on her latest artistic projects or out hiking a new nature trail. Her favorite things to write about include arts and culture, social issues and community accomplishments.
