Friday, December 9th, 2022
More than a holiday OSU students celebrate December diversity Luisa Clausen Staff Reporter
Mallory Pool
Home for the holidays
Traditions and holidays from around the world are celebrated alongside Christmas. Menorahs are a large part of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah.
All walks of life celebrate traditions around the world
Mallory Pool News Editor Christmas isn’t the only thing coming to town. There are billions of people across the globe this holiday season that come from different
cultures and backgrounds. Celebrating Christmas is one of the most fun times of the year for students and adults alike, but what other holiday traditions come to town this time of the year? When it comes to December holidays, Christmas takes up a lot of space in society. Celebrated around the world, it is considered a religious holiday, honoring the birth of Jesus, as well as a cultural one, with traditions that combines Christian beliefs with ancient folklore rituals. For some, Christmas
isn’t Christian at all, but a time for pine trees, Santa, presents and good food. Christmas was made an official federal holiday in 1870 and is now one of the most widely celebrated in the U.S. But there is a large amount of other winter holidays celebrated in other countries with festivities that far exceed the most outgoing and wild Christmas celebrations.
grandma send me a bunch of Christmas decorations and I put them up.” Ludwick’s girlfriend reminded Hirneisen his roommate was Jewish, but Hirneisen said his friend was not bothered. Both roommates said they respect each other’s beliefs and celebrations, and Hirneisen complimented his friend’s holiday spirit. “He treats it not like a holiday, more like a birthday month,” Hirneisen said. Ludwick said it is challenging finding synagogues since moving from Texas to Oklahoma. They are mostly present in big cities such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Ludwick is responsible for keeping the Hanukkah celebration alive since going to a synagogue might be difficult. “It’s hard to explain my true personal beliefs ‘cause I have grown up hearing the two opposite sides of the spectrum,” Ludwick said. “This will be the first year I won’t be home for the holidays. I will buy a Menorah and light a candle every night. As roommates we don’t do much to celebrate Hannukah, we mostly celebrate Christmas.” Even with a total of nine Christmas trees up in their apartment, Ludwick and Hirneisen manage to balance and celebrate multiple religious holidays throughout December.
Nine Christmas trees and two holiday celebrations. Luke Ludwick, a sophomore majoring in aerospace administration and operations, grew up in a divided household. Ludwick’s mother is Jewish and Ludwick’s father is Christian. “Growing up I went to Jewish Sunday school and Sunday service,” Ludwick said. “ I’ve always celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas. When I was 8, my mom asked me which holiday I wanted to celebrate. I said both.” Ludwick, met his roommate and friend, Jaden Hirneisen, a sophomore studying to be a pilot, when they toured OSU before the fall of 2021. Hirneisen said they met at three random times and they knew it was life telling them to be roommates. Ludwick and Hirneisen roomed together during their freshman year at Zink-Allen Hall and that is when they found an interesting difference between them. Ludwick told his friend he was Jewish and that he would celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas when the holiday season started. “ I didn’t put up any decorations thinking it could affect him in any way,” Hirneisen said. “But this year my news.ed@ocolly.com
See Holidays on 4A
OSU freshmen put on a show Isaac Terry Staff Reporter
ers said. “Hopefully we’ll do it again next year.” Liz Calandra, the president of Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre The show must go on—for service fraternity, greeted guests the first time at least. as they arrived. People were urged People piled into Gunderson to bring boxed and canned goods to watch many OSU freshmen to donate as a food drive. The preform last Thursday. donation was not required to enter, For the first time, a group however, and admission was free of 12 freshman presented solos, for all. duets, trios, standup comedy and a Over the course of an hour fashion show in the Jerry L. Davis the stage hosted a pianist and Studio Theatre on the second performers, and the first perforfloor of Gunderson. Liliana Cudly mance was “I Love Betsy” from and Dallas Rogers, the president Honeymoon in Vegas, a solo Noah and vice president of the Student Horton belted out. After that was Theater Council, respectively, were Jay Matherly singing “Dulcinea” excited to host the student’s perfor- from Man of La Mancha. The mances. solos were interjected with standup “We have had them work comedy from Brigham Miller that with upperclassmen,” Cudly said. had the audience rolling. “This is the first year that TCO Afterward, the solos con(the theatre council) has been able tinued with Katlyn Farrer singto put on something like this since ing “Home” from Beauty and the COVID.” Beast, Savannah Harrod followed Cudly said, the various singing “I’m Breaking Down” groups had been practicing since from Falsettos. The songs were the start of October. Gen Thomas once again interjected with a Alexis, the head of productions, fashion show, curated and dishad been working on the idea since played by Dice Troy. Four unique August or before then. outfits strutted across the stage and “This is the first year,” Rog- showed off their details.
For more information regarding the Student Theatre Council and their events, please visit cas. okstate.edu/department_of_theatre.
“This isn’t really about me,” Troy said. “It’s about my wonderful models, Ethan, Kylee, Hilton and Tasha.” After the fashion show, Braxton Thompson, Jay Freeman and Leia Howton sang the first trio of the night, “I Love You Song” from 25th Annual Putnam City Spelling Bee. After their trio, the solos returned with Elizabeth Brockman singing “The Girl in 14G,” Kyndall Reed singing “Carrie” from Carrie the musical and Jimmy Miller singing “Who I’d Be” from Shrek the Musical. The night ended with a big trio sung by Noah Horton, Savannah Harrod and Kyndall Reed. The piece was “I’ve Decided to Marry You,” from A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder. news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of Jaden Hirneisen Luke Ludwick (left) and Jaden Hirneisen (right) pose in front of their many Christmas trees. Ludwick celebrates Hanukkah and Christmas while Hirneisen celebrates Christmas.