By Catherine Brown
Staff Writer
St. Bonaventure University held its first Winter Carnival to celebrate Thomas Merton’s 100th Birthday on Jan. 31.
Merton was an English Professor at Bonaventure in the 1940s. While here, he realized his calling to the religious life.
The carnival lasted from noon until midnight. Students took full advantage of the Winter Carnival and engaged in the many activities Campus Activities Board (CAB) set up for them.
The Winter Games Competition included Kan Jam, corn hole, snow angel making, dress the friar, a selfie contest and a variety of other amusements.
“Dressing up the friar was fun. There were three teams with two to three players on each team,” sophomore psychology major Liz Petrella said. “Every player was blindfolded and then had to spin around a few times to find one another. Once they found each other they had to clothe them with friar items; a hood, the rope and the gown. It was entertaining.”
Some of the more popular activities during the day included ice skating and horse-drawn wagon rides. Students were able to rent skates and ride the wagon for free.
“I really enjoyed the ice skating,” Petrella said. “That was a lot of fun, however it was difficult to skate on. Eventually, I got the hang of it. The horse-drawn wagon was a good idea.”
The basketball tailgate party lasted from 4 p.m. until the men’s basketball game against La Salle University. The tailgate party served free chilidogs and featured a face painting station.
At 9 p.m., The Laugh Pack, Chattertons, SBU New Boppers and a jazz group led by Dr. Les Sabina performed at the Hickey Dining Hall. Cake was served during these events in honor of Merton’s birthday.
Activities throughout the day were geared toward Merton’s life to help students understand and appreciate his work. Students played a Thomas Merton trivia game at the Swan Business Center where they could win prizes and learn facts about his life. The Thomas Merton Ministry Center hosted activities that informed students about Merton’s message.
“I would say that it was pretty successful. I think because it was so nice out students came out,” sophomore journalism and mass communication major and events office intern, Olivia Jackson, said. “In the beginning it was pretty slow but a couple hours in, groups of people started to show up.”
“I learned a lot about Thomas Merton,” sophomore psychology major Aaliyah Samuels said. “It was interesting to learn even more quirky facts about him because they were things I never knew. The trivia game extended my knowledge of Merton.”
“I got to enjoy hot cocoa outside, and although it was freezing, the school supplied us with amazing heaters,” Samuels said. “I loved the horse carriage! The chili cheese dogs were delicious, and icing the cookies was fun.”
Near the end of Merton’s birthday party, Father Francis, O.F.M., mentioned having another celebration next year, something students will be able to enjoy again.
“They will probably push another carnival again and try to get more people involved,” Jackson said. “They know what they can do to make it even better. I really think it was a great way to bring the community and St. Bonaventure together.”
