By Sayuri Vargas-Hernandez, Staff Writer
The Christmas Celebration 2025 brought joy, light, and togetherness to the community. Families, friends, and neighbors around Saint Leo University gathered for a night filled with music, laughter, and holiday traditions.
The event had a welcoming, sociable atmosphere, with twinkling lights setting the scene, classic Christmas songs playing softly in the background, and the spirit of the season shining through every activity. There was laughter among friends and traditions that brought everyone closer together.
“The event is planned by a committee, and we genuinely start planning in late September. The event has grown over the years; it used to be a simple tree lighting ceremony with cookies, hot chocolate, and lights on campus. But a few years ago, we started adding a Christmas concert and a Christmas marketplace,” said Dawn D. McElveen, Director of Student and Family Engagement.
It was a celebration that reminded everyone of the beauty of the season and that the special part of Christmas is how we get to share it with others.
The evening began with the Vice President of Athletics and Wellness, Marcal Lazenby, who welcomed everyone to the celebration and spoke on the meaning of Christmas.
Then, the microphone was passed to Saint Leo University’s 12th President, Dr. Jim Burkee. He led the tree lighting, and the crowd watched as the Christmas tree came alive with bright, sparkling lights. Following the lighting, the Catholic Church offered a blessing, filling the moment with peace, gratitude, and the spirit of the season.
After the ceremony, everyone was invited to walk around the event and enjoy the holiday surprises that Saint Leo had prepared.
Sororities, student groups, and campus programs had tables where they gave information about their organizations to students and families, and donations were welcome.
One vendor sold Hispanic food, and the smell of the dishes made the area feel festive.
Families visited the tables, where they were invited to support the groups by purchasing cookies, creating bracelets, and enjoying sweet desserts.
Vendors set up on campus with a variety of items such as cups, jewelry, books, soaps, and more. Students enjoyed exploring the items, appreciating the creativity of local businesses, and taking the opportunity to purchase special finds right there on campus.
One of the evening’s most entertaining moments was the ugly sweater contest, where guests showed off their most creative and weird holiday attire. The competition brought plenty of laughs and positive spirit as participants proudly displayed their colorful designs. In the end, Christine Steiner from San Antonio, Florida, took first place, impressing everyone with her standout sweater that perfectly captured the night’s fun, playful theme.
Also, Saint Leo brought special attractions to make the night even more fun. Guests enjoyed riding a mechanical deer, while a giant inflatable snow globe with artificial snowflakes created a dazzling winter vibe indoors. Its size and sparkling flakes made it the perfect photo backdrop, with families and friends lining up to snap pictures. There was also a festive photo booth in the Student Activity Building, offering even more opportunities to capture memories, making the evening feel like a true winter wonderland.
The dining hall joined in on the celebration, offering free hot cocoa and cookies to guests. This made the night feel even warmer, as everyone could enjoy a sweet treat and a hot drink while spending time together.
Chick-fil-A surprised students with free meals, adding a fun twist by letting them spin a card to win. Other vendors joined in, handing out bags that students could fill with treats like candy, marshmallows, and cereal, all free of charge.
The celebration left guests with special memories and a renewed sense of holiday spirit. It was a true success, bringing people together to share joy, laughter, and the timeless magic of Christmas.
