Winter Wonderjam spikes FTC holiday spirit
By Grace Bonamico
Photos by Isabella Escobar
Holiday spirit has made its way to Five Towns College with the annual Winter Wonderjam celebration. Wonderjam took place in The Downbeat on December 3rd, hosted by Campus Life with music sponsored by The FTC Sound Stream. The event was full of cheer and a way for students to celebrate the upcoming holidays and make it to the last stretch of the semester. Students munched on latkes, pigs in a blanket, and cookies, along with warm hot chocolate and coffee.
Wonderjam hosts Daniel Garcia and Jeff Kramer kept the energy going all night. “It’s really cool to host this my senior year. It’s my last one, so it’s very bittersweet. This [Winterjam] is one of my favorite events. I love hearing all the Christmas songs. Christmas is my favorite holiday of all time. And I’m just really excited to be able to host this year. I’m sad it’s almost over, but I’ve had a really fun night.”
FTC Reporter David Frith spoke with Buddy the Elf, otherwise known as Jeff Kramer.
Fun and relaxing activities were provided for students to participate in, including building gingerbread houses. Kits from Target’s Favorite Day brand were laid out, and soon, those who could grab one were desperately holding the gingerbread walls together while waiting for the frosting to dry.
Gingerbread houses weren’t the only craft. Holiday ornaments, glitter glue, and colorful markers were laid out for people to color and decorate, even for those not creatively inclined. “At first, I wasn’t gravitating towards the arts and crafts, but I saw everyone making snowmen, and I thought, ‘I haven’t done this since I was a kid.’ It’s so relaxing and so much fun; I love it,“ said Theatre major Symone Hammond.
The night’s big event was holiday karaoke, where attendants got up on stage and sang their hearts out to classic holiday tunes such as Underneath The Tree by Kelly Clarkson, It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year by Andy Williams and many more. Film& TV major Peter Caligiure sang Snow Miser and Heat Miser duet with Jeff Kramer. “It’s a lot of fun performing up there, especially if you’re with someone else that brings up the energy,“ said Caligiure.
Winter Wonderjam is about celebrating the end of the semester and bringing everyone together. Students and staff have so much fun that even Santa himself, played by Assistant Dean for Campus Life Michael Cavalli, came down from the North Pole to join the festivities. “I love seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces. I love seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces. There are many reasons to be stressed out right now as the weather gets colder and we get closer to final exams. So, to bring students together in celebration and be so happy and joyous is the most special thing about this event.“
