Oscar Almonte Espinal

In the middle of a pandemic, Penn State Abington has managed to transition all student events to virtual environments to make sure that the University’s students are engaged even though they are at home. Penn State Abington is known for having engaging cultural celebration programs, especially during the holidays.

This year, eleven cultural organizations and two offices have decided to join forces to bring a holiday celebration that screams out diversity and inclusion. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Black Student Union, Latinx Student Organization, South Asian Student Association, Chinese Christian Club, and Abington Christian Fellowship are just a few of those organizations and offices working together to bring this event to the campus. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Saturnalia, something else entirely, or even nothing at all, you are invited to come together with the Penn State Abington Community and celebrate Festivus! At this event, students will get an inside view into understanding different cultures, religions, and organizations on campus in a holiday themed virtual party.

Kikelomomi Olayinka-Yusuf, the president of Abington Christian Fellowship and the coordinator behind Festivus says, “I was talking to my board, and since we are now virtual, I thought it would be a great idea to have a virtual holiday party where all organizations can showcase how we, as Penn state Abington, celebrate the holidays.”

Jessica Peskin, the president of Penn State Abington’s Jewish organization Hillel, says, “The meaning of Festivus was to have all the student organizations come together and create a universal event where every holiday could be featured. I was excited to join and speak about Hanukkah.”

Even though Festivus will not be held on campus, Kikelomomi reports that everyone who is involved with this event are working outstandingly hard to bring an event that reaches through the Zoom screen to serve as a reminder that “We Are Penn State” even when we are home.

Peskin continued to say, “It’s impressive that we were able to pull off a major cultural and religious celebration without meeting in person, but this goes to show the great leadership skills that we all have. Expect to have fun and learn about other holidays that take place in November/December.”

Festivus will take place on Thursday November 19, 2020 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm EST through Zoom. Attend to win gift cards, enter giveaways, and more! You can RSVP here, and as a special bonus, the first 60 people to RSVP will receive a special mystery box!