The International Student Organization (ISO) along with the Roukema Center hosted the Light the Night event on Friday, Nov. 15. This event is one of the many cultural events that ISO hosts in order to give students an opportunity to experience South Asian culture right here on campus.
Light the Night is an annual event of ISO’s and celebrates Diwali, a Hindu festival known as the festival of lights. Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance and is celebrated annually.
Some traditions of Light the Night are dancing and singing performances, and sharing traditional food. Ramapo’s own event hosted similar activities with student lead singing performances, dances and traditional food that let students experience some of the traditions inside of the community.
For this year’s Light the Night, ISO co-sponsored with over 35 different clubs on campus that helped make the event happen and bring the celebration to life. The clubs helped organize the event by hosting tables that gave tickets to students at the event. Tables ranged from Juggle Juggle Juggle from Indoor Soccer Club, Find the Bird from Birding Club, Glow in the Dark Face Painting from RCNJ Cosmetics and many more. Each club was invited to present their club to students and showcase a small part of the Ramapo community.
Evelyn Santangelo, vice president of RCNJ Cosmetics joined the event not only to promote her club, but to be a part of an event that is so special on campus. She said in an interview with The Ramapo News that, “This event means that I can experience culture and bring the art of makeup and put it through South Asian culture while connecting with others on campus.”
In addition to the tables, Light the Night hosted a myriad of performances ranging from a dance performance from the Ramapo Dance Company to even traditional dancing and singing performances. Some of the student performances were courtesy of the Ramapo Music Club which offered a selection of five students to perform. Each one of the performances gave the option to perform their own original music or play a cover of a song. In doing so, it gave them the opportunity to show off their work and engage with the community during the event while promoting South Asian culture.
Scattered throughout the night, ISO’s own e-board and members sang traditional songs as well and danced two dances. The club performs at most of their events bringing students into the musical traditions. They performed music and dances that are typically done during the festival to show the community some of what Diwali is like.
At the event, every table was full of students actively participating in some of the traditions that are a part of Diwali. President of ISO, Daniel Rajakumar, said in an interview with The Ramapo News that this event was hosted to spread South Asian culture through lights, food and people while also having a great time together. He said, “This event is crucial for the students who celebrate Diwali both religiously and culturally.”
In an email with The Ramapo News, Dean of Students Melissa Van Der Wall said, “I attended Light the Night and wish to commend Daniel and his peers for creating a highly engaging cultural experience for our students.” She said, “The way students think and feel about their college experience helps cultivate feelings of belonging and connectedness – as this is fundamental to one’s well-being.” She said that this event helps contribute to weekend student engagement and keeps the amazing campus tradition alive for students.
rbleich@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Rebecca Bleich
