On Tuesday, December 2, the Kean Student Government Association (SGA) Senior Class of 2026 hosted the “Snow Place Like SGA” event at the Miron Student Center, a winter-themed celebration for the holiday season.
From 3 to 4:30 p.m., the celebration offered a welcome space for students to foster connection and well-being during finals. Attendees were greeted with a warm refreshments station offering hot chocolate and free cupcakes, helping counter the recent cold weather.
Daniel Santos, a Senior Business Management major from Newark, NJ, and SGA Vice President of Public Relations, explained that the significance of hosting the event that show excitement and Kean spirit.
“With this event sponsored by the SGA Class of 2026, we are helping students get ready for the holiday season and relax before finals because it is stressful,” Santos said. “Students should enjoy time off and talk to each other about different things; it doesn’t necessarily have to be about school.”
With students nearing the end of the semester, the event provided a moment to recharge and take a break from classes. The SGA Senior Class aimed to create a welcoming and inclusive campus environment that ensures students have a good time.
Julissa Reyes, a Freshman English major from Old Bridge, NJ, shared how the seasonal session enhanced her experience and provided a space for her to relax without the worry of exam week.
“Their hot chocolate was great, especially since it was one of my favorite things during this season,” Reyes said. “It’s not overwhelming as I’m here being relaxed and allowed to get a drink, and being in the month of December, it’s truly lifting my Christmas spirit with the music playing too.”
As the event continued, students crafted decorated ornaments by painting iconic Christmas objects such as a sleigh, a snowman, and a Christmas tree, coloring wooden snowflakes, by showcasing their artwork to enjoy the holiday season.
Alex Vargas, a Sophomore Computer Science major from Seaside Heights, NJ, expressed his gratitude for the servings of hot chocolate and crafting ornaments.
“Since there was a gap between my classes, I figured to stop by and grab hot chocolate and decorate an ornament; I definitely had so much fun,” Vargas said. “It felt nice to remember that it’s December and we should feel festive; it’s the holiday season and we should be happy instead of panicking over finals.”
The SGA winter-themed event helped promote school spirit, offer mental-health-related breaks, and remind students that community support is available as they navigate their academic work.
Rhandall Almonacy, a Senior Psychology major from Union, NJ, and SGA Senior Class (2026) President, shared his passion for helping students feel belonged and enjoy the joy of forming connections with other peers.
“The ideology of hosting these events is to give that welcoming space, and I wish for students to realize that Kean is a welcoming and diverse environment,” Almonacy said. “They can appreciate that Kean is not just a place for school but to foster belonging and have fun so their voices can be heard.”
Jazlyn Ruiz, a Junior Communication major from Perth Amboy, NJ, shared her interest in exploring more seasonal occasions.
“Events like this showed me that I have opportunities to explore life here on campus to fully engage with my friends and feel more comfortable,” Ruiz said. “I definitely am looking forward to more holiday events like this, so I have more memorable experiences.”
As students prepare for finals, “Snow Place Like SGA” offered a much-needed moment of relief and opportunity for community engagement, helping students feel right at home at Kean.
