The next day at school, the air was buzzing with excitement as students gathered to honor the customs that had been passed down for generations.
It was a day filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the creation of memories that will last a lifetime.
I joined the festivities with my ever-enthusiastic friend Saraph and a group of our coursemates.
The campus was adorned with colorful decorations, and the energy was contagious.
Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, eager to participate in the activities and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
As we wandered through the main quad, Saraph turned to me with a mischievous grin.
"So, what's the plan? Are we diving headfirst into the games or grabbing some snacks first?"
I laughed. "Knowing you, I'm guessing snacks are your priority."
"Guilty as charged," she admitted, leading the way to a row of food stalls.
The aroma of freshly made popcorn, sizzling burgers, and sweet cotton candy filled the air.
We grabbed some treats and found a spot under a shady tree to enjoy our feast.
Our friend Jacob joined us shortly after, holding a massive cone of ice cream.
"You guys have to try this," he said between bites. "It's like happiness in a cone."
"Noted," I replied, making a mental note to grab one later.
After refueling, we decided to check out the games. The dunk tank was a crowd favorite, with students lining up to soak their professors.
Saraph couldn't resist giving it a try. "Watch and learn," she said confidently as she stepped up.
Her aim was spot on, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the professor splashed into the water.
"Impressive," I said, clapping. "Remind me never to challenge you in anything involving aim."
The day continued with more laughter and fun. We participated in a tug-of-war match that left us covered in mud but grinning from ear to ear.
The obstacle course tested our teamwork skills, and we cheered each other on every step of the way.
The event was buzzing with excitement. Everywhere I looked, something was happening: music blaring, people dancing, and others attempting to dance
But let's call it "creative movement". Saraph, of course, was at the center of it all, cracking jokes that were so bad, they looped back around to being funny.
"Why did the scarecrow win an award?" Saraph asked out of nowhere.
I sighed. "I don't know, Saraph. Why?"
"Because he was outstanding in his field!" he exclaimed, grinning like he'd just discovered the meaning of life.
I groaned, but the others burst out laughing. Saraph had this weird ability to make even the corniest jokes land, probably because her delivery was so enthusiastic it was impossible not to laugh.
As the night went on, we found ourselves at a photo booth, where we decided to take some "serious" pictures.
By "serious," I mean we tried to recreate a dramatic soap opera scene.
Saraph pretended to faint into my arms while another friend dramatically pointed into the distance like they'd just seen a UFO.
The resulting photo looked like a poster for the worst movie ever made.
Then came the food stalls. Oh, the food! We devoured everything in sight: hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, you name it, we ate it.
At one point, Saraph decided to challenge me to a churro-eating contest. Spoiler alert: I lost miserably.
I think she inhaled those churros faster than I could say, "This is a terrible idea."
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the karaoke session.
Saraph insisted on singing a duet with me, even though neither of us can carry a tune to save our lives.
We chose a classic love ballad, but by the time we got to the chorus, it had turned into a comedy act.
Saraph sang off-key on purpose, and I couldn't stop laughing long enough to get through my lines.
By the end of it, the audience was in stitches, and we got a standing ovation not for our talent, but for our sheer audacity.
As the event wound down, we all gathered in a circle to share our favorite moments from the night.
Someone brought up Saraph's scarecrow joke again, why??, and we all groaned in unison.
"I'm retiring that one," she declared dramatically. "But don't worry, I've got plenty more where that came from."
As the sun began to set, the highlight of the evening arrived: the annual lantern release.
Each student was given a lantern to write their wishes or goals on before releasing it into the night sky.
It was a breathtaking sight as hundreds of lanterns floated upward, illuminating the darkness with their warm glow.
Standing there with Saraph and our coursemates, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
These were the moments that made college life so special – not just the traditions themselves, but the bonds we formed while celebrating them.
"This has been an amazing day," Saraph said softly as we watched the lanterns disappear into the distance.
"It has," I agreed. "Here's to many more memories like this."
College traditions are more than just events; they're a reminder of the joy of community, friendship, and shared experiences.
Finally, it was time to head home. Saraph and I walked together for a bit before parting ways.
"See you tomorrow in school," I said, trying not to yawn.
"See you tomorrow," she replied with a grin. "And don't forget outstanding in her field!"
We both burst out laughing one last time before saying goodnight.
As I made my way home, I couldn't help but smile.
Sure, Saraph's jokes were terrible, and my stomach hurt from all the churros, but it had been an unforgettable night filled with laughter and camaraderie.
College traditions may come and go, but nights like these? They're what make it all worthwhile.