Trinity Traditions

by Amanda Snook '05

The first thing that comes to mind when talking about Trinity traditions is the popular custom of throwing people in the fountain on their birthdays. But as enticing as Miller Fountain looks, it is not the most exciting place to swim. The lucky ones have birthdays in August or May when, in this warm Texas weather, getting thrown into the cool fountain might add some refreshment to your day. However, it's not quite as fun when your birthday falls right around January. Still, this is definitely my favorite tradition at Trinity. Why you ask? According to Amrita Singh, a sophomore from Midland, Barbados, "It's just really fun. It's also a little painful though. The fountain is not very deep." The good news as far as the "getting thrown in" is concerned is that your birthday only comes once a year. As far as the much more popular act of "throwing in" there are approximately 2,399 other students at Trinity — oh the endless possibilities.

Another more light-hearted tradition at Trinity is called "The Calvert Ghosts." As you might have guessed, this tradition occurs during Halloween. The trick is not to miss these spooky characters. As custom goes, the students living on the third floor of the first year dorm Calvert Hall cover themselves in baby powder and run around campus in the nude. I don't feel the need to elaborate any further.

Erica Schmidt, a senior from New Braunfels, Texas has a favorite tradition of her own. "I like the Christmas lights that students put up on the Esplanade during the holidays because it's during finals when everything else on campus is very hectic. It's a nice reminder that there is more going on in the world than that test I have the next day. With lights all around campus, it makes it easy to enjoy the cheerful spirit of the holidays."

In addition to putting up lights around campus, Trinity has an annual Christmas Vespers in the chapel to celebrate the holidays. Afterwards the faculty and administrators who live on campus open up their homes and serve tamales, cookies, and wassail. According to Melanie Jannicelli, a junior from Centennial Colorado, "it's a good way to bring students together in a community atmosphere. My favorite part is waiting in the lines outside of the houses because you can just talk with friends and listen to the hand bell choir play on the front lawns."

As for traditions that extend beyond the Trinity community — no one will deny the excitement of "Trinity Night at the Spurs." Cavatina Pham a senior from Houston, TX remembers what it was like her first year at Trinity. "It's my favorite tradition because I love the Spurs and the tickets are really cheap. It's fun to go cheer them on with a big group of Trinity students. My friends and I got together and painted our faces for the occasion. It spelled out Go Spurs!, and I was the explanation point!"

The cool thing about traditions is that they are always in the making. Adam Sanchez–Guerrero, a first year from San Antonio, TX says "I have a personal tradition of going to Coates before it closes at midnight to grab some snacks and Gatorade to fuel my procrastination. College brings about new time tables. Aside from that, my favorite tradition at Trinity is when we climb the tower during orientation and shake Dr. Brazil's hand. As a first year you climb the tower to meet the head honcho of the University, but when you climb it again after graduation it's like you're climbing it as a whole new person and the tradition comes full circle."