Chelsea Mills
The Annual Snowball Fight: Dartmouth's 23W Tradition
Nearly 4 weeks into the winter term, Dartmouth has already celebrated one of its most wholesome seasonal traditions: the annual campus-wide snowball fight. The fight is prompted by the first "big" snowfall. This year, it was marked by around 7 inches. The excitement that followed after, however, was boundless.
Snow started to pile up Thursday night. By the time we woke up, campus was covered in a stunning blanket of pure white. Virtually everyone (myself included) pulled out their phone cameras to capture it. Despite being a great photo op, what we were really excited about was the snowball fight.
Finally, at 4:20 p.m., we got the email. Dartmouth Alumnus Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss!) sends a cute poem to the community, officially announcing the start of the snowball fight that night. Before then, people just talk, speculating when the fight will actually happen.
I had heard so much about the tradition that I didn't take any chances to miss it. Midnight rolled around, and everyone made their way to the Green. I met up with my friends and we started to look for potential victims. There were literally snowballs being thrown in every direction; I tried my best to gather decently sized snowballs before getting hit myself.
I think everyone had a lot of fun—I definitely did. I like how casual and carefree the snowball fight was. Something about throwing a snowball just makes you feel like a little kid again. My hands were practically numb, but I made great memories. I know I'm barely halfway through my first year here, but this tradition is by far one of my favorites.
Winter in Hanover feels like more than just the weather to me. Dartmouth embraces the cold, snow, and all the fun that comes with it. If you're nervous about your first winter here, at least you have Dr. Seuss's email to look forward to. Don't forget your gloves! :)
Posts You Might Like
Take a look at my favorite class this term - NAIS 8 Perspectives in Native American Studies.
A feature on my intramural hockey team this term!
Senior spring is here and it is surreal to reflect on how much my daily routine has evolved. We have just welcomed the Class of 2030, and I am so incredibly excited for the next generation of Dartmouth students to find their home in Hanover!
This is what happens when you let me lead a beginner canoeing trip in Utah!
Hear a bit more about our class trip to Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Palermo!
‼️‼️Warning: might fall in love with our dining halls, Shabbat meals at Dartmouth, and cafe's near campus‼️‼️
Since 1911, Dartmouth has hosted the annual Winter Carnival. This year, we celebrated the 116th Winter Carnival, The Blizzard of Oz, filled with winter-themed activities and campus wide fun!
Ah, college—a new beginning. Read on to hear what the transition was like for me, from being a nervous but excited high school senior to slowly settling into college life.
An overview of lessons learned during my winter off-term right here on campus!