WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.000 Christmas Music 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:20.000 Intro Music 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:24.000 Intro Music 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.000 Intro Music 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.000 Intro Music 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:36.000 Intro Music 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:40.000 Intro Music 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:44.000 Intro Music 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.000 Intro Music 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.000 Intro Music 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.000 Intro Music 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:60.000 Intro Music 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.000 Intro Music 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:08.000 Intro Music 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.000 Intro Music 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:16.000 Intro Music 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:20.000 Intro Music 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:24.000 Intro Music 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:28.000 Welcome to the 47th annual Holiday Tree Lighting 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:32.000 I'm Patrick Moser and I'm an alum of Western Oregon University in 1996. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:36.000 I'm currently on the Alumni Board and I work on campus. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:42.000 I'm the Director of the Werner University Center and Student Leadership Activities. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.000 Yes, hello and welcome. My name is Natasha Blair 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:48.000 and I am also a member of the Alumni Association Board. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.000 I'm the class of 2014. I also work on campus 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:56.000 as an accounting technician for Campus Recreation and the business office. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:60.000 And we are in for a fun night tonight Natasha. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:03.000 Yes we are. So excited to see the big tree being lit. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:06.000 And of course it's going to start with a parade that we'll be seeing here very soon. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:10.000 And then President Weiss will be giving his welcome address 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:14.000 were he'll feature the essay contest winner, who actually flips the switch for the tree lighting 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:18.000 and then the main event of course is the holiday tree lighting. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:21.000 I'm really excited. I can't wait. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:24.000 So Patrick, do you have a favorite holiday tradition? 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:29.000 Well thanks for asking. While we're waiting for the parade, I do. I love going caroling. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:36.000 And it looks like we are getting ready for the first parade floats coming right now. Okay. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.000 But yes, I love to carol, going door to door 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:44.000 and knocking on strangers' doors. Sounds a little creepy 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:47.000 when you talk about it that way, but I love caroling. How about you? 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:49.000 What's your favorite holiday tradition? 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:53.000 I love to go cut down the christmas tree with my husband. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:56.000 Oh really, what's your favorite kind of tree? 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:62.000 Blue spruce. Excellent, that's a gorgeous tree. And actually you can see in the distance 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:09.000 the parade is starting to come and we're right there in front of the camera view that you see 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:13.000 right in front of the Institutional Technology Center building, 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:15.000 the old campus elementary building. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:20.000 And so we're waiting for the first parade float to arrive. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:24.000 Last year of course, the tree lighting didn't quite happen. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:31.000 In the normal way, of course. It generally is the first Friday of every year. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.000 But we had a huge snow storm. I remember that, yeah. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:40.000 Inches and inches of snow. And actually, the first float we see 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:44.000 there right now, it looks like a police car really. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.000 I don't think that's on our lineup, but that's generally how 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:52.000 parades are started of course. We have probably the Monmouth Police Department 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:56.000 and the Independence Police Department. But yeah, the snow last year 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:60.000 was crazy. I think we got three 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:04.000 or thirty-six inches of snow? No that's probably way too much. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:07.000 I think that was a little bit later, afterwards. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:12.000 And of course all of the families love to come out to this event. We just saw 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:16.000 on camera a father and probably his father, I'm assuming. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:20.000 It's a great tradition. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:24.000 They've come to see the parade, of course the tree lighting. We get thousands of people 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.000 actually on campus, not only from the campus community, but from the outside community. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:32.000 I've had, since I've been an alumni from 1991, I've actually been to 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:36.000 twenty three of the these tree lightings and I know that 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:42.000 some of my friends who I graduated with who come year after year for this great tradition. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:47.000 It really is quite nice. And I know that the community members here, both Monmouth and Independence, 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:53.000 really enjoy bringing their children here. My husband's family has actually been living here 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:58.000 for, I don't know, twenty nine years. And they brought my husband and his sister here every year. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:61.000 Oh really? Yeah. That is great. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.000 I didn't even know they had a tree lighting 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:08.000 until I got here. And of course the tree is quite remarkable. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:12.000 It was planted in 1887. Oh my goodness. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:16.000 So it's 127 years old and it's 123 feet tall. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:20.000 Which actually makes it the third largest living holiday tree 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:24.000 and then the second largest giant sequoia in the state of Oregon. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:28.000 That is really cool. It's nice to have something in Monmouth 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:32.000 that has something special about it like that. And this parade 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:36.000 is going slower than it has in the past years. There must be a huge crowd out there 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:40.000 really taking a look at all of the great 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:44.000 entries and the floats. So like I said before, I'm quite confident that 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:48.000 we have Independence and the Monmouth police leading this parade 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:52.000 because, you know what, we are in a small community of Monmouth, but Independence 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:57.000 is right next door. If you combine the communities, we have sixteen thousand residents. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:60.000 And the communities work so close together. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:04.000 You often see Monmouth and Independence police working together, even at the parade. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:07.000 Definitely, and we always want to keep safety first. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:12.000 Well of course, with all of the kids out there. You see them right there 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:16.000 and they need to be protected. And now the first, right after the police, 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:19.000 we have the WOU ROTC Color Guard. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:25.000 They are having our nation's colors and that's probably the State of Oregon flag as well. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:31.000 It's always nice to have a group of students who are part of the ROTC 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:36.000 to lead off the parade. Most definitely. Adds a little 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:40.000 patriotic enthusiasm to the whole thing. You know 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:44.000 you can never have enough of that. That's what I've found. Definitely. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:48.000 So, like I said, the parade 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:52.000 is moving at a snail's pace, but 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:56.000 it's probably because there's so many people out there. They want to make sure everyone 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:60.000 enjoys it and it's actually approaching right in front 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:04.000 of where ITC is. Actually look, 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:08.000 I was wrong. Campus Public Safety is the 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:12.000 partner. We have our own public safety on campus and they work very closely 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:17.000 with the Monmouth Police who are actually the other side of that trio. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:20.000 So Independence, I guess we did leave Independence out 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:24.000 but we won't later today because the mayor's are going to be addressing 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:26.000 the crowd as well. And there's the ROTC. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:32.000 Looking great in their uniforms. Really? Yeah. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:37.000 That's fantastic. Oh yes, would you like to look at that. Horses. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:43.000 That is nice. The Polk County Mounted Posse. Excellent. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:48.000 You know I, of course back in the day, that's how police 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:52.000 and the folks got around, on the mounted posse and there's just not enough mounted posses 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:56.000 anymore, that's what I say. Okay, our first float from campus 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:60.000 is Arbor Park and their float theme is Santa's Helpers. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:03.000 And you see them right there. Those are Santa's Helpers. 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:08.000 They're waving. A lot of the floats have candy to throw out to the kids. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:16.000 Well you know, Santa can't do it alone. No. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:21.000 He actually needs a lot of help. I think Arbor Park can help him. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:24.000 Arbor Park of course is one of our residence halls on campus. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:28.000 It's actually our apartment style living, so two hundred and ten students live there. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:32.000 And that's who was walking the parade there. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:37.000 And we, what just passed was that. Right now, right in front of the camera 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:41.000 coming by that is Western Oregon University's drum line. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:44.000 And they're actually very entertaining. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:48.000 They actually will march around the community. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:52.000 I live in town and they will come up and down my street and go around the neighborhood 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:56.000 and bang their drums. I guess that's what they're doing, I'm not a drummer 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:60.000 or a percussionist, but I assuming that's what they're doing, banging their drums. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:04.000 This is not the next, what it says there. This is the Barnum, 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:08.000 Butler, and Gentle Hall government and residents. 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:11.000 They're theme is Winter in Barnum, Butler, and Gentle. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:16.000 So the residents, you notice, are carrying something. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:20.000 Some sort of, I don't know what that was. It was very interesting though. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:24.000 It looks like a winterized model of the residence. Oh, is that what it was? 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:28.000 Okay, because that's our residence halls. There are the upperclassmen 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:32.000 and the first year students that live there as well. And there's MSU, 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:36.000 the Multicultural Student Union and their theme this year 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:39.000 is the Smurfs' Christmas. That is so cool. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:44.000 I love the Smurfs, of course they were really popular when I was young 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:48.000 which was a long ago. And that was Monmouth Public Works. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:52.000 They're responsible for all of our water 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:56.000 and electricity. And who's that? Just passing us, 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:60.000 that would be the WOU Model United Nations. You know this parade 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:04.000 started off slow, but they've moved it quicker now. This is the Green Dot. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:08.000 This is Make the Green Out, Power the Red. A truck decorated 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:12.000 in green dots, going with the theme, Make the Green 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:16.000 Outnumber the Red. Green Dot is of course a bystander training 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:20.000 for students to help stop sexual assault on campus. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:24.000 Very cool. And now we have the WOU International Club. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:28.000 Their theme is International Theme and they're walking down 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:32.000 with various flags from different countries. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:36.000 And they're also dressed in traditional clothing from around the world. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:40.000 Perfect. And right behind them is the Omega Delta Phi, 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:44.000 one of our fraternities on campus, and it's the Nightmare Before Christmas. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:48.000 I've seen that movie. It looked like it was a van. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:52.000 And there were supposed to be some silver knights there. I didn't quite see them, 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:55.000 but that was their theme, the Nightmare Before Christmas. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:59.000 And then now, here's Kappa Delta Chi. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:10:64.000 And I believe they are Penguin Wonderlands. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:08.000 It looks like it. And there are penguins on there. I love penguins. They're so cute. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:12.000 They really are, all dressed up in their tuxedos. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:16.000 This is Ackerman Hall Government. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:20.000 Yeah, this is actually one of our newest residence halls on campus. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:24.000 If you haven't been back to campus recently, it was opened in 2010, 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:28.000 it's a LEED Platinum building and this is the hall government. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:32.000 And so they are Ackersleigh. Ackersleigh is their theme. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:36.000 And there are supposed to be elves and reindeer playing the sleigh. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:40.000 Right behind them is the ASWOU, the Association 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:44.000 of Students of Western Oregon University and their theme was presents because they were 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:48.000 dressed up as presents. And there they are, all dressed up in the present glory. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:52.000 Wow, sorry about that. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:56.000 And the next one we have is Wolves Helping Others. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:61.000 And their theme is Rooted in the Community, a Beacon to Our Future. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:04.000 And of course, that's the theme of this year's tree lighting, Rooted in Community 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:08.000 and Beacon to our Future. And behind them is Minet. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:12.000 Minet Man is what that looks like. Minet is our cable 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:19.000 and telephone and data information and utility in Monmouth and Independence. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:26.000 This looks like it's the Monmouth Student's Nursing Association. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:31.000 And this is also Santa's Helpers, we have a lot of Santa's Helpers out here tonight. And this one 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:36.000 had a christmas tree on it with lights and presents, the whole nine yards. Oh look 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:40.000 you know who this is. This is obviously Polk County #1, this is the fire department. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.000 They always have their ladder truck out here, but whenever the kids see the ladder truck 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:48.000 they know someone else is on the ladder truck. And do you know who that is Natasha? 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:52.000 I've heard that it's Santa. Well, let's hope it is 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:56.000 because that's what the kids are waiting for. In fact you see some kids on the 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:60.000 street walking next to it. They must have spotted Santa 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:04.000 and escaped from their parents. And there he is. Oh my goodness, Santa. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:08.000 You know Santa Claus is coming to town and he's in Monmouth right now. So if you're waiting 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:12.000 for him, wherever you are tonight watching this on the live stream 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:16.000 he's here in Monmouth. Yes he is, so you've better been good this year. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:20.000 Exactly. If you see a Santa somewhere else right now, it's probably one of his helpers. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:24.000 And of course the fire department is always willing to lend Santa a hand 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:28.000 and get him to where he wants to be. Tonight he wants 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:32.000 to be, like all of us at the 47th annual Holiday Tree Lighting. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:36.000 And here, Santa's getting out of the truck. Oh my. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:40.000 Yeah this is always kind of the dangerous part of this parade, is when Santa is 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:44.000 walking down gingerly, yeah see? Walking down, getting off 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:48.000 the float, but this is also when children start 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:52.000 to rush Santa. Really? Yeah. So that's why they have to have that guard dog 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:56.000 right there, haha, to keep the children away. Of course that was a joke. But Santa, 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:60.000 look at all of the kids, of course Santa is here. They're excited, 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:04.000 high fives for Santa. And those kids are excited because after 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:08.000 the presentation and after the tree lighting, there's 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:12.000 an indoor program in the Werner University Center. It's quite the tradition. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:16.000 The kids can all go and get their pictures taken with Santa. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:20.000 Also there's some holiday concerts down in the Pacific Room and 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:24.000 there's also a cookie bake-off contest. See now, I would like to be the judge 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:28.000 for that. Well you know what's funny, there are three judges and I 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:32.000 didn't get to be a judge either. But they've actually done the judging. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:36.000 They did the cookie tasting contest in my office this afternoon, which was 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.000 torture, right? Because they're like 'Here's 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:44.000 an extra piece of cookie that you can try'. So I tried some of them and I had my own opinion. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:48.000 I think Santa thought he was going up the stairs, but they just told him no 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:52.000 not time for you Santa. Thanks for 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:56.000 stopping by, but get back in the truck, and we will 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:60.000 see you in the University Center. That Santa, he's always wanting to be 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:04.000 close to his people and so that's why he got off the 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:08.000 truck and was going up the stairs, but not where he wanted to be at this point. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:12.000 But he will be in the University Center and that will be exciting. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:16.000 Definitely. Well I'm sure he brightened the parade for all of the children here tonight. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:20.000 Well did you see those kids waving at him? There he is, he's still walking the parade 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.000 route. He's no longer on the truck and the kids 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:28.000 are just clamoring. In fact, it's almost a disadvantage 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:32.000 to bring Santa at this time, because all these kids are thinking about, they don't care 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:36.000 about the tree lighting anymore. They're certainly not going to want to hear from 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:40.000 our distinguished institutional president. They just want to go in and visit 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:44.000 Santa. Yes. But that will have to wait because we still have a tree 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:48.000 lighting to get to. Most definitely. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:55.000 So as the parade is finishing up here, 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:60.000 as the parade is finishing up here, we're going to be awaiting the arrival of President Weiss 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:04.000 and like I mentioned, he'll be giving a welcome address, 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:08.000 talking about the traditions of the tree lighting 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:12.000 and we'll hear that here on the live stream. Good evening and welcome to 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:16.000 Western Oregon University's 47th Annual Holiday 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:20.000 Tree Lighting. The theme for year's event is Rooted 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:24.000 in Community, a Beacon to Our Future. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:28.000 We recognize the importance that this community has 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:32.000 on all our lives and the lasting fond memories 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:36.000 it helps to create. Whether it be families 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:40.000 that live in the Monmouth-Independence community 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:44.000 or students who joined this community for several 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:48.000 important years of their lives, our community 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:52.000 has a positive impact on the lives that 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:56.000 have the opportunity to join us. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:60.000 With that in mind, Western Oregon welcomes 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:04.000 all of you to our campus tonight. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:08.000 Our community members, students, faculty, and staff 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:12.000 this is a time to celebrate 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.000 the season and to give thanks for family, friends, 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:20.000 and supportive community we find ourselves apart of. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:24.000 This is also the season 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:28.000 of giving, and one way we can do this is by 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:32.000 remembering those less fortunate than ourselves 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:36.000 with care and compassion. I encourage you to give 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:40.000 any time and energy you may have to help those around you 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:44.000 to have a happy holiday season. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:48.000 We want to thank you for joining us tonight 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:52.000 as we celebrate the season as a community 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:56.000 with the traditional lighting of our tree. In just 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:60.000 a few minutes, we will commence the annual lighting 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:04.000 of the sequoia tree ceremony. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:08.000 We are honored to have tonight with us the mayor of Independence, 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:12.000 John McArdle 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:19.000 and the mayor of Monmouth, John Oberst. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:24.000 to join us here 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:28.000 tonight for this evening's festivities. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:32.000 Every year, the Student Activities Board 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:36.000 of Western Oregon University invites students 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:40.000 from Ash Creek Elementary, Monmouth Elementary, 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:44.000 and Independence Elementary to participate 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:48.000 in a coloring and essay contest. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:52.000 We wish to thank all the students that participated this year 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:56.000 and this evening we would like to first recognize 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:60.000 and congratulate the top winners of the coloring contest 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:04.000 from each grade. When I call your name 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:08.000 please come forward to be recognized. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:12.000 Beginning with our kindergarden winner 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:16.000 Jackson Farley of Monmouth Elementary. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:20.000 Applause 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:24.000 The top picture in the first grade 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:28.000 belongs to Aiden Wendering of Monmouth Elementary 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:32.000 Applause 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:36.000 And finally the top picture for 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:40.000 second grade, Alex Gonzales of Independence Elementary. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:44.000 Applause 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:48.000 A number of these beautiful pictures 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:52.000 are on display at the Werner University Center for you to see 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:56.000 this evening. Please stop by and view the wonderful 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:60.000 work these students have created. We will 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:04.000 now introduce the essay winners. This year students 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:08.000 were asked to define their perfect holiday, 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:12.000 who is there, what would 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:16.000 be important to them, what would they be doing, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:20.000 where they would be doing it, and why this holiday 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:24.000 is important to them. So these winners 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:28.000 were the top three overall amongst third through fifth 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:32.000 grades. Again, I ask that you please step 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:36.000 forward as your name is called, beginning with 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:40.000 an honorable mention for Claire Bevins of 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:44.000 Monmouth Elementary School. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:48.000 Applause 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:52.000 In third place, Gretchen Mitchel, 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:56.000 of Monmouth Elementary School. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:60.000 Applause 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:04.000 In second place, McKayla Geth of Monmouth Elementary School. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:10.000 Applause 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:15.000 And now I would like to introduce the winner of the essay 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:20.000 contest. She will have the honor of reading her 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:24.000 essay and the privilege of lighting the tree. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:28.000 Kristin Taylor of Ash Creek Elementary School. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.000 Applause 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:36.000 My holiday would be going around town giving ten dollars to all the people that make my 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:40.000 life better everyday and to 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:44.000 shoebox to the kids that can get presents and to see my grandma 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:48.000 and grandpa again before they died. That is my perfect holiday. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:52.000 Merry Christmas. Thank you Kristin. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:56.000 That is a wonderful holiday, you did such a good job. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:60.000 Are you ready to light the tree? Yes. Alright, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:04.000 President Weiss has the magic words. Well first, thank you 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:08.000 Kristin, and now the moment we've all been waiting for. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:12.000 As the winner of the essay contest, Kristin 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:16.000 will now light the tree. May I have the lights out 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:20.000 please. I'll begin the countdown. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:24.000 Ten. Nine. Eight. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:28.000 Seven. Six. Five. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:32.000 Four. Three. Two. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:36.000 One. Zero! 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:45.000 Applause 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:48.000 Finally, we would like to 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:52.000 thank you all for attending the 47th Annual 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:56.000 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Western 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:60.000 Oregon University. Good night and happy 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.000 holidays to all. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:08.000 Applause 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:12.000 Wow, that was quite the tree lighting. What a great 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:16.000 event. The tree looks beautiful, lit to perfection, 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:20.000 went off without a hitch. Once again, the essay writters 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:24.000 for Monmouth Elementary were lots of fun 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:28.000 and great to watch. Definitely. And we actually got to 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:32.000 see the coloring pages that won and I have to say 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:36.000 those kids, they had one on me when I was their age. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:40.000 I could never color like that. They were so festive. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:44.000 We'd like to thank you for being with us this 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:48.000 evening, but before we do that we have some things, 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:52.000 we are apart of the Alumni Association, so we want to share 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:56.000 some of the upcoming events that they're having. First of all, we're having 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:60.000 a WOU night at the Blazers, sponsored through the Alumni Association. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:04.000 The date of that event is Saturday, January 10th, and is against 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:08.000 the Orlando Magic. And the Blazers are hot this year, they're 15-4 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:12.000 to start the season, so it would be a great time to connect with the Alumni Association. 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:16.000 They have a pre-event at the Yardhouse and it's $70 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:20.000 for the Section 225 tickets. There are limited tickets available. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:24.000 The package also includes the MAX tickets from the Yardhouse to 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:28.000 the Moda Center, so if you're interested in being apart of 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:32.000 that special evening with the Trailblazers and the Alumni 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:36.000 Association, make sure you call the information on the screen. Another 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:40.000 event that the WOU Alumni will be doing is at the Eola 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:44.000 Hills Wine Cellars in Rickreall on Friday, April 17th, 2015. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:47.000 Alumni and friends are invited to join 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:52.000 together in this spring favorite. There will be wine and food parings, 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:56.000 wine by the glass or bottle, and there will also be door prizes, 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:60.000 local food, music, and fun. If you are interested, please call (503) 838-8710. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:04.000 Or go to the WOU 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:08.000 Alumni page at www.edu/alumni. 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:12.000 And if you're an alumni of Western Oregon University, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:16.000 the Alumni Association is a great organization 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:20.000 to be apart of. There are lots of perks. You have free membership. There are no donations 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:24.000 necessary to be a member. No annual contract. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:28.000 All card carrying members receive 10% the WOU Bookstore and online. You contact 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:32.000 the office to get your card. You'll get special event invitations, 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:36.000 monthly e-newsletters, and there are special announcements. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:40.000 There are opportunities to become board members, like ourselves. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:44.000 I really enjoy the Alumni Board, myself. Absolutely. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:48.000 Well we want to thank you for joining us this weekend. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:52.000 It's so nice to have this kind of support for Western and for the community. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:56.000 That's right, Natasha. Thank you so much for your time and support. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:60.000 Please contact the Alumni Association to get your card. 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:04.000 We hope you've enjoyed the Tree Lighting Ceremony, another great 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:08.000 event. And we hope to see you on campus next year. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.000 Goodnight, goodnight. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:16.000 Music 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:20.000 Music 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:24.000 Music 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:28.000 Music 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:32.000 Music 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:36.000 Music 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:40.000 Music 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:44.000 Music 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:48.000 Music 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:52.000 Music 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:56.000 Music 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:60.000 Music 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:04.000 Music 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:08.000 Music 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:12.000 Music 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:16.000 Music 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:20.000 Music 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:24.000 Music 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:28.000 Music 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:32.000 Music 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:36.000 Music 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:40.000 Music 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:44.000 Music 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:48.000 Music 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:52.000 Music 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:56.000 Music 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:60.000 Music 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:04.000 Music 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:08.000 Music 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:12.000 Music 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:16.000 Music 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:20.000 Music 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:24.000 Music 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:28.000 Music 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:31.000 Music