San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Scripps Lawn covered in snow for a night

Peter Kluch / Senior Staff Photographer
Peter Kluch / Senior Staff Photographer

Snow in San Diego is rare, which explains the draw of the final scheduled event of Aztec Nights, the student-centered late night events organized by Associated Students at the beginning of each semester. Twenty tons of snow covered Scripps Lawn last Saturday as students participated in games and contests in the third annual Winter Wonderland.

“Winter Wonderland is now an annual event on our campus that our students look forward to every year,” Randy Timm, Director of Student Life & Leadership, said. “It is great to see students, faculty and staff interacting in such a fun environment.”

Most of the students said the main attraction that drew them to the event was the snow. The small hill next to the turtle pond was transformed, covered by snow and organized into an area for sledding. Music pumped through the air at the whim of DJ Cliff de Peralta, a regular feature at many events at San Diego State. Outside Scripps Cottage, a screened-off area provided a place for students to play Wii Sports, and inside the cottage, board game were laid out for a different kind of fun. A plethora of s’mores and hot chocolate was served.

Peter Kluch / Senior Staff Photographer
Peter Kluch / Senior Staff Photographer

Ashley Wagner, an event coordinator, estimated 1,000 students were expected to attend Winter Wonderland. The event had a budget of $12,000, the majority of which went to funding the snow itself.
Students both creative and competitive vied to win a snowman-building contest using the hats, carrots, scarves and other accessories provided by the event organizers.

A particularly fashionable snowman stood out from the rest, built by foreign exchange students from Germany, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Quebec, noticeably superior compared to many of the snow-deprived Southern Californian students’ works. Priscilla Plamondon, a student from Canada, declared the winner “a quality snowman.”  The winners received gift cards, but for the more snow-deprived students in particular, the snow itself was the prize.

“Snow in California, wow … the best thing ever … thank you,” Plamondon said.

Editor in Chief Ruthie Kelly contributed to this story.

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Scripps Lawn covered in snow for a night