“It’s a celebration of the diversity we have at JMU,” Emily Romito said. Romito is the graduate assistant for JMU’s Peer Mentor Program (sponsored by the Counseling & Student Development Center), which is, according to their mission statement, “designed to assist first year and transfer multicultural and international students in making a successful and rewarding transition from high school to JMU.” The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Student Services. Those in attendance were asked to bring either three dollars or three canned goods, with all proceeds going to Our Community Place.

“I feel like it’s a chance to learn about different holidays,” Peer Mentor staff member Tierra Thompson said. Thompson is also a member of Contemporary Gospel Singers, a JMU gospel group that performed two Christmas-related songs at the event. Singing group “Blackapella” also performed.

Further entertainment was provided in the form of speeches made by JMU students about the holidays they celebrate. Ramadan, Christmas, X-mas (a celebration of Christmas without focusing on Christianity), Hanukkah, Three Kings Day, Kwanzaa and Chinese New Year were all represented. Colorful displays provided more information, and members from various student organizations,

A cultural meal of shrimp paella, Ashanti chicken, and potato latkes, a food traditionally eaten during Hannukkah, was served. Desert was sweet potato pie and apple cobbler.

“I’m from a really diverse community, and this isn’t as diverse,” said social work major Lauren Saval, who celebrates Hanukkah, and spoke about the holiday along with fellow social work major Haley Bandier. “[The event] is a really good way to bring religions and cultures together. [There are] a lot of similarities, not just differences.”

Peer mentor staff and mistress of ceremonies Sabrina Plummer said that she and her co-workers tried to make sure those who practice different religions, like Saval and Plummer, were not left out.

“We tried to make sure all holidays were represented,” Plummer said. “I like this program because its a chance to show people it’s not just about Christmas.”