On Dec. 3, 2025, West Texas A&M University (WT) partnered with the City of Canyon to put on its annual campus-wide “Festival of Lights.” As a cherished tradition for the community, this year marked 35 years of the festival.
The event opened with speakers, including University President Dr. Walter Wendler, Vice President of Philanthropy and External Relations Todd Rasberry, Canyon Mayor Gary Hinders, Student Body President Mary Vivian Ivey, and Residential Living Advisor Nicholas McCullough.
Since WT’s Residential Hall Association (RHA) established the event in 1990, McCullough gave a speech about the event’s importance.
“What you’re seeing tonight is a testament to how this celebration has grown and become an important part of the holiday season at WT and here in Canyon,” McCullough said. “RHA is proud to be a sponsor for the ‘Festival of Lights,’ and to work alongside campus life, student organizations, university administration, and the wonderful folks of Canyon to kick off the holiday season. People coming together to make something memorable for everyone is one of the things that makes WT so special.”
McCullough concluded by wishing the audience a happy holiday.
“There’s so much about the panhandle that makes this time of year special,” McCullough said. “Cool nights, wide open skies, bright stars, sparkling decorative lights, and the fragrances which let us know it’s Christmas, and those warm feelings you get when you’re with family and friends during the holidays. It’s a pleasure to share this special holiday tradition with all of you, and thank you for coming. From all of us at WT, Merry Christmas, and may this time of year be filled with joy, laughter, and blessings for all.”
After the campus was lit with nearly 200,000 lights, attendees interacted with student organizations, enjoyed a hot chocolate bar, and lined up to talk to Santa Claus. When asked what Christmas meant to them, students shared their thoughts.
Agricultural Education Sophomore, Hannah Burns said Christmas is about family.
“Christmas, to me, is really about family,” Burns said. “I have a lot of family that lives close by, but I also have family that lives really, really far, and so I don’t always get to see them or talk to them, as well as family who have different age differences, and so I don’t really get to text them and FaceTime them and stuff. So it’s always really, really nice to get to see them and just spend time with them and get closer with them and see them grow up.”
Sophomore Herdsman majoring in Agricultural Education, Claudia Tepper said Christmas is about family, faith, and friends.
“I would say Christmas, to me, is really just spending time with family,” Tepper said. “And for my own personal beliefs, it’s just like being with family, and spending time to know that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. This is the day that he was born, so that’s for me personally. But being with family, being at home, just having a good time with friends.”
Biology grad student Caden Bonilla said Christmas is about refocusing on Christ with his family.
“Christmas is a really good reminder for me to slow down and realize why I celebrate Christmas,” Bonilla said. “[I] refocus my life back onto Christ and realize what I have been given and what has been provided for me. And then just having my family there also to tie that all together, strengthening our faith together.”
Before the night ended, even Santa Claus shared his favorite part of the night.
“The Festival of Lights, to me, it’s all about the people. Everybody acting [like] children, as they should. This is a festival time of the year.”
