Although it was the gigantic monolith snow sculpture that towered over attendees at this year's Winter Carnival opening ceremonies, the overarching theme was that of community and togetherness.
In contrast to two years ago, when 600 pro-Greek students marched from Webster Avenue to the Green in protest against the Student Life Initiative, this year's ceremonies took place during a more somber time, just two weeks after the tragic, as of now yet-unsolved murders of professors Half and Susanne Zantop.
The atmosphere was celebratory, however, as members of winter sports teams paraded from Collis to the center of the Green under the Hanover night sky, carrying flourescent fireworks in hand.
Approximately 150 other onlookers stood in front of the sculpture to listen to remarks by Carnival organizers and College President James Wright, and to the music of campus a cappella groups.
Following a performance by Final Cut, Amish Parashar '03, one of the weekend's organizers, welcomed everyone to the 91st annual Winter Carnival.
Fellow organizer Anne Cloudman '02 said, "Winter Carnival is really about the time students spend here," and called the choice of the sculpture "fitting."
"Singular in its name and beauty, it invites introspection," Carnival co-organizer Raymond Gilliar '01said of the monolith's meaning. "Our great College was founded to mold youthful insight ... into tempered thought and action. So the monolith represents the dynamic force of academia and the nascence of the inquisitive mind."
Taking the stage, women's alpine ski team captain Gusty Swift '01 lamented how it sometimes takes a tragedy like the Zantops' deaths for one to pause and reflect how fortunate it is to live in such a closely-knit community.
Other speakers agreed. Sculpture co-organizers Ian Laing '01 and Lisa Salzman '01 dedicated the sculpture to the professors' memory.
A cappella groups -- the Aires and the Decibelles -- performed "Winter Song" and "Dartmouth Undying" before combining to lead the spectators in a rousing version of the alma mater.
