Student Life: Warm weather fun for UL’s Sneaux Day

Megan Wyatt, Daily Advertiser, Dec. 5, 2013

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Students, faculty and staff at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and their families enjoyed a warm, snowy adventure Wednesday.

UL’s fifth annual Sneaux Day transformed the circle in front of Martin Hall into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice-skating rink and snow-filled square.

After a snow-and-ice adventure in the balmy 80-degree weather, children and adults treated themselves to jambalaya and hot cocoa before visiting with Santa Claus.

“It’s just a good thing the university is doing for the kids,” said Yolanda Charles, a junior biology major at UL. “Those who might not have had the opportunity to see snow have the chance to see it.”

Charles’ twin daughters were among those children who had never seen snow until Wednesday.

“Cold, cold,” Jakyria, 6, said of the snow.

“So hard,” her twin sister, Ar’tora, chimed in.

The fun began at 4 p.m. for children and 6 for students.

“It’s just a nice family event for staff to be able to bring their kids out and enjoy the holidays with fellow staff members,” said Camille Perry, UL’s assistant director of operational review.

Perry’s daughter, C.C., 5, has attended the event three times. She even missed her dance lesson Wednesday for the opportunity for some frozen fun.

“I like the ice skating,” C.C. said. “It’s slippery.”

Philip Auter, a professor in the Department of Communication and graduate department coordinator, brought his wife and their four children to the event Wednesday.

Although his children have never seen real snow before, Auter is from Michigan and is no stranger to the real stuff.

“I like the snow and ice,” Auter said. “That’s not something you see here too much.”

His 12-year-old son Aaron kept busy with snowball fights all afternoon long.

“It’s fun to pelt the younger children with the snow,” Aaron said, laughing before adding, “especially my little sister.”