As an avid enjoyer of Thanksgiving food, I was overjoyed at the prospect of Pacegiving. A night celebrating the honors community and food- what a beautiful thing. Setting up for the event was fun in its own right. I was particularly enamored by this one owl decoration. From set up to the meal itself, the culture of the Honors College can really be felt in events such as this one. Collectivity and community is something I’ve really felt since coming to Pace, and tonight was a prime example of that. When you walk in the whole space is buzzing; students and staff members alike enjoy each other’s company. Community is so crucial when it comes to the college environment. I got to see many of my current classmates, and even my former RA. Many students are far from home and may not be able to journey there for the holiday. Pacegiving feels like a family affair of sorts and gives us the opportunity to still feel the warmth and togetherness that comes along with the season.
The line for food was out the door in the beginning, perhaps people were craving a home-cooked style meal, I know I was. A personal favorite of mine was the stuffing, which my roommate lovingly renamed “bread salad.” The pie was also a hit; but admittedly I was jealous of those who were able to get pumpkin. Alas, I ate my slice of cherry with a smile on my face. I wasn’t the only one, looking around you can see just how much everyone was enjoying the event.
Moving to college can be a rough adjustment, and it can feel especially hard during the holiday season. Events like Pacegiving give us a reminder that just because things are different now, it doesn’t inherently make them worse. When I asked Honors college student Isabella Salicetti (‘27) her big takeaway from the night, she told me “good time with good friends”—I couldn’t have said it better myself. College itself can feel so overwhelming at times, especially when you happen to be going to school in the middle of New York City. Gatherings like Pacegiving give us all a moment to breathe and appreciate our wonderful community.