Until yesterday morning, students described the snow sculpture -- which served as the backdrop for Winter Carnival's Opening Ceremonies -- as anything from a boat to a dragon. However, by the time yesterday's Ceremonies rolled around, the sculpture was much more than a heap of snow.
Sculpture co-chair Anne Cloudman '02, addressing the approximately 500 students gathered last night at the center of the Green for Opening Ceremonies, said the figure on top of the ski jump was originally intended to be a skiier. But she said the previous night, a "mysterious man from Norwich" created a being that evolved from something that resembled a keg to a "pregnant dragon" to a devil-like figure.
This high-tech snow sculpture proved itself a hit when the undefined personage perched at its peak launched itself down the jump and plopped in the snow at its base on cue.
In contrast to last year's Opening Ceremonies, when 600 enraged Greek supporters marched from Webster Avenue to the base of the melting dog sculpture, protesting the recently announced Trustee Initiative, this year was marked by a jovial air of tradition.
Calling the Carnival a "special tradition of a special place," College President James Wright followed an introduction by Carnival co-chair Ben Moor '00, congratulating the committee co-chairs, Moor, Andy Louis '00 and Amish Parashar '03 and sculpture co-chairs James Lederer '02 and Anne Cloudman '02 for doing a great job.
In an attempt to revive an old tradition, this year's Carnival committee also provided fraternity houses with snow to build sculptures and held a competition between them. Chi Gamma Epsilon was awarded the first prize for its replica of Baker Tower.
Although the event did not focus on the Initiative, some student speakers made references to the controversial announcement last February and the importance of maintaining Dartmouth's long-standing traditions.
Expressing hope that the Initiative will make Dartmouth a better place, Captain of the Nordic Ski Team, Stephen Donahue '99 reminded the Trustees and Wright "that as we change we must retain the spirit of what has made Dartmouh the place people have loved since its foundation."
Making references to the Initiative controversy, Carnival Committee co-chair Ben Moor '00 jokingly said that this year's theme, "Lest the Cold Traditons Fail" was chosen to "capitalize on the political environment."
The Ceremony also featured performances by two acapella groups -- the Aires and the Rockapellas -- both singing wintery tunes.
