Rolando Morales
Assistant Editor
Chilly winds were blowing Dec. 2 as 500-plus students and guests laughed, chatted and ate at the 10th annual Lights of Esperanza event at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. The vibe was lively and cozy, and attendees were getting into the Christmas spirit, with festive music throughout.
As the university celebrated a decade of Lights of Esperanza, an alumnus who graduated 10 years ago returned to campus to bring his children to the event.
Alvaro Ramirez, who earned an education degree in 2015, taught at a middle school for 10 years and now teaches at a high school.
“This is my second year coming to the event,” Ramirez said. “I would like to make it a family tradition. We didn’t come last year because I didn’t know when it was, but I saw the banner there at Military and Pleasanton, and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I remember this event.’ It was nice last time, so I wanted to come back and bring my kids.”
Ramirez, who planned to try a hot dog later, said they had just arrived and were heading to the main part of the festivities.
He said the event has changed a lot since its inception. He recalled that when the university first held Lights of Esperanza, only some of the trees were lighted in front of the Central Academic Building. There was music, but there weren’t any vendors and rides. He said the event is a lot bigger than it was before.
Christmas songs were playing, such as “Underneath the Tree,” two different versions of “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Merry Christmas Everyone.” They had spotlights set up on the Central Academic Building Courtyard. There were also people cheering to the music.
On the East Lawn there were people eating, there was a blue Santa and the Grinch walking around and posing for pictures.
George Jaureguy, owner of GJ’s Chicken on a Stick, said his business has been part of the university’s spring event, Festival de Cascarones, for 13 years.
“That’s how we got involved with the Lights of Esperanza,” Jaureguy said. “They were pleased with our service, our customer service, so they continue to ask us to come out. It’s such a great event. Both of them are great events. “We stay reasonable in prices, a price people can afford.”
Students and guests paid $8 for the chicken on a stick, which came with a Hawaiian roll. They could also add a jalapeño free of charge.
Jaureguy says the idea originated when he and his wife asked themselves which food would be easy for people to walk around with and wouldn’t require a table to sit at.
According to Jaureguy, 400 servings of chicken on a stick were sold in two hours. This came out to a total of $3,200. Everything sold out.
Arazelli Rangel, a psychology freshman, came to the event to have fun and wanted to see what it was. Also, she wanted to have her dog, Nala, there.
It was Rangel’s first time at Lights of Esperanza.
“Yeah, I haven’t been here, but it’s pretty cool so far. I’ve seen a lot of friends throughout the semester here,” Rangel said. So far, she had only walked around, went to the little markets at the East Lawn and bought a Santa hat.
Everything at the event was expensive, according to Rangel. She said some food or candies cost $12. The cheapest thing she bought was a Frito pie for $3. It was the best thing she had so far and she recommended it.
Rangel said she will return to the event next year and make it a tradition, since it’s free.
“Right now, we’ve just been walking around, going to the events, getting food,” Vega said.
So far, he had sampled nachos with cheese and some candy.
It was also Vega’s first time at the event, and he planned to come back next year. He suggested that the prices be lowered a bit and maybe add more decorations.
“I attended because I thought it would be cool to come with my friends and share a beautiful moment with them,” Vega said.
