San Jose City College’s final event of the semester, the Winter Spark Social, took place on Dec. 11. After a week of finals, students wound down by watching dance performances from the Polynesian Club and participating in a white elephant gift exchange.

This is the first event of its kind to be held on campus. Hazel Tran, president of the Associated Student Government, had hoped to have a winter-themed event accessible for all students.

“…Every department does a holiday event for their department, and just that … so I think, ‘Oh, I should do one, we want to do one for students only,’” Tran said.

The social attracted students like 18-year-old biology major Mahlet Abohun, who stopped by for the food and entertainment.

“A friend of mine told me to stop by here, because there’s good food,” Abohun said. “I think it’s really nice to get together after finals because it’s so stressful.”

Priyam Tated, an SJCC alum and 2024-25 ASG president, made a surprise appearance. Though he transferred to UC Davis, he was able to make it to the social to reconnect with old friends.

“My family is still in the Bay, so I finished my finals and I was here anyways,” Tated said. “…Hazel’s been trying to get me [to attend events] and I felt like the time was not matching, and for this event, luckily everything worked out. And I’m like, ‘You know what? It’s probably going to be great nostalgia, so why not be here?’.”