On Thursday, April 25, students gathered on the Smith College Quadrangle for the 34th Annual Celebrations.
The event began in 1991 as a candlelight vigil in response to an uptick in homophobic and transphobic graffiti and sentiment on campus. Over the years, it has evolved into a celebration of queer love and acceptance.
In a night filled with acapella, dancing and three different renditions of “Gimme More” by Britney Spears, Smith College celebrated gay pride Thursday night at Celebrations.
The ’Big Chop’. The ‘Buzz’. The ‘Young Leo’. The “I’m so tired of my wet hair freezing to my head in the dead of winter.” Whatever the motivation or inspiration, the ‘Smith chop’ — when Smithies dramatically change their hair sometime after enrolling — is a phenomenon that rests near and dear to the hearts of several generations of Smithies. Its possible origins are as fascinating and numerous as the reasons people get it. Even if it’s not listed in the glossy brochures next to Mountain Day, the chop serves as a memorable event for many who pass through our ivy-laced campus.
