“Are you going to the CHI Burning tonight?” Could be heard in countless conversations around campus this Wednesday as students anxiously prepared for the revealing of CHI 2014.
By 9:00 P.M. Iler was dotted with students huddled on blankets and eagerly waiting for the CHI Burning to begin. Only fifteen minutes later, the crowd had grown exponentially and was abuzz with enthusiastic chatter in anticipation for what was about to happen in a mere forty-five minutes.
At 10 p.m. sharp, an immediate hush fell over the crowd of what seemed like a thousand or more students. And after what seemed like ages of waiting, torches could be seen in the distance, as specially selected seniors carried in the fire for the CHI burning. Senior members gradually filed in behind them, unmasked and singing the well-known spirit of CHI song.
Many exclamations of “Oh my gosh, I knew it!” could be heard amidst the whispers of the crowd as the senior members of Chi took their place in front of the fire. Together CHI’s members spoke of the importance of this treasured Longwood tradition and reminded the audience that CHI is not an individual person, but rather “an ideal, always reached for, but never attained.”
Applause rang out as one by one, students, professors and Longwood staff members alike were then honored for their contributions to their organizations, academics and the overall bettering of the Longwood community.
After all of the names were announced and people were honored, Iler field grew completely quiet for a moment of silence, dedicated to everyone that has passed away in the past year.
CHI’s senior members then placed their white, rotunda emblazoned aprons on their right arms as they walked around the fire singing one last time before the ceremonial burning. On the last word of their song, they stopped, walked towards the fire, wadded up their aprons and threw them in. Members of the crowd watched in awe as they quickly melted into the flames.
One last time, the senior members of CHI faced the crowd and firmly reminded them that the spirit of CHI is not just the individuals robed in blue, but rather in the hearts of every student and faculty member.
