By Maya Rothbard
Last semester, my friend Michelle Jiang '27 asked if I would be interested in taking on a leadership role in the club she currently serves as President, Cornell Minds Matter. For those unfamiliar, Cornell Minds Matter (CMM) is a student-run group dedicated to promoting mental health advocacy on campus and providing spaces for students to decompress, connect and share their experiences in a supportive community. When I accepted the position of Vice President of Member Engagement, I had no idea I was stepping into one of the most genuinely welcoming corners of Cornell. The compassion, creativity and intention behind CMM’s initiatives have not only uplifted countless students but also given me a sense of belonging I hadn’t realized I was missing. I have no hesitation in saying that joining this organization has been one of the most meaningful decisions of my Cornell experience.
As we prepare for the upcoming semester, the e-board members and I have been planning one of CMM’s most beloved traditions: Light Up the Season. This annual event, known across campus for its warmth — both literal and emotional — brings students together during the darkest stretch of the year to celebrate community, reflection and collective care. For many, it marks a moment to pause amid the academic whirlwind, and for us on the e-board, it serves as a reminder of why we do this work in the first place.
CMM’s planning was remarkable. We emailed countless professors, put posters, and told our friends to join us at this event. With over 800+ people registered through CampusGroups, we knew that this event would be a success.
We advertised Light Up The Season by having our first 100 guests be rewarded with a Cornell scarf. We also handed out free polar bear stuffed animals, and, of course, plenty of free food throughout the night. These small tokens weren’t just incentives: they were gestures meant to remind students that they deserve care, softness and joy, even during demanding weeks.
As someone experiencing the event from behind the scenes for the first time, I felt a kind of anticipation I hadn’t experienced with any other campus initiative. For me, watching the venue transform from being a plain, empty space to a bustling hub of laughter, music and community made all the hours of planning feel worthwhile. Now, I want to share what that experience was like, not just as an organizer, but as someone who witnessed the very best of what the Cornell community can be.
As students began trickling in, wrapped tightly in winter layers and forming a line that stretched across Ho Plaza for their scarves, I felt an unexpected swell of pride. I thought to myself, “Wow, it feels nice when I am a part of a club that has this much of a positive impact for Cornellians!” Within minutes, the trickle became a stream. Lines for activities became longer than we expected, music mingled with the hum of conversation and students huddled under soft lights as they wrote affirmations for themselves and others. Every corner of the room seemed to glow, just like the lights on Ho Plaza were about to glow as soon as the McGraw Tower had struck 6 p.m.
Behind the tables, the e-board and I exchanged looks of quiet disbelief. We had hoped for a strong turnout, but we hadn’t anticipated this: students choosing to stay, choosing to rest, choosing to be present. At that moment, the purpose of CMM felt more tangible than ever, and this was even before the lights were officially turned on. This was what mental health advocacy looked like in practice: not just workshops or statements, but the creation of spaces where students could exhale and (literally) see light within darkness.
Jiang shared her feelings about the event with me. She explained that “Light Up the Season was such a special event for us. It started as our previous president’s vision to create a campus environment that actively supports students dealing with seasonal depression, and seeing that idea come to life has been incredible. We were so happy to bring it back for a second year, and I really hope these lights continue to bring brightness and joy to students’ days during the colder months. So many people have already reached out to tell us how much the lights genuinely help, and it’s amazing to see our club make a real, positive impact on campus.”
She continued, “This initiative means a lot to our members. We spent months working with campus stakeholders, thinking through fire and tree safety, evaluating vendors and collaborating closely with Student & Campus Life to make sure everything was done thoughtfully. Seeing the event come together, and draw way more people than we ever expected, made all that behind-the-scenes work feel worth it for us.”
I completely agree with Michelle’s statement. By the end of the night, the room was still full. Even as we began cleaning up, students approached us to say thank you, to ask how they could get involved or simply to share how much the event meant to them.
Stepping into this role at Cornell Minds Matter has shown me the power of collective warmth in a place that can often feel isolating. I’m grateful to be part of something that continues to challenge the narrative that Cornell’s rigor must come at the expense of its humanity. If this semester taught me anything, it’s that when we intentionally make room for connection, students show up.
As my e-board and I lit up Ho Plaza at 6 p.m. the moment felt like a testament to the power of working alongside people who genuinely care. The warm lights instantly transported me back to my hometown, New York City, where trees twinkle against winter sunsets that fade well before 6 p.m.
As my e-board members and I arranged tables, put on our glowing headbands and passed out flyers, their smiles reminded me just how much invisible effort supports moments of genuine community care. Hours of planning, dozens of conversations and an infinite amount of small decisions finally came together for a night meant to make others feel joy. There’s a particular kind of gratitude that comes from witnessing that hard work transform into something beautiful.
I walked out of that event feeling proud (and lighter) than I had in months. And that, to me, is exactly what it means to light up the season.
Maya Rothbard is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at msr295@cornell.edu.
