STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 28
Carol Antony , Kerala , India
Cierra Carney , Pawnee , Oklahoma
Roots and Rituals
MULTICULTURAL STUDENTS SHARE HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
In the bustling , multicultural environment of Oklahoma State University , four students bring unique traditions from home that connect them to their roots even from thousands of miles away . Carol from Kerala , India ; Reina from Shanxi , China ; Janice from Tulsa , Oklahoma , with Mexican and Costa Rican heritage ; and Cierra from Pawnee , with Native American roots — each offers a glimpse into their personal traditions and the cultural values they carry with them . As they share their stories , a common thread of resilience , family connection , and community emerges , reminding us of the rich diversity that shapes our shared experiences .
Carol : Kerala , India
Carol Antony , a 24-year-old graduate student , grew up in Kerala , India , where the joyful anticipation of Christmas fills entire towns . While Christmas is celebrated worldwide , the traditions in Kerala hold a unique charm for Antony . As a devout Catholic , she reminisces about the excitement of creating a “ crib ” — a nativity scene her family sets up each year to
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 28