The Holiday Season is upon us, but why the large number of celebrations at this time of year? Much of the answer lies in Astronomy and the Winter Solstice. 

Deidre Mingey, Middle School Assistant Director for Student Life, led a Middle School Assembly on this topic along with Middle and High School Science teacher Malcolm Fenton. Malcolm presented the impact of the Winter Solstice, explaining that we are not colder in winter because we are farther from the sun but rather because the Northern Hemisphere is tilted to its maximum extent away from the sun around December 21. As a result, daylight hours are shorter and the sunlight that we receive is more slanted and less intense. The Winter Solstice was vital because it represents the time when the sun starts to 'return', and the future looks bright again. Our many and various celebrations around the Solstice all tend to strongly feature light, warmth, and food.