SOPHOMORE JOEl SElBY CHECKS his mai lbox Feb. 24. Many students checked theirboxes dally with hopes offindi ng aye llow ticket - a slip Indicating a package awaited the recipient. -A. INGRAM ( a 1.l t ( rea t eSt exci em en Students hope as they enter box combinations Every day, whether it was sunny, pouring rain or numbingly cold, students trudged faithfully to the back comer of the student center. With anticipation and hope, they carefully turned the diat each number bringing them closer and closer to potential bliss. Students pulled open the tiny metal door and were too often greeted by yet another empty mailbox. For many students, checking campus mail was a daily routine. "Getting mail is an integral part of the Harding experience," junior Matt Alexander said. "When I don't get mail, I feel like weeping." Freshman Katie Ulliman said her mailbox was always full but not usually in the way she wanted. "I don't usually get mail, just an empty mailbox full of'airmail,'" she said. To combat the gloom that often came with not getting mail, some students created solutions by leaving old mail or their own papers in the box, so there was always something in the box when they opened it next. According to some, the content of the mail was not as important as just having something there when opening the mailbox. "My friends and I went onlline and signed up for a bunch of free newsletters," junior Julie McLain said. "Now we get some random catalog every few days." Junior Andrew Dorsey said he made a more costly investment to ensure his box would be full. "I buy stuff on eBay just so I won't have to look at an empty mailbox," he said. Some students said they were the victims of practical jokes sent through the mail, including half-eaten fruit or notes from fictitious admirers. "My friends sent me some candy, but the note attached said it was from the HU squirrels," freshman Deborah Bergsma said. Many srudents said they were most excited when they opened their mailboxes and found a yellow slip, indicating a package awaited them. "When I don't get mail for like a week and then I get a yellow sheet, it makes my heart pound and I jump for joy," freshman Laura Durfee said. Freshman Liz Pippin said getting a yellow slip was almost enough to make her sing. "I always think of Willy Wonka when 1 get a yellow slip," Pippin said. "They sing the song, 'I have a golden ticket; I've got a golden twinkle in my eye,' and that is exactly how 1feeL" -LAURA KAISER 47 - SENIORS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==