APASA Intern Holiday Party
By Interns Joseph Green and Ananya Polsani
On Monday, December 1, 2025, the APASA Intern class of 2025-26 hosted the annual APASA Intern Holiday Party. Speaking as two of the three emcees who hosted this party, you best believe it was an utterly glorious holiday experience that will stand to be one of the greatest holiday parties USC has ever seen. The central activity of this year’s holiday party was easily the most competitive, visceral, and heart-pounding activity anybody could think of doing during the holiday season: gingerbread house-making. Split between six different teams composed of various member org reps and APASA E-Board members, this holiday competition was a thrilling and exciting backdrop for what was ultimately a beautiful holiday party, which not only encapsulated the beauty of APASA but also all of our APIDA-identifying orgs at large.
Even before the actual party could start, the holiday spirit amongst the interns was completely off the charts as we prepared for this party to come to fruition. Colorful holiday streamers were thrown across every light hanging from the ceiling, holiday music blasted from Joseph’s JBL at full volume, and to top it all off, our very own Kathy Chan designed a series of holiday stars with each individual Intern and E-Board member’s face etched onto the front—an incredible artistic accomplishment that decorated the walls of TCC 350 like a whirlwind of snowflakes.
As our wonderful Member Org reps began to trickle in leading up to 6 pm, the party kicked off with arguably the most festive holiday activity of all time: John Park delivering Night Market updates to the member orgs. But of course, once the updates concluded, the real party could finally begin. Each team was tasked with designing the best gingerbread house they possibly could, with an enticing prize for the winner: the ability to pie an E-Boarder or Intern of their choice.
From the moment teams were announced, something shifted in the room. Smiles tightened, sleeves were rolled up, and marshmallow bags were gripped with true purpose. Everyone had the same objective: build the greatest gingerbread house this university had ever witnessed. The execution, however, was unique, to say the least.
Some teams approached the challenge like seasoned veterans, carefully piping, discussing structural integrity and debating the frosting-to-graham-cracker ratios like it was a thesis defence that could alter the course of their career. Other teams embraced a more… abstract interpretation of the “house”; the roofs were tilted at daring angles, and walls existed as more of a suggestion. Was it a house? Was it a reflection of something deeper? We may never know. But the effort? Unmatched. The confidence? Inspactical.
Within minutes, the room no longer looked like TCC 350; it was more like the aftermath of a sugar-based natural disaster, with sprinkles embedded in the sleeves. Marshmallow fluff appeared in places no one remembers ever putting it. At one point, we’re fairly certain someone tried to use Skittles as structural reinforcement.
The winning team presented a gingerbread masterpiece that night. A “perfectly” constructed home adorned with skittles and rainbow candy arranged with a level of precision an architect couldn’t even have executed. The roof held. But the best, and our favourite part, was the rainbow slide leading to a pool of marshmallow fluff in the front yard, making it luxury real estate. When votes were tallied, and the champions declared the prize loomed large, the opportunity to pie an Intern or E-Board member of their choosing. After thoughtful deliberation (which looked a lot like immediate consensus), the team selected our beloved John Park. John, ever the good sport and Night market visionary, stepped forward with the quiet bravery of someone who knew this was coming and accepted his fate anyway. The pie landed with authority, and marshmallow fluff flew. Everywhere.
The room erupted, and the cameras flashed, the holiday music swelled, and just like that, the APASA Intern Holiday Party concluded with John Park wearing a limited edition marshmallow fluff facial treatment.
It was messy, it was competitive, and without question, it was the most gloriously chaotic holiday party USC has ever seen.