With 624 eggs to hunt and 13 prizes to win, students and localfamilies attended the campus wide Easter egg hunt held in front ofDallas Hall on Tuesday night.

“In the past, all Christian groups on campus have gottento together the week before Easter and planned an event, but thisyear, the event fell through, so VINE came up with the idea of anholding an Easter egg hunt, to bring the campus together,”director JoAnna Hoyt said.

VINE leaders put the event together not only for the SMUcommunity, but for local families and children as well in an effortto promote this weekend’s Easter holiday.

“Our main goal in holding an Easter Egg hunt was to justhave fun and promote a community wide event celebratingEaster,” junior VINE worship leader Amanda Walmsley said.

Students gathered with plastic bags and straw baskets while VINEstudent leaders explained the rules and possible prizes to theeager and ever-growing crowd.

“This is a great way to come out and be a kid again.It’s great to remember what it is like to be young and nothave a care in the world,” VINE service chair Richard Herrerasaid.

In addition to the candy in each of the hidden eggs,participants had the opportunity to win donated gift certificatesfrom local area restaurants, dry cleaners and clothing stores.However, the prize on everyone’s mind was the DVD player thatone lucky participant would take home.

“I couldn’t wait to get to going. I am a reallycompetitive person, and I really wanted to win a prize,”sophomore Blair Benjamin said.

It took participants about five minutes to find all of the eggsand claim their prizes.

“Since this event went so well, we are hoping to make itan annual event,” Walmsley said, “Who knows? It mighteven become a new tradition.”