As finals week settled in at Northeastern University and stress levels rose across campus, one D'Amore-McKim student decided to do something simple: make people smile.
Anthony Casabianca, a fourth-year Business Administration student, invited his neighbor to campus dressed as Santa Claus, handing out candy canes and holiday cheer to students rushing between exams. There was no club sponsorship, no organized event, and no agenda beyond spreading a little joy.
“I've been through a few finals seasons, and I understand how stressful this time can be for students,” Casabianca says. “I love interacting with people and bringing positivity into their lives, so my neighbor, Bud, and I decided to spread some holiday cheer with Santa and candy canes.”
Casabianca is concentrating in accounting and advisory services, with a minor in law and public policy. Raised in Yonkers, New York, in what he describes as a “loud, large, and loving Sicilian-American family,” he has been actively involved at Northeastern through CASE, the Real Estate Club, and the Entrepreneurship Club. Beyond campus, Casabianca has coached soccer with the Soccer Unity Project, tutored with EVKids, and volunteered across the Boston community.
The Santa suit belongs to Bud Larievy, Casabianca's neighbor and close friend, whom he met shortly after moving into his apartment last fall.
“He was an educator, has lived such a diverse and inspiring life, and truly is a positive force in the community,” Casabianca says. “It's awesome to see the concept of lifelong learning being fully lived.”
As Santa made his way across campus, the response was immediate. Students stopped mid-stride, smiled, laughed, and pulled out their phones for photos. But some interactions went deeper than expected.
“What really stuck with me were the students who opened up to Santa in an almost confessional way,” Casabianca says. “They shared what they could do better and asked for encouragement during the stress of finals. It was unexpectedly meaningful.”
Casabianca emphasized that the moment was intentionally informal and independent.
“Bud and I decided to do this on our own,” he says. “It was simply a nice thing to do—we just had to spare a few hours and a lot of candy canes.”
For Casabianca, community is defined by everyday actions rather than grand gestures.
“Community is everything from smiling and saying hello, to helping someone who's fallen, to mentoring youth who need guidance. By sparking conversations and lending a helping hand, you make the world a better place—and you also fill yourself with a sense of responsibility and fulfillment.”
As students navigate high-pressure moments like finals week, Casabianca believes support can start small.
“Simply check in on one another and take time for genuine conversation,” Casabianca says. “In the rush of it all, it's important to slow down and genuinely ask how someone is doing.”
Asked to sum up why he brought Santa to campus, Casabianca didn't hesitate: “To spread happiness during a stressful time.”
His message to fellow Huskies is just as simple: “Carve out some time in your day to do something nice for someone else. Not only will it make their day—it will make your week.”