Cabrini College welcomed the class of 2017 with a weekend of fun-filled activities for their orientation. Orientation weekend is the first weekend that the freshmen class gets to spend on campus and it’s their first look into what life at Cabrini is like.
Although orientation lasts only a weekend, the entire summer is spent planning and organizing it. Seniors Jenna Lomenzo and Samantha Shea were this years’ Orientation Coordinators. “The process was difficult, but absolutely rewarding,” Shea said. The process consisted of numerous days a week spent in the office of Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL), and countless hours spent making phone calls, organizing the orientation leaders’ training and making sure the freshmen enjoyed themselves once they got here. “My main goal was to give the freshmen class the same amazing transition I had freshmen year,” Shea said.
There were over 60 orientation leaders (OL) who came to campus a week early to train and get prepared for the weekend. “This was my first time being an OL so I went in knowing nothing,” junior orientation leader Shawn Friel said. “But the training really helped. The returners and orientation coordinators had everyone who had experience with orientation do their best to make sure you are prepared for every possibility with your kids.”
The weekend kicked off with all 60+ orientation leaders helping the new students move in. “My favorite part is move in day because I get to meet all the new freshmen,” junior orientation leader Grace Meyer said. “I like being a smiling face for them when I know how nervous they all are coming to a new environment.”
With events like a family picnic, PlayFair, a hypnotist, historical tours of the mansion, and multiple inflatables in the parking lot of East Res, it’d be hard for the new students not to have a good time. “My favorite part was PlayFair because even though the ice breakers were fun, the fair gave me the chance to hang out with the new friends I met and connect with other people,” freshman Diane Derecola said.
PlayFair is a team building experience that has the students participate in multiple activities that are meant to help students bond with on another. “My favorite part would have to be PlayFair,” She said. “Watching everyone make all these connections that will probably last throughout their four years here is a beautiful sight to see.”
If anything, orientation weekend is supposed to get the new students excited about their next four years at Cabrini and help them make the transition on campus. “What I’m looking forward to most this year is keeping the connection with the people I met and also taking chances by pushing myself to do things beyond my comfort zone, like joining clubs and sports,” Derecola said.
The new students seemed eager and excited to be getting their journey started at Cabrini. “I think this orientation was my favorite,” Meyer said. “The freshmen were really interested in getting involved and really seemed like they wanted to meet new people and participate which makes our job more fun!”
First time orientation leader Dan Kelly thought orientation went over perfectly. “Overall I think that it all went perfect without a hitch and will be signing up to do it again next year!”
