SEPTEMBER, 22, 2006

THE CADRE @ 9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

New Student Orientation, Takes the Beach, Campus and Charlottetown by Storm

Virginia MacMurdo Contributor

First year students taking part in New Student Orientation this year report- edly “had a blast.” This is not to say that every student felt that same way about NSO, but at the end of the week theif smniling faces said it all during the impressive slideshow that took place at the Awards Banquet. These pho- tos portrayed students taking part in all sorts of fun events, including sev- eral new additions such as the Sub- way Beach Blast Obstacle course, the tug-a-war competition, 4 Skit’s Sake, a new take on Casino Night, and of course who can forget the slip and slide during our Treasure Hunt.

These smiling faces were proof enough that this years NSO was a great success. The photos are filled with students grappling the obstacle course and at great speed, diving their faces into disgusting goodies at Fear Factor, doing interviews at K-Rock during Shinerama day, and cheering their hearts out at the Duffy Kick-off. Loud cheering was heard from all over campus Charlottetown, it’s no wonder why plenty of voices were gone after only three days of the event. Even the drastic rainy we had during some of the events did not dampen these young people’s heart, as their spirit and dedi- cation was one full force during both the Treasure Hunt and Shine-day.

The goal of NSO is to make every student feel completely welcome and this year we did that in Pirate style, that being the theme of course. Team Captains were decked out in Pirate Garb and intertwined team cheers with the theme. Pirate spirit coins were given at every event, this idea was in- troduced to promote Casino night. The only way you could gamble big was if you participated in all the events. Prizes like a TV set, 2 IPOD Nanos and a mini fridge were given out, which were of course donated by the good people and _ businesses of Charlottetown.

Big thanks must go out to the UPEI campus as a whole. Student Union, Student Services, Radio UPEI, the Alumni Association, the AVC, the Registrar office, the Accounting office and the Wellness Centre were all large contributors to this education rich and

and downtown

First year students and NSO leaders gather for a group photo on the beach.

fun event. Without the high-energy and thoughtfulness towards these new coming students this event would not be possible; it is by our example that these students can thrive. Thank you.

Most of all a big thank you goes out to the First Year students for par- ticipating in this event. It is evident from the energy that you brought to UPEI that the institution will thrive as you students strive for excellence. It is our pleasure to welcome you as students and watch you grow and morph into the fine adults we know you will become while attending UPEI. If you met one other student during NSO Week than NSO has clearly done it’s job. I have been fortunate to say hi to all of you in the hallways and see many faces who are accompanied by other people who participated in NSO. Congratulations, I hope that NSO has done for you what it did for me years ago.

However, this is not the end of NSO for this year. Your Team Cap- tains have taken it upon themselves to volunteer for other events that we hope you will participate in during the year. One big event will occur every month for only first year students and our first event is coming up fast. Our first event will take place in the MacMillan Hall Courtyard in the Stu-

dent Centre on Sept. 28th and 29th . The event is a servant auction. Your Team Captains will be auctioning themselves off to you. So gather your friends together and bid on your lead- ers. Maybe this is an event that the Pink Panthers team will not win. So come on out and take advantage of having one of your leaders be your servant for the day. You can get them to help you with your homework, make them dress funny, take them out to dinner or just be plain goof balls. All proceeds for this event will got towards raising out Shinerama total. Remember bidding starts on Sept. 28th, so get out those wallets and bid on your leaders to have them be your servant for a full 24 hours on the 29th. Stay tuned for other NSO events that will be taking place during the year.

As a final note congratulations to the UPEI campus for gaining such a committed group of new students. And welcome and congratulations to all new students, good luck with your classes and from myself and your Team Captains we hope to see you soon.

If you would like to be a part of next years NSO as a leader please do not hesitate to contact me via email at nso@upei.ca.

Your Master Captain Cannon Ball Splash

(AKA Virginia MacMurdo)

Members of the blue and silver teams raise a cheer

Oo

Photo Courtesy NS