Fireworks, pineapple whip and hardcore games are some of the most memorable experiences of orientation weekend. Heartfelt goodbyes after setting up the dorm room, falling asleep in a new place with a stranger a few feet away, and relying on cafeteria food for breakfast can be a difficult adjustment. Orientation Leaders are there to help make the transition from home to college life smoother. Even if life doesn’t have guides to help navigate the waters, Drury does for the overwhelming ocean known as freshman year.

Senior Jessi Cook has been an O-Leader for three years in a row after being encouraged to apply her sophomore year by Jennifer Stewart, the head of orientation.

“This past orientation was my third and final time being an Orientation Leader, and I can say the past three years I have gotten something different out of it every time,” she said. “Most importantly, I think I have gotten new connections. I know that sounds weird, but as an Orientation Leader you meet all the freshmen and also other Orientation Leaders that you might not have ever met before.”

Being an O-Leader gives the opportunity for seasoned students to help shape the new ones’ experiences both during orientation weekend and throughout their time at Drury.

“I think the most important thing I have done differently through the years is realizing my mentoring doesn’t have to stop when classes start. I still want to be my O-Babies’ friend and make sure they are doing amazing things, while making Drury home,” Cook said.

She became an Orientation Leader to give the incoming students a better experience than she had.

“To be honest, my orientation experience was not the best. I only had a couple friends in my CORE class, and the class as a whole did not blend well. I wanted to change that. It was too late to change my class, but I knew being an Orientation Leader I could change another incoming freshman’s experience and show them why Drury is home,” she explained.

For Cook, the best part of orientation weekend is Freshman First Day, when all the newbies arrive at their home away from home.

“I love the feeling when campus has been dead all summer and all of a sudden have a rush of so many new faces. Campus just comes back to life in a way that is hard to explain,” she said.

Jessi Cook’s orientation group bond over sundaes and concretes at Andy’s Frozen Custard after bowling.

Strawberries and bananas on top of a smooth, cool mountain of vanilla custard or ribbons of hot fudge and Oreos swirled through a clear cup of custard is the best introduction to Springfield.

“I think my favorite memory was my last orientation when we decided to go to Andy’s after bowling. It was spontaneous, but probably the best part of the whole weekend. I saw my class click just have fun eating ice cream!” Cook said.

Being an Orientation Leader changed Cook’s Drury experience as well as her O-Babies experiences.

“Being an O-leader has helped me with so much at Drury. It has given me new friends, helped with my leadership skills, and even helped me be less awkward when interacting with new people,” she said.

After three years and countless memories, she recommends applying to become an O-Leader.

“D-U it! You might be nervous for an interview and just the thought of leading new freshmen, but I promise it will be alright. If you be yourself in both situations, you will be amazing,” she advised.

After applying and being chosen, expect to attend training.

“After you are accepted to be an O-Leader there is some training you go to. A lot of the training, though, is group bonding with your O-Leaders in your class along with the rest of the group,” Cook said. “You also have lunch with your CORE professor and the other Orientation Leaders in the group you have been assigned to. Then, a couple days before orientation, you have one more day of training and fun before move-in day.”

To apply to become an Orientation Leader, go to the link, http://www.drury.edu/orientation-leader-application. Submit the application before the deadline on Feb. 1. Applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. An information session will take place on Jan. 28 from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. in FSC 204 to help interested students decide if they would like to become an Orientation Leaders next August.

Article written by Kelli Volonte.