Orientation '96 successful
by Alison Keach - Newspeak staff
The Freshman class had a great start to their year with a successful New Student Orientation. After the initial shocks of college life, including temporary triples in Daniels, Morgan, and Stoddard, they enthusiastically joined in on their group activities. The Class of 2000 participated in the usual icebreakers and scavenger hunt to get to know as many of their 700 classmates as possible and also introduce them to the WPI community. There were also some new additions to this year's orientation, including a Casino night, intended to introduce new students to Greek life at WPI, and a new egg catapult project. Once the projects got started the true colors and spirit of the new students came out and by presentation night the projects had gone far beyond a basic catapult. After having only two days to complete the project they showed up behind Olin Hall psyched to see their eggs fly. There were three winners in the competition: group 19, group 4, and group 21. Group 19, led by Wendy Pelletier, won for having their egg survive while sending it the furthest and racking up the most points. They showed their excitement by carrying Wendy on their shoulders and chanting her name. Group 21, led by Kevin Doherty, won the all around competition and added a little twist to the standard presentation. The males in the group removed their shirts to reveal SPYDER (Steven Propelled Yolk Dispensing Egg Rifle) written across their chests and then proceeded to sing their own version of "We Will Rock You" which they changed to "We Will Launch You". Other groups showed their originality like Group 13 who showed their spirit by boasting signs and wearing funky costumes. All the groups ended up doing a great job, even if all the eggs didn't go forward! (Sorry, Group 22) But most importantly the Class of 2000 and all the orientation leaders had a great time!
