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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter.

I decided to come back to college this past July. I lived in the suites and ate in the dining hall. Except I wasn’t taking classes, and there weren’t students on campus. 

Instead of being a full-time student, I became a university employee. I was part of this year’s Summer 2024 Orientation Team. 

And it changed my life. 

I could write several articles about what this experience meant to me, or how it shaped me. I could reminisce on nostalgic summer days or brag about our accomplishments as a team.

But for now, as I start my Junior year, I can’t help but convey gratitude as my primary emotion. I was unsure if my orientation friends and I would be able to sustain the bond of our movie-like summer once the realities of the academic school year started. 

Miraculously, our friendship has only been fortified with time. In this “Ode to O-Team”, I would like to pay tribute to my fellow Orientation Leaders and what makes them special. I hope to, in just a few words each, convey their essence and what makes them exceptional human beings. 

Jez:

Real, raw, rowdy. Jez and I clicked instantly, and I know we’ll be lifetime friends. People like Jez are one in a billion. Jez is the type of person who effortlessly makes you feel loved and valued. 

hayden:

Hayden taught me many things; but most notably, Hayden taught me the importance of being a good listener. Hayden’s patience and kindness made me feel truly understood during O-Team.

Julia:

Julia is like human sunshine. She reminded me to be warm, gentle and uplifting even when we were all chronically tired and stressed. 

Nolan:

To me, Nolan embodies loyalty. He’s the kind of person who will have your back no matter what. Nolan wants others to succeed and flourish. I loved learning my skit lines with Nolan, who would always make me feel confident and supported.

keke:

Keke values those she loves above all else. This is precious to me. Her commitment to her friends, family and university is inspiring. 

aidan:

Aidan has his own sense of humor that quite literally could make me belly laugh at any moment. When I am with Aidan, my stress melts away. He reminds me to laugh and not take life too seriously. 

carter:

The man, myth and legend! Carter showed me that life is all about balance. His wisdom and maturity are unparalleled. He is a natural-born leader. 

mary:

Mary was my calming presence this summer. As someone who is known to be chaotic and emotion-driven, I often looked to Mary. No matter what was happening externally, she was always calm, cool and collected. I really admire Mary for this. 

Tyler:

As Tyler was my Co-Parent Leader, we instantly became close. Tyler is extremely caring and empathetic. Coworkers like Tyler make work, and life, easier and more enjoyable. I loved our parent panel and debriefs together. 

Ben:

Ben is one of the most down-to-earth humans I have ever met. He is authentic in both his words and actions. He is an extraordinary friend and human being. 

gabi:

I had the absolute privilege of being Gabi’s roommate during O-Team. She has an incredible ability to make people laugh and smile at any moment. Gabi is an extremely dedicated and involved individual, yet she still finds time for joy. Gabi was like my personal cheerleader during O-Team, and I will forever be lucky to call her my friend. 

cal:

One of my favorite aspects of Cal is that he is big on the little things. Whether it’s something as simple as grabbing coffee or as elaborate as planning our future internships together, Cal makes even the most seemingly insignificant moments full of laughter, love and compassion. He never fails to brighten my mood.

molly, a.k.a. medge:

This woman deserves every award. She is the most selfless human I have ever met. Medge inspires me to be the best version of myself every day. My heart swells picturing her as a future teacher. She will change lives. An added bonus: she gives the best hugs. 

Katie is a Junior at St. Bonaventure University. She is an executive board member for Her Campus at SBU. Her experience with social media, advertising, and writing allow her to combine her passions and advance her university's chapter of HC. She has been a part of Her Campus since freshman year. It has been her favorite on-campus extracurricular to become involved with. Katie is currently studying Strategic Communication and Marketing. She finds joy in being involved on campus through various organizations including Her Campus and Jandoli Women in Communication. Katie is both an Orientation Leader and a Peer Coach- she loves welcoming new students and helping them transition to college. She is also a full-time student ambassador who enthusiastically leads tours for prospective students. (Request her as your tour guide!) In her free time, you can find Katie reading, hiking, and laughing with her friends. She loves spending time outdoors, especially in the fall. Her kryptonite is iced coffee. Some of her favorite artists include Chris Stapleton, Fleetwood Mac, and Noah Kahan. Her favorite show is New Girl. Katie will eagerly engage in any conversation about her beloved hometown, Buffalo, New York. She will likely attempt to convert you to become a Buffalo Bills fan, and could talk about Josh Allen for hours. Post-grad, Katie hopes to be using her creative talents towards a fulfilling career in the world of advertising.