As an incoming freshman, I asked plenty of people what college life was going to be like. None of their replies could have prepared me for the Freshmen Welcome Week.

The excitement that exuded from the O-Team leaders was insane. The class of 2018 was welcomed in a very unusual fashion. Leaders ran up to the stage and performed a dance/comic routine for the students to show off their personalities. The excitement kept coming as the week rolled on. As the students grew closer to the people in their small groups, they continued to learn more about the unity at Siena Heights in the activities throughout the week.

The Mad Dash to Walmart was a complete success. The students danced their way to prizes, and played various games including a Nerf gun fight between aisles. Later in the week, the students had delicious dinners at different faculty and staff member’s houses, where they discussed the summer reading book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind over home cooked meals. One major hit of the week was the ThinkFast Game show, where students showed off their knowledge in various categories to win prizes. The questions covered topics all over — from Adam Lambert, to where the Liberty Bell resides.

Most students said the best part of the week was the day trip to Camp Michindoh. Students swam in the lake, climbed rock walls, played basketball, and even participated in archery. The class also attended a Mudhens game in Toledo, Ohio. Even though the team lost, the atmosphere was thriving. The fireworks at the end of the game were the perfect ending to a great day.  On Sunday, the new saints had time set aside to find the best route to their classes with their peer mentors.

The closing ceremonies were a great way to end the week. Students heard Tim Berta, who suffered severe injuries from the Bluffton University bus accident of 2007, speak about the challenges he has overcome, and gave inspiration to the freshmen. Welcome Week prepared us for a great year, and left us full of excitement for what will come.