Bright and Early!

The eager attitude of the 2016 class was evident before Orientation had even begun. You could tell that they were nervous to begin their new journey but excited as well. The response we received to the “Meet and Greet” event we held at Shakespeare’s was awesome – tons of people were there willing to meet new people (some even sang karaoke!). Then, bright and early on Monday morning, those same eager faces were there to meet us even before registration began. We had to tell some of the students to come back in 15 minutes because we were not ready to receive them. Throughout the entire orientation process they seemed very receptive and ready to take in whatever information was thrown at them. They loved hearing any advice that we (the Orientation Chairs) or their group mentors had to give them, hoping to soak up all the knowledge they could.

Then came the mascot vote…

Even before that dreaded Wednesday morning, mascot ideas and drawings had been all over Facebook and it seemed like they had their mascot already picked before vet school had even started. When we showed up to what we thought was going to be a relatively easy process (much like ours the year before), boy, were we wrong! It took five of us to control the energy in the room. Between three orientation chairs and our class co-presidents, we gave instruction after instruction (most falling on deaf ears), counted many, MANY votes, and even had to resort to the “heads down on the desk” routine that many kindergarten teachers have used for generations. After all was said and done and the dust had settled, they came out the Cobalt Caracals! A mascot that will bring their class great pride, and will now be the brunt of many jokes, much like the Stag was a year ago. I’m sure the upper years have already begun thinking of ways to tease the new class at hockey games and during class challenges.

Team building exercises made for a particularly hilarious Wednesday afternoon. The 2016 class loved playing telephone charades and “satellites” and were eager to be silly, acting out stories chosen by some of their phase one professors who agreed to help out with orientation activities.

The 2016 class seemed very enthusiastic about hockey, and that was evident with the huge turnout at the “Hockey Game Social” on Thursday. The new class came out in strong numbers, sporting their new class colour, to see the Scarlet Stags and Emerald Elephants play to an exciting 4-4 tie. There was constant cheering throughout the game and tons of support shown for both teams. After the game, everyone was invited to go upstairs to Gryph’s sports lounge where many ‘Caracals’ expressed interest in lacing on skates and giving hockey a try- even if they had never played before.

If the first week is any indication of their time at the Ontario Veterinary College, I’m sure there will be some fun years ahead with the Cobalt Caracals as colleagues!

Welcome again to you all!

Christian, Kelly, and Kyle

Orientation Chairs, Class of 2015

(Pictures courtesy of Dana Lemoine)