Where Does the Purple Road Lead?

This past week I was allowed the pleasure of being an orientation leader for one of the largest freshmen classes Converse has had in a number of years. Our orientation theme was "Where Does the Purple Road Lead?" And throughout the 5 to 6 days of orientation we wanted to push the freshmen out of their comfort zones to find where their personal college road will lead them. This question is not one that can be answered completely during orientation. I am still asking myself that and I am sure there are plenty of seniors asking themselves that question. Being an orientation leader was an amazing and exhausting job. We had a long week of training and then three days of heavy lifting while assisting move-in. We had early mornings and late nights all while trying to make this transition a little easier. For some freshmen, I saw they made friends very easily and were excited about the new found freedom they possessed. Others were a little more apprehensive about being away from home. These and all other emotions are completely normal. I met athletes, biology majors, interior design majors, fellow music majors, and colleges most popular--undecided! All of these ladies shared the same wide-eyed curiousness that I remember the Class of 2015 sharing just two years ago. And besides bonding with my Lil Sis class I also received the chance to bond with members from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. I mean how can you not bond over carrying a loft to the fifth floor?

During orientation I spent a large amount of time with eighteen ladies in particular. A fellow orientation leader, Maria, and our small group of 17 discussed everything from what to expect with classes and the traditions and events on campus to acting out Princess and the Frog or a schizophrenic person during charades. These 18 ladies, including Maria, even though rather quiet as a whole had a very large influence on me. Watching them I realized how far I had come on my own personal purple road. I was the quiet girl who never raised her hand or volunteered to participate, but now because of Converse I am someone who would take risks and ask questions. I want to be their cheerleader, their shoulder to cry on, and their protector. I want to see them become SGA presidents, star athletes, a leading lady in a play, and anything else they could imagine. I hope that I get the chance to stay in contact with these lovely ladies so that I may see how they grow and watch who they become. I will forever be their sister's keeper. Thank you Sarah Kate and Caroline Wham for giving me this opportunity.