Thousands of new first-year students paraded into 91ÑÇÉ«'s Harry W. Arthurs Common on Monday night to take part in the University's inaugural Lions' Pride spirit event to kick off Orientation Week 2013. Led by their frosh bosses and wearing their college colours, new students showed the University some love during the spirited Orientation Week opening ceremony.
The Samba Squad, 91ÑÇÉ«'s homegrown drumming group led by award-winning percussionist Rick Shadrach Lazar, thrilled the crowd with its high-energy performance and Latin-inspired rhythms.
ÌýThe 91ÑÇÉ« cheerleading squadÌý then got the crowd ready for the appearance of the Lions men's football team.
Myles Gibbon, the 91ÑÇÉ« Lions men's football team captain, was so overwhelmed by the spirit that he couldn't resist tweeting a picture of the thousands of students. The crowds cheered wildly as 91ÑÇÉ«'s President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, Vice-Provost Students Janet Morrison and 91ÑÇÉ« Federation of Students President Jessica Jessica Thyriar welcomed them to the University.
Then, led by their orientation chairs, the class of 2017 showed how well they had learned the 91ÑÇÉ« cheers with a noisy cheer off. The two-hour event culminated with a first:Ìýthe raising of the Lions' Pride flagÌýagainst a brilliant backdrop of red and white fireworks.
Orientation continues throughout this week with a full schedule of comprehensive academic and social activities. The last major event is the Frosh Football Frenzy game on Saturday in 91ÑÇÉ« Stadium. The 91ÑÇÉ« Lions will take on the Wilfrid Laurier University Goldenhawks in aÌý highly anticipated matchup, with the on the Ontario University Athletics league.
For more on all of 91ÑÇÉ«'s events for first-year students, read the in the Aug. 27 issue of .