I am not normally one for writing or reading "open letter" style articles.

Every time I have sat down to write one, I end up scrapping the idea completely before I even begin because it feels so disingenuous. I do not want to be too vague or too invasive and it is sometimes hard to find the balance between the two. However, after completing my second year as an orientation leader at Arcadia University, there are quite a few people that I would like to publicly acknowledge and appreciate for all of their hard work over the past few months.

To the professional staff of OPEC (Orientation Planning Executive Committee),

Thank you for constantly being so level-headed and supportive. Working with college students is definitely not the easiest job in the world but somehow you manage to deal with all of our shenanigans with a sense of humor and empathy. I sincerely hope that your job is as enjoyable for you as you make it for all of us.

Your genuine care and concern for the well-being of all students, whether they be OL's or incoming first years, is appreciated and I hope that it never goes unnoticed. You are loyal to the success of Arcadia's NSO (New Student Orientation) but are also incredibly mindful of the different walks of life that students come from. You are the reason that NSO is so welcoming and respectful because you have set a precedent of civility and acceptance.

Thank you for all that you do.

To the students of OPEC (or StuPEC),

There are not words to describe the admiration I have for your resilience throughout the year. Your application and interview process begins as early as September and you start planning for the next year's NSO before the current fall semester has even finished. You conduct individual and group interviews when hiring OL's as soon as winter break ends and commence training sessions as early as February, often introducing new ice breakers and helping us come up with the all important "fun facts" about ourselves.

During May training, when we all go on a camping retreat, you fearlessly lead your pods despite personal fatigue or injury. You, like the professional staff, create a brave space for all of the orientation leaders, helping us overcome personal obstacles whether that be speaking in front of large crowds or climbing a rock wall. Throughout these long training days you are always sure to check in on the OL's to see how we're holding up. You keep up the morale of the entire NSO team and for that I will always be grateful.

To my fellow Orientation Leaders and Resident Assistants (RA's),

Thank you for your constant supply of positive energy. One of my favorite bonding activities that we do is designing each other's clipboards secret-santa style and then revealing them to the group on the first day of Fall training before the new students arrive on campus. This session never fails to bring a tear to my eye because you get to see all of the hard work everyone has put into making another member of the team a clipboard that they will love. So much thought (and occasionally some social media stalking) and time is put into decorating each clipboard and it really solidifies the team dynamic before Fall Orientation has even begun.

Thank you for all of the laughs during Lip Sync battles. There is no one else I would rather make a complete fool out of myself with dancing to Miley Cyrus than all of you.

Thank you for your inclusion. As someone who still carries sometimes crippling insecurities from being left out of group activities in grade school, your willingness to truly listen to me when I speak and never ending streak of funny snapchats are what have helped me to come out of my shell. It is because of your lasting tolerance and acceptance that I have come to realize that I am one of the the best versions of myself during orientation.

Thank you for your love. Thank you for your care. Thank you for your resilience. Thank you for all that you do to empower and inspire both new students and myself.

With love,

Bella