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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Incoming students rush through a tunnel of Eagle Leaders onto Elliott Field Thursday, Aug. 18, during a pep rally. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
News

Class of 2020 soars onto campus

Jordyn Hulinsky
Incoming students rush through a tunnel of Eagle Leaders onto Elliott Field Thursday, Aug. 18, during a pep rally. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Incoming students rush through a tunnel of Eagle Leaders onto Elliott Field Thursday, Aug. 18, during a pep rally. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

About 500 freshmen and new transfer students, in addition to their parents and guests, attended the annual New Student Orientation the Thursday and Friday before classes started.

This year’s NSO featured a few new events compared to years past.

Thursday, Alex Helmbrecht, director of college relations, spoke to students about the history of past and present traditions at CSC and the importance of creating your own traditions at college.

“Alex exceeded my expectations and hopefully motivated the new students to take the opportunities that CSC provides and make the absolute best of their time as an Eagle,” Justy Bullington, admissions representative and Orientation, Transition and Retention committee member, said. 

Kassey Wetovick, 18, freshman of Wood River, lines up a shot during a game of pool in The Pit, Friday. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Kassey Wetovick, 18, freshman of Wood River, lines up a shot during a game of pool in The Pit, Friday. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

At the pep rally, the Class of 2020 “released their fears,” where they wrote their fears on a slip of paper that they put in balloons and then they ceremoniously released their balloons together at Elliott Field.

Also new this year, NSO paired with the summer event Bands on Bordeaux to feature NSO on Bordeaux which gave students and parents the opportunity to see downtown Chadron.

“We co-hosted the event with the Chadron Chamber of Commerce and the event was open to our NSO attendees and the Chadron community. Blue Street provided music and there were a variety of vendors, games and activities for all ages,” Danielle Lecher, director of market development and Orientation, Transition and Retention committee chair, said. 

“Despite the cooler temps and wind, the event was well attended and we will definitely plan to do it again next year as it exposed our attendees to the businesses and families that call Chadron home.” 

“NSO is always such a great time of year for the Chadron State campus and community,” Bullington said. “All of the CSC faculty and staff work so hard all year long to recruit new students, so getting to see these students move from potential students to current Eagles is one of the most rewarding experiences.”

“I was on maternity leave for a lot of the execution of these initiatives so I have to give credit to my amazing team members for all their hard work: Lisa Stein, Tamara Toomey, Justy Bullington, Sam Parker, Deena Kennell, Chris Green, Sara Smith, and Erin Heide,” Lecher said.