As current students pack up their things and spread out across the country for summer internships and visits home, thousands of incoming students will flood Mississippi State University’s campus this summer to learn more about their new home. Allie Porter, a senior kinesiology major and Orientation Leader, is one of many who will put on a maroon polo to welcome these new students home. In an email conversation with The Reflector, Porter shared what the Orientation Leader uniform means to her.
“Although we all wear the same uniform, we still have the opportunity to show our individuality through accessories, hairstyles, and of course, our personalized painted clipboards, which reflect our personality and creativity,” she wrote.
The MSU Orientation Leaders are a group of students who spend their summer guiding incoming freshmen and transfers through the orientation process. Orientation Leaders such as Porter take creative freedom with their uniforms to reflect the high energy of the summer event.
“Throughout the summer, I plan to do lots of fun things with my hair, such as adding ribbons, braids, or butterfly clips,” Porter wrote. “We also each have our own clipboards to hold schedules and attendance sheets. The fun part about these clipboards is that we paint our numbers on the back.”
Porter’s clipboard shows off bright shades of yellow and pink, energetic vibes and fun, girly accents.
“The background is yellow and features hydrangea and butterfly accents. Bully is in the corner wearing a bandanna, and in big, bold pink letters is my Orientation Leader number, 19.”
When asked about what wearing the Orientation Leader uniform meant to her, Porter shared her gratitude for the opportunity to wear the maroon and khaki uniform.
“Every time I put on my khakis and polo, I feel incredibly grateful to be entrusted with the opportunity to serve others and welcome future Bulldogs,” she wrote. “Even though we all wear the same uniform, we each bring different personalities and strengths that come together seamlessly.“
