Monday, August 18, 2014

9th Street Tour and Inter-Hall Activities

The day after Junior Move-In Day was also a very busy day for Juniors and Seniors alike.  For the Juniors, the morning and part of the afternoon was filled with meetings, student life sessions, and other gatherings.  For First Hunt in particular, it was an amazing day because for the tenth time in eleven years, First Hunt won "The Amazing Smath Race," a massive, organized Scavenger Hunt which takes place around campus.  First Hunt was paired with a sister hall, and together they had to search specific locations on campus and learn where buildings are located in order to win the "Amazing Smath Race."  Congratulations to the First Hunt Juniors for their victory!!

After the Race, there was time to play outside before First Hunt went to dinner on 9th Street.  The Ninth Street Dinner and Tour was one of my most memorable activities from last year, as it will be again this year! We walked down 9th Street, the popular "College Street," which hosts an excellent variety of delicious, locally-owned restaurants that NCSSM students absolutely love.  This time we had dinner at Tijuana Flats, a great Mexican restaurant which hosts a large variety of Hot Sauce flavors, including the super spicy "Death Wish Ghost Pepper" sauce.  After several challenges by various people around the Hall, there was a consensus that everyone on First Hunt should eat a sip of this super hot stuff.  Together, we ate (and suffered afterwards!). And of course there is a video..  

First Hunt
After dinner, we took a nice hall picture with everyone who attended the dinner.  We then walked back to First Hunt to get ready for the Inter-hall activity we had planned with our Sister Halls: Ground Royall and First Royall.  Juniors and Seniors together from First Hunt and these two Halls played several Icebreakers and name games to better get to know each other.  The activities were held in the gym and were led by RLA's from both First Hunt and the two Royall Halls.  We played a "hand slap" name game, a competitive game of "Giants, Elves, and Wizards," as well as a name game called "Stingerz," and the fun game "Ninja", where players have to slap each others' hands using just one fluid motion, and with only one motion to react and avoid another player attempting to slap your hands.  But of course, we couldn't forget the funniest icebreaker of all, which was "Ride That Pony," where everyone was placed into a circle, and according to the Ride That Pony Chant, had to run around the circle on a "pony," and do a bit of dancing before they could pass the "pony" on to the next player.  The Icebreakers were enjoyed by everyone and really helped to relax some of the Juniors and assist them in meeting new people from other halls.  
Inter Hall Activites- the Hand Slap Game!!

After the Icebreaker, the Hall had a short break and then gathered together again for the Intro to Housekeeping, where the Juniors learned how to do the various Housekeeping Jobs on First Hunt, how the Housekeeping rotation system works, and how to prepare for the first night of Housekeeping, which is Monday night.  After the Housekeeping Meeting, we had a short meeting in annex, where we welcomed Daniel Lee to the hall and learned about the schedule for Monday, as well as a few more First Hunt Rules, before heading to bed! What a day.. again!!






Junior Move-In Day!!

On August 16th, 2014, First Hunt welcomed thirteen new Juniors into our family.  Thanks to the help of many Seniors serving in Leadership positions, as well as RLA's, SLI's, and you, the Juniors, move-in day was a huge success.  We are happy to have every Junior on hall and finally be able to meet each and every one of you.  We, the RLA's, as well as the SLI, Mr. Newbauer, are so excited for this year.  We have an amazing group of guys, who together are already beginning to form the bonds of friendship that lead to a strong, tight-knit hall.

Ian and Gabe settling on on move-in day
Chandler re-arranges his room in Room 103
Move-in day was a busy day for all of us.  For Seniors, it was our turn to welcome the Juniors to NCSSM, to First Hunt, and to begin to show them the ins-and-outs of NCSSM life.  As far as our schedule for the day, the Juniors and the RLA's came together around 3pm for a couple of name games and icebreakers.  We each had to introduce ourselves, where we were from, and come up with an adjective that describes ourselves.  After more name games, we went over some basic residence hall rules and talked a little bit about safety (fire drills, tornado drills, etc.)  We took a break after the meeting and came back together at 5:00pm for the cookout, which was held out on Bryan Lawn.  Juniors and Seniors sat down together and chowed down on hamburgers, hot dogs, and macaroni- with plenty of time for socializing.  By the end of the meal, many Juniors walked towards the Ice Cream Social Dance chatting away with small groups and newfound friends.  RLA's from girls and boys halls alike were there to facilitate socializing, and introduce Juniors to friends, and friends to the Juniors.  After dinner and social time, everyone walked over to the ETC "Pit" Courtyard where a DJ was set up to DJ the Ice Cream Social Dance.  The dance is always a fun time and a great opportunity to connect with new people.

Tejas and Trey look good to go!
After the dance, we all met up in the First Hunt Lounge with the Seniors (those that hold leadership positions), then played more Icebreakers, name games, and introduced Juniors on hall to Seniors on hall.  We learned a few more rules, and then some of the hall headed out to "Happy Half"- which is a 30 minute period where people gather in the center of campus, just to socialize and relieve a little bit of stress at the end of the day.  After Happy Half, we all returned to the Main Hall Lounge and then went back to our rooms, tired from a long day!


Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Take a Virtual Tour of First Hunt


We, your RLA's, have created a short video to introduce ourselves to you and show you a little around First Hunt.  We hope for this to be helpful for Juniors, New Seniors, and Parents to be able to plan for what a First Hunt room might look like.  We take a tour around both First Hunt Main and First Hunt Annex, showing you the hallways, lounges, and a typical room on each part of the Hall.  As your RLA's, we hope this will help give you a short preview of First Hunt, and give you an idea of what the hall (and a typical room) will look like.  We are excited to see you in the very near future!

-Jared, Praruj, Shane, and Steven  

Link to First Hunt Info Video and Tour



 

Meet your 2014-2015 First Hunt RLA's!!!

Hello everyone and Welcome to First Hunt!!  As move-in day approaches, we, the RLA’s, just wanted to share with you a little bit about ourselves and what we’ll be doing as RLA’s this year on First Hunt. 




My name is Steven Tulevech, and I am super excited to be an RLA on First Hunt this year!  I am particularly excited about getting to know all of you though, especially those of you (Juniors and Seniors) who are new to First Hunt.  First, though, I want to introduce myself to you.  I was born and raised in Morehead City, North Carolina- a small town located on the coast close to the Outer Banks.  This is my second year living on First Hunt and my first living in the First Hunt Annex, which is the eastern part of the First Hunt hall.  My duties as an RLA include coordinating hall Housekeeping as well as managing the Hall Blog, among others.

I enjoy doing lots of things in my spare time.  I have run Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track every season I have been in high school, and I love it.  I am also an active Boy Scout, and love to hike, camp, bike, and fish in the Great Outdoors.  This past summer, I did Research in Biology at Duke University Marine Lab and also spent a week at an NC State Mechanical Engineering camp.  I also spent some good time this summer playing Ultimate Frisbee, Mountain Biking, and spent some relaxing days at the beach. 

I can’t say how psyched I am to be part of this community with you all.  First Hunt is a special hall on this campus that also has a special place in my heart.  We are all brothers here.  I am proud to call myself an RLA of this amazing hall, and hope that you, too, are ready to be part of the BEST HALL ON CAMPUS!

-Steven 




Name: Praruj Pant
Hall: 1st Main
Position: SLI Assistant

Hi! I’m Praruj. I’m from Punjab, India, and have moved around India, Canada, and Texas, but I grew up in Charlotte, NC. I’m a diehard fan of all nerdy things from Lord of the Rings to Pokemon, but I try to tone down my weirdness so I don’t scare people away. I’m interested in tons of things at NCSSM, but some of my main passions are biochemistry, Latin, and swimming. I’m part of the Research in Chemistry program, founder of the Latin club, and am on the NCSSM Men’s Swimming team. I also swim competitively for Duke Aquatics, a local competitive swim team. I’m a fan of reading, bad puns, and procrastinating during late-night study sessions. I was on Hunt 4th East last year, but I’m very excited to represent 1st Hunt as a RLA this school year. I can’t wait to get to know my new hallmates- here’s to a great year!


Hello Everyone!

I am Shane Steele-Pardue and I am soooo stoked to be your RLA this year! I am from Gates County, North Carolina; however, I was born in Chesapeake, Virginia. I like long walks on the beach and the occasional run as well. If you are ever looking for me I am usually doing classwork, playing guitar/ukulele, watching a movie, working out, reading, adventuring in Durham, or in class (but I do not suggest interrupting a class for any reason). I am currently doing research in humanities with the Mentorship program at Chapel Hill. I enjoy volunteering with the many opportunities offered (UNC TV, Ellerbe Creek, etc.). I absolutely love soccer - playing, watching, anything. I am a member of Legacy, UNICEF, Hiking, Ukulele Ensemble, Pop the Bubble, and Eat Local Foods club. I look forward to welcoming you all to the amazing experience that North Carolina School of Science and Math is!




Hey Everyone! My name is Jared Noble. I’m from Wake Forest, North Carolina and I love to swim, wakeboard, play soccer, and listen to music. I’m the RLA on First Hunt Main. Shane Steele-Pardue and myself will be coming up with all the numerous programs we do. I’m really excited to meet all you new juniors and to welcome you to the greatest hall at NCSSM. We have a unique culture here that’s extremely supportive, encouraging, and fun, and I think you’re all going to have a great time. Welcome!