By RINDY METCALF

Staff Writer

Orientation Student Leaders are preparing to take part in the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop held March 4-7 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Vince Miller, director of orientation and special programs, said more than 1,800 students from more than 70 universities attend SROW each year to participate in a skit competition and other "breakout sessions."

"There is more to the workshop than a skit competition," Miller said. "The student leaders spend two days attending breakout sessions on topics such as student transition, how to deal with parents, time management, leadership development, motivation and even ice breakers."

Miller said the breakout sessions are presented by professional staff from attending universities. This year he is presenting one on motivation.

Miller said the skit competition is on the first night of the workshop and Tech's orientation group has set the standard for the last five years.

"We held the first-place position for three years in a row, and currently we have placed second for the last two years," Miller said.

Miller also said the skit should showcase the attributes of the university as well as the orientation program in a short amount of time.

"The skit has to be less than six minutes in length and includes getting the leaders and props on and off the stage," Miller said.

Miller said this year's skit is based on a childhood classic, "Peter Pan."

Erica Timmons, an Orientation Student Leader and a sophomore elementary education major, plays a pirate who tries to keep Wendy's siblings from going to college.

"The pirates and Captain Hook try to keep the kids from going to college until Peter Pan and the Lost Boys take [the pirates] captive and try to get [them] to go to Tech," Timmons said.

Timmons said the group practices for the skit once a week and is starting to prepare props, backdrops and costumes for the presentation.

Mindy Nunez, an Orientation Student Leader and a senior political science major, said attending and doing well at SROW will be the group's first major accomplishment as a team, and there will be many more to follow.

"The message we want to send is that the orientation staff is enthusiastic about encouraging new students to come to Tech," Nunez said.

Nicole Chico, a former student Orientation Student Leader and a junior speech language pathology major, said the students gain people skills, leadership qualities, responsibility and time management skills at SROW.

She said even though the number of universities that attend SROW is overwhelming, it is a remarkable experience.

Chico said, "SROW is an amazing opportunity that allows you to gain knowledge of other universities as well as your own."