Launch Olympics team spirit tops past orientation years

On Saturday, September 10th, Redeemer hosted its annual Launch Olympics, an afternoon of competitive games between first year students.

The Olympics are held as the pinnacle event of Launch games, which are a series of challenges between teams of first year students such as play writing, food drives, etc. Part of the initiative of the Launch week is to gather new students in community and unite them through games and activities.

Goofy challenges such as pulling apart a frozen t-shirt, passing flour over each other’s head and down a row, and throwing sponges at team leaders to wipe pudding off of their faces, encourage students to forget reservations and join one another in silliness.

This year, teams were in high spirits as they sported outfits which humourously represented their colours. Team Orange had a team member dressed as Tigger, Green worked crazy wigs, and Brown modelled cowboy hats. As well, Yellow fitted a devoted member tightly into a corset and Pink showed spirit by dressing as the pink panther.  Grey stuck several members with duct tape which plastered their bodies from head to toe. Some team members wore sparkling silver wigs and they even showed off a robot mascot.

Activities Coordinator, Micah VanDyk commented, "I thought the team spirit shown from all LAUNCH Team topped any orientation I have been part of. Teams were cheering for each other and having lots of fun competing against each other."

First year student, Hilary Falk, was fully fitted in silver duct tape and said, “There is so much spirit, the community here is overwhelming!” Hannah Trester, Green team RA (Resident Advisor) agrees, “It makes an RA proud when you see your team come together in community.”

Launch Olympics is the emphasis and initial taste for new students of the community and friendships to follow for the next four or five years. Students are able to meet one another through the games and see that Redeemer is not just about academics, but also involves fun and communal support. Through friendly competition and humourous challenges, first year students are thrust into the open arms of Redeemer. Mission control leader, Josh Looy said, “The Olympics get first years connected and welcomes them into a whole new environment.”

The Olympics ended with Redeemer’s famous mud tug of war. It wasn’t long before students found themselves piled and pulled into the mud. After the tug of war was over, the mud pit was filled with competitors laughing and burying one another in the mud. It did not matter that many could not breathe or see, because they were distracted with the amusement of being completely covered in mud. Hoses were stationed for students tired of the masking mud and pumped students with freezing cold water. All that was left to show for Olympics was the traces of mud through paths and dorms.

The winning team was announced at Thursday's coffehouse. Congratulations to Team Light Blue, 2011/12 winners of the Cooper Cup.