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• Forests and Freshmen
• A Festive Atmosphere

FORESTS AND FRESHMEN

Scaling heights both literal and figurative, 17 incoming freshmen took part in the first CLU freshman leadership training retreat known as Telios — from the Greek word for "completeness" in terms of reaching a destination — which took place at Yosemite National Park in August. These newest members of the CLU community challenged themselves physically while making new friends prior to the start of classes. The program was designed by CLU administrators, including Clark Cripps, Coordinator for Intramurals, Fitness, and Recreation who recounts, "We camped and hiked Half Dome, and it was an eye-opener to see how people's strengths came out. Students got a chance to bond with 16 other freshmen, something that helped their transition to school."

"The highlight for me was when we hiked Half Dome, a seventeen-mile round trip. The trek was physically exhausting yet it stretched our mental endurance to the limit. We arrived at the top just as the sun was peaking and enjoyed lunch overlooking the entire valley. It was truly rewarding and at that moment my burning thighs and aching back were trivial."

— Briana Aleman, freshman
International Studies Major
Upland, California

"I was a bit nervous not knowing anyone coming in, but on the Telios trip I met a bunch of people and got to know them well. It was easy to make friends because you could go up to anybody and start a conversation. Also, the inner tubing on the last day and the high ropes course was so much fun."

— Ivan Inchauste, freshman
Business Major
Bellevue, Washington

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