2008 Woodie Awards
O-Team's Spoon Wars
Beware of the Spoon
Amanda Andreen
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Features
Has anyone else seen random students around campus carrying bright green spoons in their hands? It's more than likely that the answer is yes, so this brings about the question of why? Why are students carrying around bright green Kermit spoons, to be exact?
Well, it looks like the answer can be found at Student Life and Leadership, where many campus inquiries can be answered. For its second year, the Orientation Team from Student Life and Leadership-also known as the O-Team-is in the middle of a war: a spoon war.
What initially began as a way for the O-Team to grow and learn about one another, has quickly evolved into a new tradition here at CSUSM that is integrated within the entire campus community. Implemented by Jennie Goldman, the director of New Student Programs, and O-Team Director John Hall, this new tradition is an adaptation of the game "Assassins."
"Each person on O-Team was given a bright green Kermit plastic spoon," said O-Team member Angela Ortiz. "We are to carry the spoons everywhere. They need to be in our hand and if we let go of the spoon, it must be able to fall." Throughout the war, each participant has an assigned "target" they are watching. If they catch their target without their spoon, their target is out-or technically speaking, "spooned," by their hunter, and then the target's target becomes the hunter's new target. Everyone on the O-Team is a hunter and a target during the spoon war.
"We cannot tag a person while they are working or if there is a presentation going on during one of our O-team meetings. Other than that, you can tag a person anytime, anywhere," said Stephanie Michaels of the O-Team. "This is a team building exercise that teaches you to keep your friends close, and your spoons even closer," said O-Team member Kevin Chatham. "The spoon war can last for a really long time or a really short time," said Ortiz. "This game can go on for months..." said Hall.
Last year Ortiz got spooned at home by her own sister who was also on the O-Team only an hour after the war started, and Michaels lost at last year's Spring Fling while dancing without holding her spoon. "I wanted a truce so I didn't have to dance with my spoon but my friends wouldn't do it," said Michaels. Chatham, commenting last year's war said, ""I can't believe I got out! I thought she was just giving me a hug but she spooned me!"
"If you see someone holding a plastic green spoon, then you know who O-Team is and you know the Spoon War is on. The Spoon War is all about bonding with your target," said Ortiz. "You get to know where they hang out, whether it's the library, C3, SLL or in some random classroom. You try to scope out who others have, and attempt to build alliances. No one is safe, not at any Spring Fling dance, lunch outing, O-Team meeting or before class."
"The spoon wars are a great way for our organization to be visible, have fun, and further build community in our organization," added Hall.
"Whether in orientations or in the classroom, O-Team will be there to show school spirit, even if it means holding a little green spoon with the image of Kermit the Frog all over it," said Ortiz.
Well, it looks like the answer can be found at Student Life and Leadership, where many campus inquiries can be answered. For its second year, the Orientation Team from Student Life and Leadership-also known as the O-Team-is in the middle of a war: a spoon war.
What initially began as a way for the O-Team to grow and learn about one another, has quickly evolved into a new tradition here at CSUSM that is integrated within the entire campus community. Implemented by Jennie Goldman, the director of New Student Programs, and O-Team Director John Hall, this new tradition is an adaptation of the game "Assassins."
"Each person on O-Team was given a bright green Kermit plastic spoon," said O-Team member Angela Ortiz. "We are to carry the spoons everywhere. They need to be in our hand and if we let go of the spoon, it must be able to fall." Throughout the war, each participant has an assigned "target" they are watching. If they catch their target without their spoon, their target is out-or technically speaking, "spooned," by their hunter, and then the target's target becomes the hunter's new target. Everyone on the O-Team is a hunter and a target during the spoon war.
"We cannot tag a person while they are working or if there is a presentation going on during one of our O-team meetings. Other than that, you can tag a person anytime, anywhere," said Stephanie Michaels of the O-Team. "This is a team building exercise that teaches you to keep your friends close, and your spoons even closer," said O-Team member Kevin Chatham. "The spoon war can last for a really long time or a really short time," said Ortiz. "This game can go on for months..." said Hall.
Last year Ortiz got spooned at home by her own sister who was also on the O-Team only an hour after the war started, and Michaels lost at last year's Spring Fling while dancing without holding her spoon. "I wanted a truce so I didn't have to dance with my spoon but my friends wouldn't do it," said Michaels. Chatham, commenting last year's war said, ""I can't believe I got out! I thought she was just giving me a hug but she spooned me!"
"If you see someone holding a plastic green spoon, then you know who O-Team is and you know the Spoon War is on. The Spoon War is all about bonding with your target," said Ortiz. "You get to know where they hang out, whether it's the library, C3, SLL or in some random classroom. You try to scope out who others have, and attempt to build alliances. No one is safe, not at any Spring Fling dance, lunch outing, O-Team meeting or before class."
"The spoon wars are a great way for our organization to be visible, have fun, and further build community in our organization," added Hall.
"Whether in orientations or in the classroom, O-Team will be there to show school spirit, even if it means holding a little green spoon with the image of Kermit the Frog all over it," said Ortiz.
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