Last Friday we went to Shelburne Beach for orientation.  It was a warm, sunny, summer day.  It felt nice to be able to go outside instead of being cooped up in the school.  Orientation is an Alpha tradition that is intended to teach new students about five Alpha characteristics:  leadership, creativity, individuality, teamwork, and trust.  This year I came away from this experience with the realization that these characteristics aren’t just words.  On Alpha we used these characteristics to welcome the new students.  Every day we use them to get things done and to learn.