University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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me a beautiful thank you card when she returned to PR. This is the stuff that makes being a P-lOO so much fun. We also have a breakfast with President Foote, retreats at the Biltmore and study breaks during finals. We also do the commercials and the admis- sions booklets. For example, Fm in the commercial. Hf you pay attention Fm in the opening one-second sceneJ There really isnit one word to describe what we do. Itls fun. It takes a lot of dedication and enthusi- asm. No matter the time requirements and the sched- uling, Fm going to be a P-1OO until I graduate. I love the people FVE met and I love this university. By the way, the tradition behind the boat burning is as follows- School of Architecture students build a boat that is then put to sail the night of the boat photos by Debbie Posner GUIDE. Cristina Pravia, Day by Day section editor, gives one tour each week for prospective stu- dents as a member of Presidents 100. Of her experiences she says, Its great to be the first person to influence a future freshmants opinions of the University. burning. Tradition says that if the mast breaks before the boat sinks, UM wins their homecoming game. If it doesnlt break, then we lose the game. Usually, some sort of explosive is set on the mast so that it always breaks before the boat sinks. That way we always win the homecoming game. Gt also helps that we play the worst football teams during this gameJ Thatls the type of thing P-100's tell prospective students on their tours. Being a P-1OO has taught me about the University and has given me the opportu- nity to introduce others to the University which has given me so much. FEATURES 21

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Gmsnlun l. mem I never realized that giving tours or helping out in open houses would have such an effect on peoplels decisions to come to the University of Miami until the beginning of this year when someone came up to me and told me so. Ilrn a P-IOO. Thatis short for being in Presidents 100. were a group of about 80 students who act as ambassadors for the university. This includes giving tours around campus, hosting out of town students overnight, going to President Footels house for parties and other activi- ties, and wel- coming guid- ance coun- selors when they come to see the uni- versity. Ilm sure youlve seen us around campus. We wear our white polo P- 100 shirts and khaki shorts and we always walk backwards. Its a great job, especially since I really enjoy being a student at UM. During my tours, parents have often told me, ttYou must really like UM. Youlre so enthusi- asticlll I do. And thatls one reason that at the end of my freshman year I applied to be a P-IOO. I filled out the form and then had an interview and a mock tour. Before I gave my first tour, I had to take a test which consisted of knowing all the colleges and 20 FEATURES schools on campus and all the statistics. Did you know that 79b of your Classes have 26 people or less and that ZSIMi have less than 16 students? Do you know the tradition behind the homecoming boat burning in Lake Osceola? I have met the wonderful people who work in the admissions office and the other students who are involved in the organization. Ilve lost track of how many tours I7VG given, but I remember some of them. During Christmas vacation, on Dec. 27, I gave a tour to about 100 people. I had out ,i, ,. t, the worst cold and could barely speak and I was scream- ing at the top of my lungs. But Fm not com- plaining. There were some really nice parents and future freshmen who asked all types of questions. Is this a party school? What do you do on the weekends? Do you feel youlre missing out on college life by being a commuter? How big are your Classes? Do you like UM or would you rather be in another school? And you definitely dont forget some of the people. I especially remember the guidance counselor I host- ed last spring. She was from the Caribbean Guidance Counselor Association in Puerto Rico. Since I was born there and lived there for 15 years until I moved to Miami, we immediately hit it off. She even wrote

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Each year, during Orientation, President Edward T. Foote 11 hosts new students at his home for a picnic in celebration of new beginnings. Students wear name tags and board shuttle buses at the Stanford Circle by the University Center. They arrive at President Footeis driveway Where each is greeted by name With a handshake. A feast is served and the University Of Miami's steel drum band supplies the music. Foote introduces himself and his Wife Bosey to the crowd of new stu- dents. Dr. William Butler, Vice president for Student Affairs, teaches his favorite tC-A-N-E-St Cheer, and the varsity Cheerleaders join in. This year, 1400 freshmen attend- ed the event. This is only the beginning, and four years later, the same students Will gather in the same place to celebrate an ending. President Foote speaks to students about the things they will experience during their years at the University of Miami. His wife, Roberta Foote, stands by. 22 FEATURES