{"id":96939,"date":"2025-08-22T17:16:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T22:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/?p=96939"},"modified":"2025-08-22T17:16:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T22:16:26","slug":"statesmen-pioneers-light-up-okratation-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2025\/08\/statesmen-pioneers-light-up-okratation-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Statesmen Pioneers light up OKRAtation 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

CLEVELAND, Miss. \u2014 <\/strong>The first week at Delta State didn\u2019t just begin with unpacked boxes and campus maps. Thanks to the Statesmen Pioneers, OKRAtation 2025 kicked off with foam cannons, block parties, and a lot of new friendships. For hundreds of incoming students, it wasn\u2019t just orientation \u2014 it was their first taste of life at DSU.<\/p>\n

Their leadership was on full display during OKRAtation 2025, Delta State\u2019s weeklong orientation held August 16\u201321 under the theme \u201cYour Journey Begins Here.\u201d<\/em> From Move-In Day tours to a high-energy Foam Party finale, the Pioneers helped launch the year with excitement, connection, and Statesman pride.<\/p>\n

The schedule was packed: a Live & Lit on Leflore block party, the Parent\u2019s Presidential Preview, a lively Union Takeover, the first-ever Statesmen Walk, and a colorful Carnival Kickback on the Quad. For students who couldn\u2019t attend in person, Virtual OKRAtation on Canvas provided key resources.<\/p>\n

For Pioneer Ilayda Hacioglu, an international student from Turkey, the goal is simple: belonging. \u201cWe create events to make sure that Delta State really feels like a home away from home,\u201d she said. \u201cAt Live & Lit, people danced, laughed, and got to know one another\u2014it was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her fellow Pioneer Jyquon Wallace, a junior from Baldwin, added that being part of the group means leading with heart. \u201cWe just want to be those first friendly faces new students see,\u201d he said. \u201cOKRAtation gives them a chance to connect\u2014not only with academics, but with the organizations and social groups that make DSU special.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the Statesmen Pioneers paving the way, OKRAtation 2025 was more than orientation\u2014it was an epic welcome to life at Delta State.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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