Resident assistants from across the state gathered on Feb. 7-8 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Forrest Hill, La. in order to partake in the annual Equipping Resident Assistants Training Conference hosted by the Louisiana Association of Housing Officers.
Resident Assistants (RA) represented their institution by taking part in state-level competitions while learning from programs that teach leadership, social skills and how to become a better RA. They learned how to incorporate philanthropy and social justice into their housing programs, as well as teambuilding exercises.
This year's attendees included Brooke Adams, Caitlin Bueche, Aaron Johnson, Samuel Levy, Mikaela Ingalls, Shakyra Cooper, Mallory McKenzie, Assistant Director of Residential Life Amanda Robbins and Area Coordinator Ashley White.
While there, the students had the opportunity to participate in three informative sessions on student development, learn about events happening at other universities and the hot topics in student affairs.
"The [classes] that I attended were about getting to know people on a deeper level so that you can relate to them better, respecting professional boundaries and dealing with different situations as an RA, while prioritizing all of the different aspects of this busy life, and different ways to have programs in our buildings," said Livingston Hall RA Caitlin Bueche.
Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in case study, which is a competition where students present how an RA at their institution would react during different situations. RAs also participated in best skit, banner and spirit competitions.
"Each year, the conference incorporates a new theme into the program. This year's theme was "LAHOlympics" which "included a torch-carrying ceremony to kick-off the events [where] a representative from each school carried an Olympic-like torch to the main stage, where the rest of their school joined them in a cheer to signify their presence at the event."
Three awards were won at the conference. Hammond Hall's Community Clusters program won the award for Community Building Program of the Year. In addition, two resident assistants were recognized for their outstanding work.
"Jacob Currier, third-year resident assistant for Cardinal Newman Hall, was chosen as the 2014 Male Resident Assistant of the Year for the state of Louisiana," said Robbins. "First year resident assistant for Taylor Hall Sarah Lepine was chosen as the 2014 Female Rising Star for the state. Southeastern students Caitlin Bueche, Aaron Johnson and Mikaela Ingalls came in third place for the Case Study competition, where resident assistants from each school presented potential solutions for a fictional incident," said Robbins.
Aaron Johnson, an RA in St. Tammany Hall, attended this year's conference and left with plenty of helpful information.
"One main thing I learned from one of the programs that I attended was how to be a more sensitive RA in the sense that everyone is different, but still we're very much alike. It taught me better ways to go about things that we typically have to do. I saw this experience as extended training. You meet so many people who all have something unique to bring to the table and you learn from them all," said Johnson.
 "I'm proud of our team who represented Southeastern at E.R.A.," said Robbins. "These students put in long hours learning skits, cheers, strolls/dances, painting banners and more. I was blessed to be able to attend and supported them as they Lion Up in representation of Southeastern."