Meeting the Howdy Crew, A&M’s official tour guides
A dive into the leadership orgs offered for freshmen
BTHO STUDYING
Aggie-approved study spots
CONTRIBUTORS
Editors
Zoe May, Editor in Chief
Sydnei Miles, Managing Editor
Hudson Elkjer, Art Director
Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Sydney Hale, Social Media Manager
Photographers
Quentin Deming, Ashely Bautista
Writers
Ayla Francis, Maryhelen Guerrero, Lucy Belcik, Madeline Townsend, Joshua Abraham
Designers
Olivia Ingram
Business
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
GETTING INVOLVED
Multicultural Orgs | Making Friends | Rec Activities | FLOs
Photo by Ashely Bautista, The Battalion Assoc. Photo Chief
organizations on campus. Incoming vice president external for APC, Aarya Mummadavarapu, said APC is more like “the glue,” and their priority is to “form connections between various different Asian American organizations on campus.”
APC has several large events and initiatives that make it successful. Socials, fashion shows, profit shares and more bring a lot of traction from many different students and people. One core event that APC has to get students involved is their boba social, usually held in the Memorial Student Center, or MSC.
“Boba social is kind of like a mini MSC Open House with all the Asian orgs,” Mummadavarapu said. “They come up and they table, and it’s a stamp system. If people come by and get enough stamps or talk to enough orgs, they get free boba at the end.”
One unique aspect about APC is their internship program, which gives students the opportunity to intern in different positions. This initiative and program has been so successful, that all interns from this past year are returning as directors.
Incoming vice president of programming for APC, Sumith Kishore, said his passion for his role within APC stems from his love of planning events and serving others.
“Having that ability to work behind the scenes is something I completely love,” Kishore said. “Being in the behind the scenes with those kinds of big events and seeing how people are loving the event, enjoying it, and seeing the hard work that we put on pay off at the end, that’s the biggest satisfaction that I get from doing anything.”
APIDA City Limits, or ACL, is one of APC’s most notable events of the school year. Last year, this event attracted over 700 people and has continued to grow and have great turnouts.
“It’s kind of like a play on Austin City Limits,” Mummadavarapu said. “We do like a mini concert in Aggie Park every year. This was our third year and it was really amazing. We get a lot of student vendors to come out. We get performers from all around campus and the Bryan-College Station area. It’s really amazing, it’s an experience.”
From leadership to public speaking to forming a community, Mummadavarapu said he has his organizations to thank for the person he is today. He said it’s for these reasons multicultural organizations are so important on campus.
“Coming in as a freshman, I was definitely scared of A&M a little bit,” Mummadavarapu said. “I didn’t know whether I would be able to fit in or really find my community, because I grew up in a pretty diverse setting, so coming to A&M was a big change. I think joining these different organizations, I’ve really come to see how tight knit of a community it is and … that truly changes your whole life trajectory.”
Rec Sports
hurdles so people can get out on their own.”
The trip program allows students to participate in new activities they may have no experience in but also to meet new people, Grier said.
“If people don’t know how to go paddling or don’t know where to go or where to go backpacking, they can join trips with us,” Grier said. “If they’re looking to meet other people, if they’re looking for some instruction or some guidance along the way, or need transportation, we have a trip program that is usually a lot cheaper than you could do on your own. We provide transportation equipment, instruction, permitting and logistics and all that stuff for those trips.”
As for the climbing walls, the Southside and Main Rec Center both equip students with everything they need to get involved; or if you have experience, they offer new ways to advance your skills
“We have a very easy way for people to try climbing, and we have what we call a ‘one time’ climb,” Grier said. “Enrolled students get one free [each] semester … we include the equipment with that. Our staff will walk you through the process, and they’ll be the one hand on the rope for you.
“For folks that are coming to campus and already know how to climb, they can skip that process and take a skills check, and then they have a pass for the next six months for free,” Grier said. “We’re very accessible. We teach a lot of new beginners.”
With almost 80,000 students on campus, Grier said the Rec prioritizes offering diverse options to keep students active and happy in their workouts.
“Getting in the pool — that’s going to be a thing for people,” Grier said. “Getting in the weight room — that’s going to be a thing for people. Being part of the intramurals team with your floor or with your student org — that’s going to be the thing for people. We need a wide range and a wide mix of that.”
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Photos courtesy of FLAC & FEAST
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
On the first Tuesday of every month, Aggies gather at 10:30 p.m. in the Academic Plaza to honor students who have passed in the previous month. Hymns are played from the bell tower, and a march and gun salute begin the ceremony. Then, trumpet players perform A&M’s rendition of “Taps” called “Silver Taps” from the top of the Academic Building. They play once in each direction besides the east since it is said that the sun will never rise on that fallen Aggie again.
Beginning as far back as 1899 with the Corps’ celebration of San Jacinto Day, Muster has evolved into a worldwide ceremony for Aggies everywhere to meet on April 21 and remember fallen Aggies from that year. “The Roll Call for the Absent” honors each individual, to which those present reply “Here” and light a candle to remember them. In Reed Arena on campus, the largest Muster ceremony is held and also celebrates the 50-year reunion class with a Camaraderie Barbecue beforehand.
Incoming freshmen head to Lakeview for three days in the summer to learn all about Aggie culture. Student counselors, separated into iconic color groups, pour endless hours into skits, banners and activities to make this orientation a warm welcome to the Aggie family.
BIG EVENT
In 1982, six Aggies started this tradition by volunteering to clean at a nearby cemetery. Since then, every year A&M students dedicate this day to giving back to the Bryan and College Station community by serving its residents in whatever projects they need done. The Big Event has been adopted by universities across the country.
SILVER TAPS FISH CAMP MUSTER CLASS CELEBRATIONS
Each class year is marked with commemorative events. Fish Fest lets new students mingle and meet organizations, Pull Out Day celebrates sophomore’s first “Whoop!”, juniors show off their new Aggie Ring on Ring Day and seniors celebrate the end of their time together at Ring Dance. Seniors also share a treasured last walk through campus together called Elephant Walk, held before the last home football game every year.
Illustrated by Olivia Ingram, Staff Designer
By Madeline Townsend, Staff Writer
Deep in the Heart of Brazos Valley
In 1871, Harvey Mitchell secured his life’s mission in orchestrating a sale on behalf of Bryan to secure the location of what would become Texas A&M just a few miles south of town. Today, Historic Downtown Bryan is home to the legendary stories of our past converging with a thriving arts scene, top-rated restaurants, signature events and eclectic boutiques & antique shops to form the ever-evolving cultural hub of the Brazos Valley.
Not only is Downtown Bryan rich in culture but in entertainment for the community. Each First Friday of the month, make your way down to see as the streets transform to host musicians, vendors and activities. Bryan offers the community the chance to wind down each month and enjoy the scenery.
Start your day with an exceptional coffee from Tavo Coffee Co. With their own freshly roasted coffee beans and pastries inspired by the culture of coffee worldwide, like stuffed bagel bombs and Guatemalan shortbread cookies, customers are transported to their fourth-generation Guatemala coffee farm. Tavo offers a rotating assortment of in-house-made syrups locally sourced to complement the coffee.
In the home of Tex-Mex, Destination Bryan has searched to find the best of the best tacos to include in the Bryan Texas Taco Trail. The trail features a wide selection of taquerias, traditional flavors, American-style pubs and everything in between. There are fusion options, taco trucks and, local favorite, Taco Crave on Main Street. Taco Crave crafts their tacos with recipes originated from Mexico and allows customers to sample their meats and a topping while your taco is prepared in front of you. Still craving Mexican cuisine? Just down the road is Frida’s Kitchen and Bar that offers authentic Mexican food with a modern twist. If you liked First Friday, you’ll love The Local with a variety of new vendors at each market and live music at The Pavilion right by the water. The Local is more than a market, it’s a place to unwind and take a stroll while celebrating all the creativity in Bryan. Each market highlights the art made right here and offers our neighbors the chance to show the community what they love. To do The Local right, you have to stop by POV, another amazing coffee shop next to The Stella Hotel. POV has seasonal menus, fresh pastries and lunch options to carry with you while you shop.
Just next door is 6Whiskey, offering the true Western experience. With apparel ranging from game days to comfortable classics, they bring the cowboy out of us all with their ‘Lone Star Lifestyle.’
The Local at Lake Walk is a ‘Rain or Shine’ event every third Tuesday of the month. The Local transforms into a Night Bazar May through August from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Keep supporting the local community at The Farm Patch Market for fresh, quality produce. In the 1970s the Scarmardo family satisfied a vital need in the Brazos Valley area that brought back the traditional feeling of a farmers market. With their unique products ranging from fruits and vegetables to plant necessities, they are recognized for their high quality and fair prices. Make sure to check in during the holiday season to be part of their pumpkin patch and Christmas tree lot.
Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or looking for a fun activity for Friday night, TopGolf has made its way to Aggieland. For mini-golf, handcrafted food and drinks and a fun time, check out the new and improved golf spot in town.
Not only can Bryan make you feel right at home, Aggieland Safari allows students to step outside and learn about exotic animals. This drive-thru zoo allows you to hand feed a large variety of animals such as zebras, llamas and bison right outside your window. In addition, they have the ‘Walkabout Adventure Zoo’ with unforgettable exhibits, exciting information and exclusive experiences with unique animals. From otters and giraffes to lizards and capybaras, Aggieland Safari offers a once-in-alifetime experience with the cutest friends.
Don’t forget to stop by Polite Coffee Roasters, another unique shop catering to Aggies. Polite prioritizes small, friendly gestures to create community across different cultures. After serving our country, Steve Turner wanted to serve his community while attending Texas A&M. From farmers markets to becoming partners with the Kyle House, Polite Coffee continues to stay dedicated to creating community by sharing small acts of kindness and high quality coffee.
For more information about what makes Bryan, Texas special or any of the places listed, check out destinationbryan.com.
Polite Coffee Roasters
The Farm Patch
The Farm Patch
Photos by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Meeting the Howdy Crew, A&M’s official tour guides
By Maryhelen Guerrero, Staff Writer
Before classes begin, before the achievement of receiving an Aggie Ring, and even before the saying “Howdy” becomes second nature, there’s one experience that often defines a student’s first impression of Texas A&M — their campus tour. Located at the Appelt Aggieland visitor center are the Howdy Crew, a passionate team of student tour guides who lead visitors across campus, introduce them to Aggieland’s traditions and share their own stories.
With over 100 members, Howdy Crew is overseen by a dedicated staff who ensure that each tour reflects the core values of A&M. Kalee Castanon is the associate director who supervises the student ambassadors and student tour guides. She has been full-time with the visitor center since 2015 and was once a former student tour guide for the university for two years.
“It’s definitely changed a lot, but I still love coming to work everyday,” Castanon said. “I still love working with the students. I think one thing I’ve grown really passionate about is the student development piece of my position and being able to work so closely with college students, and help them, watch them grow throughout their college journey, and then graduate, go on to these amazing careers, and experience other opportunities after college. And I know that I played a small part in that so it’s really rewarding.”
Selecting the right students to represent A&M is a responsibility the Howdy Crew team takes seriously, as it’s a robust hiring process with several interviews including a written application. Applicants meet with both student leaders and supervisors before advancing to an intensive certification process. This final step ensures they are fully prepared to lead tours independently before being considered as fully trained.
“I am always looking for students who are great communicators,” Castanon said. “With so many students, it can be easy to miss things. So, students who take initiative and follow up, they reach out about different issues that they may be facing,
anything that they have questions about is always very helpful in our team.”
The members embody the university’s Core Values through their leadership. By creating genuine connections and making prospective students feel seen and welcomed, they help visitors envision what their own journey at A&M could look like.
“There’s a saying that ‘Texas A&M is with you from Howdy to Here’ and we like to think that the visitor center we’re the ‘Howdy,’ and so we really are the face of the university for a lot of families,” Castanon said. “Someone on the Howdy Crew might be the first Aggie they ever meet, and that’s something we teach our students: that first impression really does make a difference.”
Junior Eden Buchanan joined the Howdy Crew spring semester of her freshman year. She discovered the opportunity through a flyer advertising an open position. Already on the lookout for a job, she felt the position would be a perfect fit and after the interview process was offered the position.
“I was a very outgoing person,” Buchanan said. “Public speaking is something I’m very fortunate to have never really struggled with, and then I feel like my previous work experience was very conducive to coming here and working in a customer service position.”
Despite the demands of the position, Buchanan never grew tired from it, in fact, her passion for the job developed over time. Starting as a tour guide, she took on more responsibility by applying for leadership roles such as director and ambassador, drawn by the desire to give back to the organization that had given so much, she said. She is now the incoming Howdy Crew Captain for the upcoming academic year.
“I feel like giving a tour, especially on a football Friday when a bunch of former students are in town, everyone is super excited just to be back on campus and see how everything’s changed,” Buchanan said. “I feel like going into a tour honestly makes my day better. I would never want to give up touring.”
Preparing for the role as a tour guide
Looking for a Tour?
Campus Walking Tour
Residence Hall Tour
Take a 90-minute stroll through campus and learn about historic traditions, academia and life on campus. Take a one-hour tour through the Northside dorms or a 30-minute quick walk through Southside or White Creek.
Academic Session/ Corps of Cadet
Get an in-depth look at academic programs and the Corps of Cadets and with the Corps, get a look at housing as well.
Admission Session
A 45-minute breakdown on all the ins-and-outs of getting into Texas A&M and learn important deadlines.
Alternative Tours
If you are unable to find your way to Aggieland, take a look at the Visit TAMU website for a virtual tour.
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
involves both structures, talking points and personal experiences. Members are provided with a booklet that gives a basic outline of what to say, but incorporating their own stories makes the tours relatable and memorable. This personalized approach not only helps Buchanan with memorization but allows her to create a deeper connection with visitors.
“Howdy Crew does a really good job of giving you the talking points as an outline, but a lot of the talking points have prompts as a way to advertise it,” Buchanan said. “But our full-time staff definitely encourages us to talk about our own experience here at A&M.”
No matter the weather or their mood, Howdy Crew members give it their all. When junior Chazzy Stateler gives tours, he often shares anecdotes such as camping overnight at Aggie Park during game days. He also makes sure to stay hydrated, especially on hot days, by carrying both water and electrolytes. If he’s ever running on little sleep after a late night study session, Stateler is committed to leave a positive impression, even if it’s on a 9 a.m.
tour.
“You have to realize that these people are traveling in, not just from Texas, but we regularly have people coming in from out of state,” Stateler said. “Last week alone, I remember there were a bunch of people from the state of California because they had spring break. Whatever impact you leave can alter their decision in whether they decide to make Aggieland their home for the next four years or not.”
Although he’s not the best with names, Statler goes out of his way to remember each visitors’ interests. By engaging with everyone on the tour, Statler ensures the experience is tailored to each group, making it unique and positive by “meeting them where they’re at,” he said.
“I try to make that effort to reach out to those more reserved ones,” Stateler said. “That’s where I feel my effort, and there’s where I try to make the difference because I want to make them feel like they are wanted and seen.”
Guides like senior ambassador Ella Neighbors have learned to adapt quickly and walk away having learned something
new themselves. But beyond these surprises, many questions are consistent from visitors regarding topics like financial aid.
“We give over 900 million dollars in scholarships per year and so it’s nice to be able to meet their questions with answers,” Neighbors said. “It’s always interesting seeing what is making them interested in A&M, and so definitely a lot about housing, transportation, and financial aid.”
With campus tours being the busiest around 8-11 a.m., it is in the morning when the Howdy Crew members are the most eager to give tours, until the size of the 5,200 acre campus wears them out toward the end. And it’s during those in-between moments, both on and off the clock, that the team builds lasting friendships that go past the visitor center.
“I’ve gone to birthday parties, Ring dunks, and so many other things,” Neighbors said. “The Howdy Crew really does extend beyond the workplace.”
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
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Be Your Own Advisor
Learn to take control of your college planning
By Joshua Abraham, The Battalion Writer
If you’re an incoming student to Texas A&M, you must be excited for the upcoming semester. As much as you should be looking forward to football season and sawing Varsity’s horns off, you should also be thinking about the classes you have to take.
We have great advisors to help you register for classes and plan out your future. Setting up an appointment with them at the start of your college career is imperative to your academic success.
However, you shouldn’t rely on them too much.
As advisors are humans too, they can make mistakes. Sometimes, their mistakes can be costly if you don’t pay attention. I’ve heard many cases of students who had to wait a couple semesters to take a class because they weren’t informed of a prerequisite or the class they needed to take is only given every other semester. I don’t say this to scare you, but to state a possible reality.
Nevertheless, I would like to share a secret with you.
My first advisory meeting was two minutes long. When my advisor began to go over everything with me, I had already planned out every class I needed to take and the meeting was pointless. They checked over my plan, agreed with my judgement and sent me on my way.
Now, has my plan changed since I’ve come to A&M? Yes, indeed. I switched careers and had to rethink my entire degree plan. But, again, with proper planning, I was able to adjust and set myself up for success. I didn’t have to rely on my advisor for help, and neither should you.
I might be the anomaly in the system, but that shouldn’t be the case. You should learn to take control of your college career, and you can do this by following these easy steps:
Know your degree plan
Deciding during your ticketed registration time what you should take next semester is not ideal. You need to figure this out beforehand so it’s as simple as hitting a couple buttons when you register for classes.
A&M provides all majors with a sample degree plan to follow, but this can be customized to your own preferences. It’s imperative that you look over what courses you’re required to take and make sense of it.
Use the online degree planner in your Howdy portal to combat any confusion.
Photo by Quentin Deming, Staff Photographer
By Madeline Townsend, Staff Writer
Texas A&M is No. 19 for largest campus in the U.S. and No. 2 in enrollment size. With so many options, and other students, finding the perfect place to study and concentrate can be challenging. Whether you prefer complete silence to loud background noise, there is a place for you here.
Former student Katie Binder said her favorite spot on campus was the Starbucks in Sterling C. Evans Library. Located near the Central Campus Parking Garage, Evans Library & Annex is a two building facility with six floors each.
“It’s quiet, but not too quiet,” Binder said.
Evans Library has everything a student needs. With printers and a Starbucks on the first level for fuel and levels 2-6 with varying quiet spaces available for group-check out or individual use, each floor is fully equipped for your study demands. Starbucks can also be found in the Quad for a quieter and more spacious environment.
Economics senior Robert Carpio enjoys the 41st Club located in the Allen Building, down the street from the George Bush Library.
“There’s these kolaches that I really like,” Carpio said. “I get a kolache there every time.”
A SMOOTH TRANSITION
From high school to college
As you begin the transition from high school to college, it’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself to adapt to new routines and environments immediately. Freshman year of college will likely bring many big changes to your life: it’s okay if everything feels a little weird for a while!
You likely have some idea of what you expect and hope college to be before you even step foot on campus. Unfortunately, as with many things, that ideal will probably not match what you experience. It’s okay to feel disappointed if things aren’t exactly what you imagined. However, make sure the ideals you are holding on to aren’t preventing you from enjoying what you are experiencing.
As you begin to build new support systems at Texas A&M, don’t be ashamed to lean on your existing ones at home. It’s okay to go home a few times during the first semester! Don’t let others dictate what a “normal” amount of time spent at home is; everyone adjusts differently and may need more or less support. However, you should balance this as the more weekends you spend at home, the less time you are
investing in new relationships here. Do your best to step out of your comfort zone as much as possible, and you will reap the benefits.
Stepping out of your comfort zone may very well involve joining a few student organizations. There are (literally) hundreds of unique orgs for you to try your hand at. However, the mythical “perfect org for you” will be very hard to find. MSC Open House is a great way to get a full understanding of what “hundreds of organizations to join” actually looks like, but can be pretty overwhelming for a firsttime freshman.
Again, don’t pressure yourself. Orgs are a great way to meet new people and find those who share similar interests and values. But don’t expect the “perfect org” to fastrack you to the perfect friend group and the perfect college experience. Narrow it down to the few groups that match your schedule and interests best and take it from there.
While you may find you can manage more extracurricular activities in college than you did in high school, don’t stretch yourself too thin your first semester. Make sure you are leaving enough time in your schedule for rest and completing coursework. A common mistake among incoming freshmen is signing up for too much too fast and then not being able to fully
By Lucy Belcik, Staff Writer
commit to anything! You still have plenty of semesters to try out more things: keep it simple the first semester.
And don’t forget: college classwork will look different than high school, regardless of your major. Some classes will be a lot easier than high school while some will be a lot harder! It’s important to learn how to study and manage your time; you may need to work to build new habits, and that’s okay. I found I especially needed to re-learn how to study after I began college, since I was used to getting good grades on high school tests whether I studied or not.
Some recommendations: study in short, focused blocks of time rather than long cram sessions the night before. Most of all: get organized! Buy a planner or make a Google calendar to track your upcoming assignments and exams.
And go to class! Set yourself up for success when registering for courses. While 8 a.m. classes are perfect for those who feel the most energetic in the mornings, that might not be you. Know yourself and do your best to choose a class schedule that will help you feel motivated to actually go to class. For some courses, attending and actively listening while taking notes is the best strategy for an A.
Lastly, take care of your health as you make this big transition. I guarantee there will be times this first semester where you feel super lonely or overwhelmed. These emotions are totally normal! However, make sure they aren’t affecting your ability to study, socialize or take care of yourself. If in doubt: reach out. There is likely someone in your life who can empathize and help support you.
You’ve got this, new Aggie! Remember: don’t pressure yourself to adapt immediately, balance your expectations, and know yourself. Embrace the uncertainty and get excited to begin this new chapter of your life!
