THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2020 STUDENT MEDIA
Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION
A recording of the Aggie Band will be played at the unveiling of the Bush statue in Hungary.
Aggie Band to honor George H.W. Bush Marching recordings to be played for statue unveiling in Hungary By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band has been asked to record songs for the unveiling of a new statue of former President George H.W. Bush in Budapest, Hungary. The invite comes from the U.S. Embassy in order to help memorialize Bush for his contributions during the Cold War and his life of public service. The Aggie Band will record two signature marches including the Aggie War Hymn and the Noble Men of Kyle to play during the unveiling of the statue. “[George H.W. Bush] had a great love for this university and the Aggie Band,” senior Combined Band Drum Major Kyle Medlock said. “When the Bush Foundation asked us to provide a recording of two of our standard marches, we, of course, love serving the Bush family and the university so we are thrilled to be asked to do this.” The band’s leadership has selected a 96-person band to perform for the filming. The selection was based off of the top ranking cadets and the dedication that cadets have shown on the drill field. According to Medlock, the band is composed of the leaders on and off the drill field. “It is an awesome opportunity, especially during COVID[-19],” Medlock said. “Limited opportunities to have things that we normally would do to send a recording overseas to Hungary and have a bunch of people see what we do and present ourselves in that way and serve the Bush family.” AGGIE BAND ON PG. 3
Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION
One of A&M’s three COVID-19 testing kiosks available is located outside of the MSC in Rudder Plaza.
A&M debuts COVID-19 testing kiosks New coronavirus testing format provides free, walkup appointment options for anyone on campus By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_
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exas A&M now has three free walkup COVID-19 testing kiosks available for anyone in the state to utilize. On Oct. 12, A&M opened the first two COVID-19 testing kiosks on campus outside of the Memorial Student Center and the Commons. A third kiosk opened the week of Oct. 19 outside of the Mays Business School. The kiosks offer free, self-administered tests to anyone who walks up from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individuals are given the same oral swab tests that are available at Student Health Services and through A&M’s Random Testing Program, Director of Student Health Ser-
vices Dr. Martha Dannenbaum said. Unlike the Curative Inc. tent and Beutel Health Center, members outside of the A&M community are welcome to utilize the kiosks, Dannenbaum said. “Not only can faculty, staff and students take advantage, but other individuals can as well,” Dannenbaum said. “I think particularly of our SSC and Chartwells staff who are not A&M employees but are integral to our campus, so this allows them access to testing as well.” Dannenbaum said the kiosks are a part of A&M’s partnership with Curative, Inc., a California-based national testing company that originally tested the kiosks at the University of California-Berkeley. The kiosks have built-in up to 400 tests per day at each station, Dannenbaum said, which helps to maintain the campus’ main supply of COVID-19 tests funded by the A&M System. Dr. Angela Clendenin, director of the Brazos Valley COVID Investigation Operations Center and instructional assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiol-
ogy and Biostatistics, said the kiosks were implemented to increase accessibility to COVID-19 testing and are a part of A&M’s comprehensive surveillance program to identify the spread of the virus among the campus community. “If you can make tests available to people who are thinking they’ve been exposed and it’s a little easier to get a test, then they’re more likely to do it,” Clendenin said. “Having these kiosks in areas that a lot of people will traffic through — given the number of people on our campus right now — it makes it easier.” In addition to the testing kiosks, Clendenin said Curative also has a mobile van that offers walk-up testing. “It’s actually been in the Aggie Fan Zone before football games,” Clendenin said. “It just gives us some flexibility where, if you can’t come to get a test at a testing site, then we can bring that to you.” Clendenin said A&M’s partnerships with Curative and the Brazos County Health KIOSKS ON PG. 3
Blooming in Aggieland Bryan flower shop embraces family traditions, supports A&M community By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher
Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION
The Petal Patch Florist is located in Bryan on Texas Avenue.
The Brazos Valley florist shop, Petal Patch, has paved the way for local flower shops through its partnership with Texas A&M and its emphasis on tradition. Petal Patch is a custom flower shop located in Bryan. The shop is highly involved in the community and with A&M, providing arrangements for Aggie events such as home football games and Muster. Its services include weddings, sympathy arrangements and everyday arrangements. Shop owner Elizabeth Humphries said she bought the shop from her mother-inlaw in 2012 and feels it is her duty to share this gift with others. “My mother-in-law was one of the first florists here in town, so she taught many of the other flower shop owners in the area,” Humphries said. “She somewhat pioneered the market, so it’s important for me to carry on the tradition.” The shop works with the 12th Man Foundation and provides all of the flowers for each home game, Humphries said.
“We do the common areas like the Hall of Champions, the founders areas and inside some of the suites, as well as the athletic director and opposing athletic director’s suites,” Humphries said. “We’ve always donated and been a part of Muster and are involved in events all over campus.” Humphries said she strives to interact with customers and the community. She does this through Patch Camp, a hands-on experience taught by members of the Patch team where individuals can learn to make different flower arrangements and crafts. Humphries said she often hires Aggies either through the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences or through internships. “I’ve had many that started here and then went off to start their own floral business, so it’s great to be a part of that,” Humphries said. One such student is horticulture senior Savannah Gravens, who said Humphries acts as a mentor to many. “Elizabeth was so willing to take me under her wing and provide herself as an invaluable resource for my floral experience and education,” Gravens said. “That was what really made me excited to join the patch team.”
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PETAL PATCH ON PG. 3