MONDAY, MARCH 5 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2018 STUDENT MEDIA
Silver Taps Kyle Alan Novikoff 12/26/97 — 2/13/18
Matthew Austin Gaikema 3/21/95 — 2/4/18
TUESDAY NIGHT WE HONOR THE FALLEN when 10:30 p.m. Tuesday where Academic Plaza
Marc Portell Elizondo 11/4/98 — 1/11/18
December 26, 1997 - February 13, 2018
In honor of Aggies who have died, the Ross Volunteer Firing Squad will march in Academic Plaza and fire three rifle volleys of seven shots. Buglers from the Aggie Band will play a special arrangement of Taps.
March 21, 1995 - February 4, 2018
Kyle Alan Novikoff
Matthew Austin Gaikema
A talented musician and dedicated friend, loved by all who knew him
A student who created a caring connection with friends, family through his humor
Kyle Novikoff’s selflessness and drive to succeed will continue to inspire his loved ones for years to come.
Dedicated and devoted to serving others, Matthew will be remembered for his warming, selfless spirit. COURTESY
By Megan Rodriguez @ MeganLRodriguez
K
yle Novikoff ’s musical talents, love for learning and giving spirit will remain forever in the hearts of his loved ones.
Ever since he was in 10th grade, Kyle dreamed of becoming an Aggie to study aerospace engineering — a goal he was actively working toward as a general engineering sophomore. However, Kyle’s interests spanned far beyond the classroom. In his spare time, he taught himself Japanese and composed his own music. While Kyle’s many talents were impressive, his desire to help others succeed is what continues to resonate in the memories of his friends and family today. Kyle worked tirelessly to learn Japanese and received the opportunity
to put his skills to use when his family took a trip to Japan. His father, Jason Novikoff, and mother, Ashley Novikoff, said Kyle helped them navigate the country during the family vacation. “We went to a little cafe that was attached to a meat market,” Jason said. “He helped us pick things off the menu by reading it, and the owner of the shop was curious as to how we got there. She was really excited that he could talk to her and that she could find out where we came from and how far we came and why we went up there. She was just really excited and said, ‘Send all your friends to see me.’” The extraordinary trips around the world were unforgettable, but Jason said some of his favorite memories of Kyle are from everyday moments, such as when he played his favorite instrument. While Kyle was a talented drummer in high school, he had a passion for the piano. “We’d hear it all throughout the day. A lot of times it wasn’t just composing,
COURTESY
By Kenya Robinson @_KenyaJ
W
ith a unique sense of humor and a love for running, Matthew Gaikema will be remembered as an amazing mathematician, a dog lover and a young man who welcomed everyone in his presence and made any person feel special.
Matthew loved caring for others — an action of his which was apparent through his constant ministry at Kingsland Baptist Church’s special needs program. His mother, Wende Gaikema, said she will never forget the time Matthew decided to bring his dog to church in order to put a smile on the other children’s faces. “I have a lifetime of Matt memNOVIKOFF ON PG. 4
ories,” Wende said. “Most recently, the Sunday before he left for school, he had asked that we bring his dog, Apple, to serve in the special needs room at church where he had volunteered throughout high school. Many of them remember Matt from when he served there and it was so sweet to see them light up at his presence.” Eliot Guerin, civil engineering senior, said Matt was the funniest person he ever knew. According to Eliot, a big part of Matt’s legacy was his contribution to the Aggies Memes for Redass Teens Facebook page, which gained several thousand members throughout the fall of 2017. With his clever contributions, Matthew was bound to make any person laugh. “By moderating the page and posting original memes, he created an alternative, do-it-yourself source of comedy for all A&M students,” Eliot said. “The recent satirical campaign for Jeff Zhao as Student Body President started on the page, gained over GAIKEMA ON PG. 4
Holi celebration brings splash of color to campus Traditional Hindu festival marks the start of spring By Jordan Burnham @RJordanBurnham
Dalia Muayad — THE BATTALION
Students celebrate Holi, a Hindu holiday, with a festival of colors on Simpson Drill Field.
Bright colors filled the air as people from all walks of life danced and celebrated the festival of Holi. Despite a short rain shower, students held Holi 2018 on Simpson Drill field
last Sunday. Holi is a Hindu spring festival of colors which celebrates and welcomes all people. Samosas, a traditional Indian snack, were given out for attendees to enjoy, and music blasted through campus. The Indian Graduate Student Association (IGSA), India Association (IA) and Hindu Students Association (HSA) worked together to host Holi. On a campus full of taditions, all were invited to celebrate one from the other side of the world.
One could hear students running up to each other and saying, “Happy Holi” before throwing colorful powder into the air. Taylor Messinger, manufacturing and engineering technology senior, said she enjoyed the unique, energetic atmosphere of the celebration. “I think it’s really cool that strangers come up to you and put color on your face,” Messinger said. “The first time that ever happened to me I was really surprised, and then I just embraced it HOLI ON PG. 3