#WeMetAtTXST: Alumni share their campus love stories

By Brianna Chavez Life & Arts Reporter

In a Fall 2020 Hillviews Magazine article, Jacque Crouse, a former contributor for the publication, collected Bobcat love stories after an overwhelming response of stories were sent to the Texas State Alumni Facebook and Twitter accounts. The hashtag #WeMetAtTXST was created and has continued to be used on social media and the alumni web page every Valentine's Day for couples to share how they met on campus.

Hunter and Quieraney Hornsby

After being convinced by a friend, Hunter Hornsby joined Tinder to try out the dating app. He didn't

SEE VALENTINE'S DAY PAGE 3

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Redeem expect the first person he matched with to be his future wife, Quieraney Hornsby, but it was.

"I went on Tinder not knowing what to expect," Hunter said. "Our relationship felt very natural and progressed in a way that felt right."

When the couple met each other for the first time in the fall of 2018, Hunter was a sophomore and Quieraney was a freshman at Texas State. Their first date was three days long. What originally was going to be an outside picnic for the first date turned into watching library-rented movies and eating snacks on Hunter's dorm room floor after the weather took a turn. The two didn't want to stop hanging out together, so Hunter and Quieraney officially became a couple after he asked her out with a cheesy joke.

Hunter and Quieraney went through highs and lows together. The COVID-19 pandemic proved that they could get through anything with each other. Hunter helped Quieraney seek professional help with her mental health, something for which she appreciated him.

"The fact that he cared enough to help me was big," Quieraney said. "It made me realize what kind of person I want for my kids, someone who will care about them and their mental health."

In 2022, Hunter graduated with a master's in education, and Quiernaney a bachelor's in political science. Just a week before their graduation, Hunter asked Quieraney to be his wife. They plan to have their wedding in July and will celebrate their fifth anniversary in September.

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From Front Grant

Huling said this money was not a need but was accepted by their sponsor, Texas Representative John Carter.

"The Texas congressmen essentially looked at their districts and each thought 'what would benefit my district and help it go forward?'" Huling said. "So our sponsor, John Carter, was able to get the funds for us since they were available."

STEM-for-All’s plan is to help people of all ages think about themselves as science learners and perceive themselves as people who contributes to science.

The grant also impacts the lives of young student interns in a positive way.

Aaron Yeh, a freshman at Westwood High School in Round Rock, is a student intern for the STEM-for-All program. He said that he is looking forward to seeing how the money will help his program.

"I think the money will help with materials and let the kids have a more immersive and hands-on experience," Yeh said. "I feel like it is a significant contribution to help foster education in STEM, and it is absolutely doing its part in supporting education."

Yeh enjoys knowing that he is part of a bigger picture for the world. As an intern, he is involved in building the drones that will be used at future STEM fairs and teaching students at Success High School in Round Rock how to fly the drones.

"I really enjoy knowing that the work I’m helping do is going to help so many kids realize the potential they have in fields of STEM," Yeh said. "I’m helping them build their careers based on something they love."

In the STEM-for-All programs, students learn how math, science and technology help the world, why it is important that people study these subjects and what problems the world currently faces that need to be solved using STEM. Brainstorming ideas, and having critical thinking and problemsolving skills are just some of the things taught in the programs.

One of Yeh's former teachers is also part of this program as a teacher intern.

For more information on the STEM-for-All initiative visit it's website.

Ellen Lukasik, a math teacher at Success High School, is helping students learn more about STEM and what it can do for them and their community.

Lukasik said that she is very excited about these funds and what they will be used for.

"In some ways, this money is a relief," Lukasik said. "I don't know how we're going to continue to do these things in the future without a little bit of funding support."

Lukasik said the money hasn't affected her directly, but if it went to where she is, the money would help with interaction, more STEM program awareness and having events to get more students involved. Despite the $1 million grant, Lukasik said more funding will be needed later on.

"I think we need ongoing initiatives and continuing programs," Lukasik said. "We're going to have to continue to be innovative in our approaches, which, unfortunately, cost money."