The Battalion - December 10, 2018 by The Battalion

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G R A D U A T I O N

E D I T I O N

CONGRATS, DECEMBER GRADS

- your friends at The Battalion

Photos by Cassie Stricker, Jesse Everett. Meredith Seaver, Josh Gleason and Annie Lui — THE BATTALION

Graduation schedule by college

From students to former students The Next Tradition connects graduates to helpful resources By Giselle Warren @GiselleWarren16

FRIDAY, DEC. 14: 9 a.m. - Reed Arena • Engineering 2 p.m. - Reed Arena • Bush School of Government and Public Service • Agriculture and Life Sciences • Geosciences • Medicine • Nursing • Public Health • Science 7 p.m. - Reed Arena • Architecture • Liberal Arts • Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences SATURDAY, DEC.15: 9 a.m. - Reed Arena • Mays Business School • Education and Human Development • Law

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Recent graduates can take professional headshots at the alumni center after their commencement ceremony.

As commencement ceremonies approach, the Association of Former Students is busy preparing for a new class of Texas A&M graduates. The Association helps ease Aggieland’s newest former students into the next stage of their lives by preparing events that celebrate their accomplishments while connecting them to resources like the Find an Aggie alumni directory. This year’s annual post-graduation event, The Next Tradition, will take place Friday and Saturday at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. New graduates will have their achievements honored among family, friends and peers. Additionally, the event will give participants the opportunity to get professional headshots and hear tips on how to get involved with the Aggie Network after graduating. Vice President of Communication and Human Resources Kathryn Greenwade, Class of 1988, said this event helps former students learn how to stay connected. “[They can] learn about ways they can be involved in local A&M clubs and resources that are available to them as graduates of Texas A&M, and it’s a great way to take a moment to celebrate the accomplishment of graduating,”

Greenwade said. This year’s event will also incorporate three toasts to congratulate students on receiving their diplomas. They will be held Friday at 12:18 p.m. and 4:18 p.m. and Saturday at 12:18 p.m. to work around the commencement schedule and represent the graduating class year. Campus and Aggie Ring Program Assistant Amarette Renieri, Class of 2018, said the toast is meant to symbolize the graduates’ transition from students to alumni. “It’s a celebratory thing,” Renieri said. “We want students to feel like they can have that moment with their friends and family — their kind of final moment at A&M. Yeah, they might have already graduated and gotten off the stage at Reed Arena, but this will always be their home at A&M when they come back as former students.” Coordinator of Former Student Programs Amy Hale, Class of 2010, said it’s easy to feel connected to the Aggie Network while in College Station and on campus, but it often seems more difficult to stay in touch when you move away. “Whether you’re moving just down the road to Houston or if you’re moving out of state or even out of the country, we’re here to show them that the Aggie Network is worldwide and that they do have a family outside of College Station that is there for them in any way that they can possibly need them,” Hale said. For more information about The Next Tradition, visit tx.ag/NextTradition.

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The Battalion | 12.10.18

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Check Ring Eligibility: Jan 4 - Feb 12 Order Dates: Jan 7 - Feb 13 Aggie Ring Day: April 12 & 13, 2019 HOW TO GET YOUR AGGIE RING ON APRIL 12 OR 13, 2019: If you meet the requirements after Fall 2018: 1. Log in to AggieNetwork.com beginning Jan. 4 to check your Ring eligibility. (You will need to create an account on this website.)

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2. If eligible, schedule an appointment online to order your Aggie Ring at the Aggie Ring Office. •

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Anthony Pangonas will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

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t is still surprising to me that I am about to walk across the stage and finish my time as a student here at Texas A&M. It was early in my senior year of high school that I figured out A&M was going to be where I took my education further, and it’s nerve-racking to see what will happen after Dec. 14 when I walk away from Aggieland with a diploma in hand. I wouldn’t change a thing about my time here in college – spending countless hours working on the yearbook and newspaper, discovering new things in my studies and making sure I kept up with every task I took on. Without a doubt, my years here at A&M have been some of the busiest I’ve had. They’ve been full of experiences that I will take with me everywhere I go afterward. This last semester has been full of final times for me, and it’s crazy that in three and a half years of walking across this campus, I didn’t think it would end this quickly. From my last research paper as an economics student to designing my last paper for The Battalion over George H.W. Bush to sending off the final proofs for the second yearbook of which I was editor-in-chief — they were all experiences that will help me in one way or another. I’ve held a lot of different titles during my time at Texas A&M. Most of them were at the same time: student, section editor, writer, photographer, assistant sci-tech editor, news editor, page designer and editor-in-chief of the Aggieland Yearbook. While it is sad to give up all these, it’s all worth it for one last title: former student. I am truly thankful for my time at this wonderful school, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thanks and gig ‘em. Anthony Pangonas is an economics senior and news editor for The Battalion.

Sharing science with the world

Visit tx.ag/RingRequirements for information on eligibility requirements for ordering an Aggie Ring.

Texas A&M senior to start NASA communication internship after walking the stage this December By Henry Mureithi @HenryMureithi5

The Association of Former Students is HERE for Aggies during their days as students and former students, THERE for Aggies as they make their way around the world and EVERYWHERE that the Aggie Network needs us to be.

When telecommunication media studies senior Andrea Lloyd graduates this week, she will already have an internship with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Lloyd was selected for a communications internship at the NASA Langley Research Center, focusing on public relations. Specifically, Lloyd will be working on NASA’s 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Landing. “I will be helping to plan and execute the anniversary — the social media and event side of things,” Lloyd said. Lloyd said her passion for science communication is driven both by her love for science and her desire to share it with others. “I am interested in science communication and science public relations, helping the public learn about science in such a way that it helps science move forward as well,” Lloyd said. Before coming to Texas A&M, Lloyd had been interested in NASA’s mission and had hopes of perhaps becoming an astronaut one day. While originally enrolled as a mathematics major, her interests eventually developed in the communication area. Most significant of all was her interaction with former NASA public affairs officer and spokesman Josh Byerly during her fall 2017 strategic communication class. “[Byerly] gave a presentation about communication and public relations with NASA, and that’s when it came on my radar that NASA has communication and public relations opportunities as well,” Lloyd said. “That science needs to be communicated.” The internship is not Lloyd’s first foray into science communication, as she’s gained extensive experience in the field both on and off campus. Lloyd has planned events with the A&M aerospace department, helped with social media and events for conservation nonprofit. The Urban Interface and is currently working with the Texas A&M Sounding Rocketry Team. She also runs her own science communication blog, Learn Loudly. “I try and break down the science so people can understand what’s going on,” Lloyd said. “For example, with The Urban Interface, having peregrine falcons in the class, engaging with the audience after questions back and forth and connecting people with science by bringing a physical representation to them.” Lloyd said the development in space exploration she is most excited about is the privatization of the field and the renewed public interest it has brought.

Aggie Ring Program at (979) 845-1050 | AggieNetwork.com

Megan Rodriguez, Editor in Chief Luke Henkhaus, Managing Editor Taylor Fennell, News Editor Anthony Pangonas, News Editor Jordan Burnham, Asst. News Editor Kathryn Whitlock, Life & Arts Editor Hannah Falcon, Life & Arts Editor Samantha Mahler, Asst. Life & Arts Editor

Angel Franco, Sports Editor Abigail Ochoa, Asst. Sports Editor Cassie Stricker, Photo Chief Jesse Everett, Asst. Photo Chief Daoud Qamar, Video Editor Kevin Christman, Asst. Video Editor Sanna Bhai, Special Sections Editor

THE BATTALION is published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the 2018 fall semester and 2019 spring semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media,a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

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Andrea Lloyd will receive a degree in telecommunication media studies before starting her internship with NASA.

“The public is interested in space exploration again, and that’s one reason why public relations and journalism about space exploration is so important — making sure people understand the importance of NASA and space exploration and how it impacts us on Earth,” Lloyd said. After her internship, Lloyd said she plans to attend graduate school to study science communication and public relations or continue working at NASA or places with similar opportunities. The most important skill for anybody curious about science or science communication is learning how to research and making sure that resources are reputable, Lloyd said. “Make sure the news source you’re reading is credible and make sure you stay interested,” Lloyd said. “Try and help people become included in a culture of communicating, finding and understanding science.”

LET’S BE FRIENDS

Notice of University Student Rule Revisions Additions, deletions and changes to the University Student Rules may occur over the course of the year. The following student rules have been revised: Rule # 39

Rule Soliciting on Campus

Date Student Rule Website Updated November 30, 2018

Each student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with and to comply with the Texas A&M University Student Rules. Student Rules can be found at http://student-rules.tamu.edu.

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 12.10.18

Jesse Everett — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M’s student section won the inaugural Taco Bell Live Más Student Section of the Year award at this year’s College Football Awards show.

Aggie football claims end-of-season honors Mann takes home Ray Guy Award, Texas A&M fans named college football student section of the year By Grant Spika @GrantSpika Another college football regular season has come to a close after Saturday’s Army-Navy matchup and Oklahoma redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray taking home the Heisman Trophy. However, other awards were handed out last week, and Texas A&M football was a big part of the night’s festivities. Junior punter Braden Mann secured the Ray Guy Award at Thursday’s Home Depot College Football Awards show, becoming the first Aggie to do so. Mann blasted punts all year, becoming a real weapon for head coach Jimbo Fisher and the A&M coaching staff. Earlier this year, he broke the record for the highest punt average in a single game, averaging 60.8 yards on five punts against No. 1 Alabama. In the second to last game of the year against University of Alabama-Birmingham, Mann launched

his 14th 60-plus yard punt, beating the NCAA record for most 60-plus yard punts in a game. Mann is also on pace to break a third record for punting average, sitting at 51.15 yards per punt on the year. “This is a huge honor and an absolute blessing for me,” Mann told 12thMan.com. “God has blessed me to be able to have a season like this, but I wouldn’t have been able to do that without my teammates, coaches, family and the 12th Man behind me. I’m happy to finally bring the Ray Guy Trophy back to College Station for the first time after following in the footsteps of great punters before me like Shane Lechler, Drew Kaser and Shane Tripucka.” At the same College Football Awards, the A&M student section that packs Kyle Field every home game won the first ever Taco Bell Live Más Student Section of the Year award. The award is voted on by a committee of ESPN broadcasters and college football analysts, and the 12th Man was the only student section to win Student Section of the Week more than once this season, taking the honors in Week 6 against Kentucky and Week 13 against Louisiana State University. The Aggies and Kyle Field already had the largest student section in the country, and it’s now recognized as the best.

“I’ve been watching the College Football Awards my whole life,” Mann told TexAgs.com. “To be up on stage was surreal. It was really cool, just an awesome experience. The fans have been the best. Obviously the 12th Man won the student section award last night, so there is no disputing it, but I’ve had a lot of great people behind me.” As Mann took home the Ray Guy Award, A&M became the most recent school in Texas to win multiple prominent awards in the world of college football. Such awards include the Heisman Trophy, AP Player of the Year, Butkus Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Outland Trophy, Manning Award and the Wuerffel Trophy. Former A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman, AP Player of the Year, O’Brien and Manning awards, all in 2012. Von Miller, former A&M and current Denver Broncos linebacker, won the Butkus Award in 2010, while former A&M offensive guard Luke Joeckel won the Outland Trophy in 2012. Trevor Knight, former A&M quarterback, secured the Wuerffel Trophy in 2016, and Mann closed up the accolades after winning the Ray Guy Award on Thursday.

HIGH-SCORING GAME PAVES THE WAY shoot that well in the one and two positions, but we did a lot of other good things. We shared the basketball and turned it over early, and then we settled down. It was a good run. It was a good ‘feel-good game’ for our fans.” The second half showed more of the same, with the Aggies remaining in control of the court and finishing with an 84-27 win at home. The 57-point victory is the largest winning margin for A&M since the 88-30 win over Prairie View A&M in 2015. A&M moved to 6-2 record, while Central Arkansas fell to 4-4 on the season. The Aggies were led by sophomore guard Kayla Wells, who finished with 15 points, making for her sixth game this season with 10 points or more. Carter wasn’t far behind, with 14 points, three steals and a season-high seven assists. Johnson added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Aggies, completing her second career double-double performance.

Paul Burke — THE BATTALION

Sophomore guard Chennedy Carter finished the game against Central Arkansas with 14 points and four rebounds.

Women’s basketball breaks team record in home victory over UCA By Abigail Ochoa @AbigailOchoa88 The Texas A&M women’s basketball team earned its biggest win since the 2015-2016 season with a 84-27 victory against the University of Central Arkansas on Saturday at Reed Arena. This weekend’s win was the Aggies’ second in a row, following a 68-52 victory over the University of Houston on Thursday, in which sophomore guard Chennedy Carter returned to the court after being suspended for vio-

lating team attendance rules. Carter led the Aggies against the Cougars with a season high of 25 points. A&M sophomore center Ciera Johnson said there was a different atmosphere on the court that contributed to the team’s success on Saturday. “I feel like our energy and our willingness to compete was the big difference,” Johnson told 12thMan.com. “We just opened our eyes and showed that we had to compete hard, so coming off of that loss, we had a good game against Houston, and coming back home we still had a lot to prove to people. We wanted to come out and execute today and just play hard.” Central Arkansas was unable to get an early

start over the Aggies, falling 23-4 in the first quarter alone. A&M didn’t waste any time getting to the basket and only missed two of its first nine shots. The Aggies led 39 minutes and 17 seconds of the 40-minute game, with their defense working overtime to maintain the large scoring margin. The A&M defense totaled 50 rebounds and 13 steals, miles ahead of Central Arkansas’ 30 rebounds and three steals. A&M’s offense also proved to be dominant, going 33-of-65 in total field goals compared to the Sugar Bears’ 11-of-53. “This was a ball game that I got 12 kids double figure minutes and all of the sudden you can win by over 40,” A&M head coach Gary Blair told 12thMan.com. “We didn’t

“We had a good game against Houston, and coming back home we still had a lot to prove to people. Ciera Johnson, sophomore center

Despite the win, Johnson said the game is only a small part of A&M’s season. She said the experience will prepare everyone for the tougher SEC teams down the road. “We are not playing just to beat University of Central Arkansas,” Johnson told 12thMan. com. “We are playing and competing to try to beat South Carolina, Oregon State, the elite teams in the country and the teams in the SEC.”

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Congratulations to Maintenance

Associate of the Month, Antonio Gallegos

Associates who receive this award are recognized for going above and beyond their normal duties to promote teamwork, unity, a positive attitude, kindness and exceptional customer service. Thank you, Antonio, for all your hard work and dedication to the Trades Shop!

LIFE&ARTS

The Battalion | 12.10.18

Via Student Health Services

A.P. Beutal Health Center is home to Student Health Services and the SHS Pharmacy.

Acing finals, avoiding illness How to help prevent the spread of infection at the end of the semester By Savannah Mehrtens @SJMehrtens Finals week brings many challenges for students, but getting sick doesn’t have to be one of them. An increased number of students visiting Beutel Health Clinic during finals are showing cold and allergy symptoms, according to Catharyn Schmidtke, registered nurse with student health services infection control. However, through proper preventative measures and a balanced diet, colds and the flu will be harder to catch. Dr. Garry Gore, staff physician with student health services, said the most common issue they are seeing at Beutel right now is upper respiratory infections. The infection includes symptoms such as cough, runny nose and nasal congestion. These symptoms could also be caused by seasonal allergies. “It’s very reasonable if you think you have a cold to go ahead and use over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms,” Gore said. “There is no cure for the cold, so we have to just use something that helps us kind of get through until we resolve on our own.” However, the problem with over-thecounter medications is that there are so many choices to treat similar symptoms, Gore said. “Many of them advertise extra strength or, you know, ‘sinus max,’” Gore said. “They promise all this relief, and there’s really no magic bullet. The best decongestant is pseudoephedrine, and it’s going to be sold behind the pharmacy counter. Everything else is going to have a mediocre decongestant in it, and it’s not going to give you much relief.” Vitamins such as zinc and vitamin C can also keep these symptoms from arising, but they have to be built up in the system and taken regularly to have an effect, according

to Gore. “I am a big believer in vitamin C and zinc,” Gore said. “Vitamin C is proven to help prevent the duration and the severity of colds. You’ll still get sick, but maybe not as bad and maybe not as long.” There are ways to prevent spreading illnesses too, such as covering your cough with your sleeve and washing hands frequently, according to Schmidtke. She said it’s likely that finals season has brought people together for studying, which can contribute to the spread of diseases. “People are getting together for studying and probably are under a great deal of stress as well,” Schmidtke said. “This can compromise our immune system, and some of the cold viruses can be communicated during this time of a great deal of social activity.” Megan Windham, registered dietitian at the Beutel Health Center, said some of the common problems she notices with student’s routines during finals are skipping meals, forgetting to eat, eating a lot of fast food and having irregular sleeping patterns. “Compromising nutrition usually happens because it’s easy to grab something less healthy than it is to choose something that you’ve cooked at home or put some thought into — so less nutrient-dense food and a little bit more calorically rich foods,” Windham said. The issue with these types of eating patterns is that the brain is not being fueled properly or regularly, Windham said. Another challenge is choosing the right types of foods to help support the brain and body. “If you think about something grab-andgo — not that it has to be unhealthy but usually that’s a little bit less healthy — versus something that’s maybe filled with fruits and vegetables and lean meats and whole grains, those are all brain boosting foods that really give us the nutrients that we need,” Windham said. Windham recommends planning meals ahead of time and keeping healthy snacks on hand such as trail mix or fruit.

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

On Dec. 7, 2017, Texas A&M enjoyed unexpected snowfall the evening before finals.

Five festive events during winter break Bryan-College Station doesn’t stop being jolly just because classes end. From movies to parties, here are some festive events to keep you in the holiday spirit over winter break no matter what your budget might look like.

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Downtown Bryan Lighted Christmas Parade The only lighted Christmas parade in Bryan-College Station will kick off on 24th and Bryan street on Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Everything from floats to fire engines will be decorated with lights to start out the holiday season.

Breakfast with Santa at The Stella Hotel On Dec. 15 and 22 at 9 a.m., Santa Claus is coming to Bryan-College Station early for a buffet breakfast with photo opportunities and a holiday movie screening. Tickets can be purchased at tx.ag/SantaAtStella.

Century Square Cinema — Holiday Edition Grab dinner at one of Century Square’s many restaurants on Dec. 19, because no outside food or drinks are allowed at this free screening of “The Polar Express” on The Green at Century Square. The movie will start at 7 p.m. and guests are encouraged to bring a blanket.

New Year’s Eve Block T Bar Celebration For guests 21 and older, the Doug Pitcock ‘49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center is hosting a semi-formal New Year’s Eve celebration promising champagne, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, live music and a few surprises. The party is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and has a cover charge of $35.

Hershel’s New Year’s Eve Countdown For those who are on a tight budget or just want to watch the Aggies in the Gator bowl, Hershel’s is hosting a cover-free watch-party for both the game and the Time’s Square ball drop.

Staff Report

Hope amid the Great Depression “Set at Random” shows history through the eyes of Texan protagonist Kenedi Kruger

PROVIDED

Declan Dunne’s “Set at Random: The book that wouldn’t lie down” was released Oct. 4.

@kenedikrug

eclan Dunne finds creative ways to highlight the significance of history through his newest book, “Set at Random.” Dunne manages to express the importance of allowing people to read all types of literature and the difficulty of maintaining passion in a sometimes ruthless world. Overall, the book cleverly takes multiple prompts and combines them into fluid ideas. Dunne’s telling of the story through the point of view of his fiery protagonist — a young homegrown Texan teenager named Set — adds a clever twist to the novel. Having a native Texan who moves to New York to live with an Irish family narrate this story inevitably invites stereotypes in many different forms. Dunne destroys cultural barriers but at the same time acknowledges them, and proves that even those living in the same country are faced with very different challenges. The New York setting that the majority of the book takes place in is vital to the plot. Dunne begins Set’s narrative in Texas during the beginning phases of the Great Depression, so the story starts slowly and somberly. Persistence is necessary at the beginning of the book, but proves to be worth it. Dunne clearly chooses every aspect of his setting wisely, and the shift from rural to urban is purposeful and symbolic of the era in which the book takes place. It is not until Set goes to New York and is ripped from his home that he meets eccentric people who differ greatly from

himself, and is able to find his own way, and begins pursuing a goal that he comes to believe in mightily. Dunne’s modern book set during the time of America’s greatest economic despair will simultaneously leave you disappointed in the past yet hopeful for the future. Set’s blunt and genuine perception of the world brings wit and laughter to the setting. This young boy’s passion for words and excitement for reading will reignite the reader’s own and will have them revisiting their bookshelves for classics. Dunne’s descriptive style helps the reader envision history from a local perspective. Weaving history and fiction, he is able to make readers feel as though they are living within the story and witnessing history, rather than simply reading facts out of a book. Dunne also allows readers to mentally place themselves in the shoes of the confused young people who had no name yet for what the Great Depression was and were unsuccessfully searching for answers as to why the happiness of adults had vanished. “Set at Random” is a historical story that is the polar opposite of any textbook. It blatantly brings up a variety of issues, facts and opinions without revealing to the reader that it is doing so. Dunne is walking a fine line in the writing of this book, and he walks it almost perfectly. Dunne’s “Set at Random” will remind you of how far the United States has come and how far we still have to go both politically and ethically. Kenedi Kruger is an English junior and Life & Arts writer for The Battalion.

OPINION

The Battalion | 12.10.18

Thanks and gig ‘em, Mr. President How George H.W. Bush taught me to represent Aggie core values Taylor Fennell

Photos by Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Battalion news editor Taylor Fennell and photo chief Cassie Stricker flew to Washington, D.C. to cover George H.W. Bush’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Dec. 5.

@TaylorPaige1299

wasn’t a fan of Texas A&M when I made my college decision, but I was a fan of former President George H.W. Bush. When I visited Aggieland for the first time, I was more excited about seeing his presidential library than seeing campus. During my first semester at A&M, I visited the museum nearly every week. It was my happy place. It wasn’t my love for history or politics that kept me coming back; it was the awe I felt for the man honored in the museum. It was my amazement at all of the accomplishments he had seen in his lifetime. It was my desire to learn about George and Barbara Bush and my hope that I could possess the selflessness and leadership they demonstrated so abundantly. Eventually, I began giving my friends tours of the museum as if I worked there. In fact, one volunteer saw me so often she actually thought I did. For me, it was important to ensure other Aggies realized how lucky we were to have the Bush legacy on our campus. As I continued to study the Bushes and involve myself in Aggieland, I realized that George and Barbara were the truest Aggies there are. I realized the values my school held so dear aligned perfectly with the lives of the Bush family, and I began seeing myself change. While I found myself falling in

love with A&M for many reasons, the Bushes played a large role in lighting that fire. In April, I was the first Battalion staff member to hear the tragic news about Barbara Bush’s passing. I called my editor, said I was on the way to the library and wanted to help honor her in any way possible. We released a story on her death, and just a few days later, published an incredible Muster tribute paper with Barbara Bush gracing the front page. When Barbara Bush’s burial grounds were opened to the public, I joined the Bush Library staff in being some of the first to view her grave. It was incredibly moving to see that she was buried beside her daughter Robin, who passed away due to childhood leukemia. That day, the massive loss our country faced really sank in. A few months and several library visits later, a heartbreaking dose of déjà vu was headed my way. Last Friday, I again called my editor about a loss that would shake the world. Our weekend was dedicated to breaking the news to the rest of Aggieland and trying to register it for ourselves. It can be difficult to understand something as life-altering as that. That’s how I felt as I flew back to Texas after attending the 41st president’s funeral in Washington, D.C. Being in a room with world leaders who have all come together to honor the life of a man who has tremendously impacted our lives is the most surreal feeling in the world. As I listened to the speakers de-

scribe a man who taught me so much, I realized how incredible George H.W. Bush really was. He taught the world about the value of selfless service. He showed his family what it meant to love someone so much that you would want nothing more than to see them shine. He displayed a kind of leadership which was not accompanied by hatred — something I wish was more common today. As I reflected on the lessons George H.W. Bush taught us, his son began to speak those exact same words. I listened to the 43rd president tell the world of the lessons he learned from his father. And when he struggled to fight back tears, I did the same. So now, more than ever before, it is my mission to exhibit the Aggie core values in everything I do, because it is what George H.W. Bush did and what he would expect of each of us. Respect, excellence, loyalty, leadership, integrity and selfless service will forever guide my actions, and I hope each Aggie I know will hold me to that commitment. So thank you, Mr. President, for everything you have taught me. Thank you for providing an amazing place for me to be inspired in my own college town. And thank you for showing me how beautiful the Aggie Spirit can be. Thanks and gig ‘em, Mr. President. Taylor Fennell is a telecommunication media studies sophomore and news editor for The Battalion.

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$10 for 20 words running 5 days, if your merchandise is priced $1,000 or less (price must appear in ad). This rate applies only to non-commercial advertisers offering personal possessions for sale. Guaranteed results or you get an additional 5 days at no charge. If item doesn’t sell, advertiser must call before 1 p.m. on the day the ad is scheduled to end to qualify for the 5 additional insertions at no charge. No refunds will be made if your ad is cancelled early.

FOR RENT 2 bedroom, beautiful duplex for rent, spacious, big backyard, many eloquent extras with washer and dryer, one week free, tranquil, 3 minutes from campus, 936-218-3516

HELP WANTED Tutors wanted for all subjects currently taught at TAMU/Blinn and Sam Houston State starting at $10/hour. Apply online at www.99Tutors.com 979-255-3655.

HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $75-$150/hr, up to $500/day. No experience. aggieresponse@gmail.com Child care center seeking part time help. Please apply in person at Fit for Kids 3609 East 29th Street Bryan. 979.846.1143 Part-time cleaning, day and evening, Monday-Friday. Call 979-823-1614 for interview. Full-time medical technician needed for busy specialty practice. Duties include rooming patients, injections, triage, and testing. On job training available, ideal position for a future medical or physician assistant student. Spanish language skills and medical office experience a plus. Competitive salary and benefits. Please fax resume to 979-776-5624. Work around your class schedule! No Saturday or Sundays, off during the holidays. The Battalion Advertising Office is hiring an Advertising Sales Representative. Must be enrolled at A&M and have reliable transportation. Interested applicants should come by our office located in the MSC, Suite 400, from 8am-4pm, ask to speak with Joseph.

REAL ESTATE CS 116 Fraternity Row, 3/2 Condo, new carpet/14 SEER HVAC, shuttle, near new HEB, $159,900, Michael, TAMU'93 Civil Engineering, 979-739-2035, mcgranntx@yahoo.com; Nadia 979-777-6211, mail@nadiarealty.com Town&Country Realty. Hablamos Espanol!

PETS Beautiful, lively, gentle and loving 10-12wk/old kitten. Housebroken, spotted brown tabby needs loving home preferably with other pets. Text David for pictures. 979-777-0518.

MUSIC Private Piano/Voice Instruction. Pianist/Vocalist for Weddings and Special Events. Call Scott today at 979-204-0447. www.brazosmusicgroup.com

ANSWERS

to todays puzzles

OPINION

The Battalion | 12.10.18

EDITORIALBOARD

The Battalion covers national news from a student perspective

his past week was a whirlwind in the Battalion newsroom as the eyes of the nation turned to College Station to bid farewell to 41st President George H.W. Bush. The news of Bush’s death was announced on Nov. 30 and while it was a shock, it was a day that many knew was approaching. For years the former president’s health was a regular subject on national news, but for everyone at Texas A&M, it was an even greater concern. Bush has been a familiar figure at the university since his presidential library and school of public service opened on campus in 1997. He was known for showing up to sporting events and graduation celebrations, and countless students and faculty have personal stories of meeting the former president on campus. This kind of connection is no small thing. It is incredible to say that a commander in chief and Ivy League alumnus would place so much value and care into Aggieland. It was this tie, this president’s love for A&M, that made him a part of this campus. It was the reason he held the attention of Battalion staffers for years. Before anyone currently working in our

newsroom was even on staff, plans were being made to honor this incredible man. We knew telling his story would be no small task, and we took the responsibility incredibly seriously. Bush passed away late on a Friday. Our staff had just gone home a few hours before, after working an extra production night to start editing this semester’s Maroon Life magazine. Minutes after Bush’s death was announced on Twitter by family spokesperson Jim McGrath, an emergency meeting was called, and every available editor reported to the newsroom for further instruction. That night, we posted Bush’s obituary, wrote an article about reactions from campus and world leaders and covered an impromptu vigil that was organized by students hours after his passing. That was only the beginning. For the next week, we worked day and night, many of us coming in between classes and others staying up to plan and coordinate until 5 or 6 a.m. Staff members paid their own travel expenses to ensure we covered every stop along the funeral route, from Washington, D.C., to Houston and finally to College Station.

Going to these extreme lengths came naturally to our staff because if there’s one thing that studying journalism has taught us, it’s that perspective matters. The person telling the story should be qualified and relevant. At The Battalion, that means students telling the stories of fellow students and reporting on news that we know first-hand matters to them. In this case, reporting on national news from a university that Bush loved so much gave us a unique angle — a new perspective to use as we told the story of his life, legacy and funeral ceremonies. We were able to produce articles about former Battalion staff members who interviewed Bush when they were still students and what that experience meant to them. We dug through old copies of our publication and the Aggieland Yearbook to find past coverages of Bush’s time skydiving on A&M’s campus. We spoke with campus leaders about how Bush touched their lives. We had the chance to reach voices unique to our university and particularly relevant to our readership. So now, 30 articles and two eightpage special editions later, we are looking back at how we covered the first

presidential funeral in over a decade. We made our mistakes, and we have areas we wish we could have improved, but we know we did everything in our power to tell his story as well as we possibly could. It is an imperfect tribute to a man who meant more to the university and the nation than most of us could ever fully understand. We hope that when you picked up a paper or looked at the website this past week, you saw George H.W. Bush through the eyes of Aggieland. We hope you came to understand just a little bit more about the president who called this place his home.

The Battalion’s editorial opinion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor-in-chief having final responsibility. Megan Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief Luke Henkhaus Managing Editor

Photos by Jesse Everett and Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

The Battalion sent reporters and photographers to Washington, D.C., Houston and College Station to cover nearly every stop along George H.W. Bush’s funeral and burial route.

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