The Battalion: Feb. 6, 2020 by The Battalion

Silver Taps

Wesley Donald Sanders May 2, 2000 - Dec. 1, 2019

Maegan Ellen Sanders Sept. 26, 1997 - Dec. 1, 2019

Roberto Acosta-Lopez June 9, 2001 - Dec. 4, 2019

Andrew Evan Brightwell Sept. 5, 1996 - Dec. 8, 2019

Lela Justeen Burney Sept. 28, 2000 - Dec. 27, 2019

TRIBUTES ON PAGES 4 & 5

Helping Aggies ACHIEVE success

Angelina Alcantar — THE BATTALION

Aggie ACHIEVEMates are partnered with students of Aggie ACHIEVE to be a friend and support system.

ACHIEVE students begin second semester with job opportunities, newfound independence By Marina Garcia @margar211

tudents in the Aggie ACHIEVE program completed their first semester with positive results. The Academic Courses in Higher Inclusive Education and Vocational Experiences (ACHIEVE) program started last fall, giving five students with intellectual or developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience college life. The students live on campus, take courses and are given an on-campus internship. Carly Gilson, faculty director of Aggie ACHIEVE, said the students in their first semester were able to adjust to the college lifestyle smoothly. “[They] learned their way around campus, be among friends through the Aggie ACHIEVEMates organization,” Gilson said. “Our students have really adjusted well.” This semester, students are starting their internships, which was something not done in their fall semester, Gilson said. The on-campus internships work to give each student the opportunities to intern for the MSC, Kyle Field and Chartwells.

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Voting by mail is one way students can exercise their right to vote in their home county.

“It will be a component of the program every semester from here after, so they’ll have on campus internships,” Gilson said. “We just [have] students all over campus just getting those employment skills.” Special education sophomore Anna Fedewa is the president of Aggie ACHIEVEMates. The organization works with Aggie ACHIEVE to provide each student with 12-15 ACHIEVEMates, which become the student’s “circle.” The circle works to be a support system for the Aggie ACHIEVE students as well as be their friend. “All of our ACHIEVE students have paired ACHIEVEMates that fill specific roles for them,” Fedewa said. “They’re just getting flexible, fluid and comprehensive support from all of their ACHIEVEMates.” While students have support from their Aggie ACHIEVEMates, Gilson said she’s seen each student grow through learning how to do things on their own. Thomas Carrizal, a student in the Aggie ACHIEVE program, said he likes living in White Creek Apartments because it has made him more independent. “[I’m] able to do my own chores, like dishes [and] laundry … and cleaning my room in the apartment as well,” Carrizal said. Fedewa said she has seen how the students and ACHIEVEMates have been able to form a genuine friendship in just one semester. “ACHIEVEMates really know what these students are going ACHIEVE ON PG. 2

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Drag performer Vitamin B performed a Lady Gaga-based routine for her audition.

Navigating the vote Putting the ‘Ag’ in ‘drag’ Out-of-county residents can choose to vote with alternative methods By Spencer Belyea @SpencerBelyea The Iowa caucus is now complete, and the 2020 election season is in full swing. While first-time voters play a big part in any election, it may be challenging to navigate the voting process. Since voter registration is by county, Texas A&M students who previously lived outside Brazos County may want to either switch their registration or receive an absentee ballot by mail from their home county. Early voting

is also an option if voting on Election Day is inconvenient. There are many tools available to assist students through the process, said Stephen Chang, director of communications in the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. “The best way for A&M students to get registered to vote and to help make an impact is for them to visit www.VoteTexas. gov,” Chang said. “This is where they can check to see if they’re already registered or find out how to register if they haven’t done so already.” If a student wishes to re-register to vote in Brazos County rather than vote by absentee ballot, they’d follow the same process as those VOTING ON PG. 2

DRAGgieland auditions welcome performers for upcoming show By Celeste Estrada @celeste_ae Texas A&M prepares for its first on-campus drag event with DRAGgieland auditions, featuring Monique Heart from RuPaul’s Drag Race. MSC Town Hall and the LGBTQ+ Pride Center have partnered to host auditions for DRAGgieland 2020. The auditions were held at the Rudder Forum on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 7 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. Students and community members

A high-energy concert celebration of contemporary a cappella!

who auditioned had four minutes to impress a panel of three judges consisting of members of MSC Town Hall, the Pride Center and Make-Up Artists of Aggieland (MUA AGS). MSC Town Hall will share news of participation in DRAGgieland 2020 with contestants in the following week. The contestants will compete in front of a crowd on Wednesday, Feb. 19, where Heart and the audience will decide who will be crowned “Queen of DRAGgieland 2020.” Bioenvironmental science junior Sophie Gonzalez is the special events executive of MSC Town Hall. She pioneered the efforts of bringing a drag event to Texas A&M, inspired by conversation and emails received DRAGGIELAND ON PG. 2

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The Battalion | 2.6.20

VOTING CONTINUED who are not registered to vote anywhere in the state. Students have two options, said Trudy Hancock, the county’s administrator. “They can either come to the county’s office in Bryan or fill out the application online,” Hancock said. “However, if you fill out the application online, you still have to mail it in.” No identification is necessary to register, and the deadline to register is always 30 days before the election in question, Hancock said. The deadline for the Fall 2020 election is Oct. 6. For early voting, there are five polling places voters registered in Brazos County can go, including the MSC. Early voting always takes place two weeks prior to the election. This year’s primary election is on March 3, so early voting will be open from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28. If students choose to re-register in Brazos County, it is important to note they would not be able to vote in their home state or county, by mail or otherwise, so they need to consider which choice they prefer. Many students choose to utilize the ballot by mail option, especially if they are out of state or country on election day. If a student is overseas, such as on a study abroad, Hancock recommends using the Federal Postcard

ACHIEVE CONTINUED through, they can relate to them as college students,” Fedewa said. “They really get to walk alongside them when things are hard or when things are good. They’ve really integrated them into their lives.” Fedewa said the organization is always looking for new members to join at the start of every semester. Gilson said Aggie ACHIEVE is going to add more students

Application. Through this process, students can receive their ballot overseas and then return it so it will be counted in their home county. Blane Counsil, agricultural economics and public policy graduate student, said the process is exceptionally easy. “The form was self-explanatory, and I returned it to the address on the document,” Counsil said. “After I got in touch with the county, they send the document to you and then you follow the instructions.” While the process is generally seen as straightforward, it is time sensitive. As a result, election officials stress the importance of having complete forms and meeting deadlines. “Students often don’t put their complete address on their registration forms, which slows down the process,” Hancock said. If a form is incomplete, it can still be completed even under the 30 day deadline, as long as the initial paperwork was turned in on time. Voting in elections is important to A&M students since many of them will be participating in a presidential election for the first time. Counsil said voting is something he makes an effort to do no matter where he is. “Living in a democratic republic, it is our responsibility to voice our opinion in each election,” Counsil said. Visit www.VoteTexas. gov and www.BrazosVotes. org for more details.

next fall. “We actually just closed our applications and are in the process now of making some admission decisions for next fall,” Gilson said. “We expect to have eight students in next year’s cohort.” Carrizal said the program has helped him learn more about his disabilities, and he enjoys spending time with his Aggie ACHIEVEMates. “It really has helped me a lot to really get out of my comfort zone,” Carrizal said.

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Clockwise from top left: Drag performer Sir Loin performed a medley of Lizzo songs. Deavan Lee performed a tribute to her sister with the song “Praying” by Ke$ha. Malibu Von Schweetz performed a rendition of “My Heart Will Go On” including a solo on the recorder. Jessy B Darling had a “Legally Blonde” based performance including audio clips from the movie.

DRAGGIELAND CONTINUED after attending the National Association of Campus Activities conference last February. Gonzalez said there’s been mostly positive feedback in response to the marketing of the event. “It is pushing the envelope and it is different, so we’re definitely ready,” said Gonzalez. “Hopefully it’s successful enough to make this happen again.” Gonzalez said Town Hall is excited to shift their focus from the music aspect of their slogan, “bringing music and entertainment to campus,” to entertainment through DRAGgieland 2020. Through the partnership with the LGBTQ+ Pride Center and the help of MUA AGS, MSC Town Hall has been able to cover the bases of hosting a drag event, she said. “As the MSC, we want to bring di-

versity to campus, so it’s exciting to do that and have an outlet to do that,” said Gonzalez. Engineering sophomore Erik Fontaney is the president and founder of MUA AGS. As a judge of the DRAGgieland auditions, Fontaney was looking for stage presence, uniqueness, originality and Rudder guideline conformity. He said he loved the auditions and wished the contestants good luck. “I’m really happy that this event is happening, I feel like it’s good for the A&M community,” said Fontaney. “It’s making us more diverse. Events on campus right now that are LGBT focused are not known that much; only LGBT students go to those events, but since this is a major event, it’s reaching the whole A&M campus, so everyone will be able to participate because they know about it.” Self-proclaimed diva Vitamin B has

been performing drag for the past three years, with events and shows in Kemah and Bryan-College Station. She became aware of the A&M event through her “drag daughter,” Jessy B. Darling. Along with Vitamin B’s desire to meet Heart, she likes the locals and loves to entertain crowds. “I think this would be a cute opportunity to have a bunch of queens and new people come in and do what they want to do,” said Vitamin B. Vitamin B auditioned with Lady Gaga’s unreleased, leaked song, “Stupid Love.” She said the audition went amazingly. “Drag is excellence; drag is important,” said Vitamin B. “Self-expression of gender, sexuality, it’s beauty, it’s just something that I think is fun, exciting, not taken too seriously.”

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Downtown Bryan’s Queen Theatre will play “Groundhog Day” at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 during First Friday.

Cultivating community in Downtown Bryan First Friday offers entertainment alternatives for community, visitors By Jennifer Streeter @jennystreeter3 Skip Northgate on Feb. 7 for First Friday in historic Downtown Bryan, a something-for-everyone event featuring live music, food options and locally owned shops. Beginning at 5 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, the streets in front of the Queen Theatre are blocked off for sidewalk-chalk drawing, games and family friendly activities, according to the Bryan Association website. From tattoo artistry to craft breweries, the downtown shops typically attract 3,000 to 5,000 visitors – including an ever-growing

number of college students – who stroll the brick-edged sidewalks until around 11 p.m., said Hannah Hernandez, the Downtown Bryan Association’s event coordinator. Hernandez said First Friday is centered around local businesses, mobile food vendors, street performers and nonprofit organizations, while the second monthly event, Third Thursday Art Step on Feb. 20, will also draw crowds to Downtown. Plans are underway for a March 20 event which Hernandez said is geared toward college students. What sets First Friday in Downtown Bryan apart from other events are the local businesses that often have special hours and attractions for the night, Hernandez said. “First Friday is probably, as a lot of businesses would say, their busiest night of the year,” Hernandez said. “We have so many

people down here, and just with them participating there’s always new people coming down to First Friday.” Rx Pizza and Bar manager Randy Cesar also said First Friday is their busiest night of the month, with a packed patio and up to two-hour wait time. Those on the waitlist for dinner and drinks can continue to stroll until a text notifies them an Rx table is ready. The kitchen and bar stay open until 2 a.m. on First Friday, according to their website. Ramblin’ Rose Mercantile owner Brandy Klintworth is Bryan born and raised and said she has seen First Friday evolve over the past 15 years into something that features a wide range of free live music throughout downtown. Klintworth said her shop stays open until between 10:30 and 11 p.m., and she often creates special attractions for the shop’s

“shoulder-to-shoulder” First Friday visitors. First Friday was created by Greta Watkins in October 2005 to bring people into her business, The Frame Gallery, at a time when Downtown Bryan was undergoing street and sidewalk renovations. The Downtown Bryan Association took over coordinating the event when it grew to encompass all of downtown. Hernandez described First Friday as the state-designated cultural district’s signature event. Watkins recalled the early days when other downtown businesses started to join her in staying open late and feature local artists and musicians once a month. “It’s very gratifying to come up with something that will hopefully last beyond my involvement,” Watkins said.

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SILVERTAPS

The Battalion | 2.6.20

Silver Taps September 26, 1997 — December 1, 2019

MAEGAN ELLEN SANDERS A brilliant student who valued her family above all By Sanna Bhai @BhaiSanna

aegan Sanders was a strong, remarkably smart young woman who longed to become an accounting professor.

Soon-to-be-bride Maegan had a passion for learning and teaching. She was a beloved member of MSC Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow as an undergrad and an active member of the business honors program. Her parents, Scott and Joan Sanders, have always been immensely proud of her accomplishments, and when they realized the impact Maegan had on others they were overwhelmed. “We have had a significant number of people comment about the wisdom she had,” her parents agreed. “We always know how incredibly brilliant she was, but it was special to hear not only that others noticed it as well, but also commented on how humble she was about it and how gracious she was with that gift.” Not only was she an accounting undergrad student, but she was also pursuing her masters in accounting in the accelerated program. As an undergrad student, Maegan was in accounting professor Nate Sharp’s class in the fall of 2017. She continued to excel in Accounting 327, one of Sharp’s hardest accounting classes to get into the masters program to the extent that he had never seen before. “Maegan was probably the most brilliant student I have ever taught in 13 years of teaching here,” Sharp said. “I will never forget that on my second midterm, Maegan got a perfect 100 on the test, and I don’t think that has ever happened before. Believe me, my tests are really hard. And on her third midterm, she got a 100 a second time.” Maegan eventually became a teaching assistant for Sharp for two full school years. Sharp understood Maegan as an individual since they spent consecutive hours grading papers and teaching students. Sharp said he was continuously amazed by the humbleness Maegan portrayed, despite being as brilliant as she was. “She never used her intelligence to make others feel less than her or feel small,” Sharp said. “She was so kindhearted. She was very welcoming, approachable and down to earth. She was always happy, you never saw her without a smile on her face. I think what made it more special was how humble she was about her intelligence.” Always amazed by Maegan’s intelligence, Sharp said he remembers a day when Meagan was his TA, and he had given out exam reviews to his students. In five years of using the same material, Maegan was the only one to find mistakes that had

PROVIDED

Maegan Sanders had an undergraduate degree in management information systems and was pursuing her masters in management information systems through the accelerated program.

been made. This surprise assured him of her talents. Her knowledge earned her a nomination for a prestigious year-long contract with the Federal Accounting Standards Board in Connecticut. The honor is only given to one student every year from the accounting masters program, and in 2019 it was offered to Meagan. However, since the job was to start soon after her wedding, she declined the offer to stay with her family. This was a decision that both her parents and Sharp were incredibly touched by. “This choice would have separated her from her fiancé and family for another year after graduating,” said her parents. “Af-

ter much turmoil and contemplation, she made the relationships in her life her priority.” Maegan had accepted a job offer to Ernest and Young, but when she was in Sharp’s research class she decided that one day she would return to school to pursue her Ph.D. and spread her brilliance as a professor. “She told me that one of her dreams was to go back and get her Ph.D. in accounting so that she could become a faculty member,” Sharp said. “Her gift was teaching and critical thought and everything. I think she would have been just fantastic.”

May 2, 2000 — December 1, 2019

WESLEY DONALD SANDERS

A dedicated Aggie who cared for his relationships By Brady Stone @bradystonex

espect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service are traits many Aggies strive to embody, but for Wesley Sanders, these traits were a part of his legacy that his friends and family will keep with them. As a business honors sophomore and a member of several campus organizations and activities, Welsey was a dedicated student and an involved member of the Aggie community. “[Wesley] always wanted to be all in,” Wesley’s parents Scott and Joan Sanders agreed. “He set that goal as a freshman and wanted to get the full Aggie experience.” Wesley embraced his goal of wanting to be all in by becoming a Fish Camp counselor and a member of the Sophomores Advancing in Leadership (SAIL) Social Committee, two organizations that seemed fitting to his mother. “Wesley was very passionate about Fish Camp and SAIL. He was very big on his friends and family around him and spreading his love,” Wesley’s friend, management sophomore Presley Luce, said. “I didn’t know much of his interaction with his DG family from Fish Camp, but I can only imagine that he was the most amazing role model for them.” Wesley’s Fish Camp partner, public health sophomore Sterling Walterscheid, said he always strove to connect with people, whether that was his family, his friends or even strangers. “A quote I saw pretty soon after he passed said, ‘Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody,’ and I really think that is what he embodied in his everyday life,” Walterscheid said. “He took every second as a new opportunity to make someone feel better. He was so easy to talk to and he always took life seriously, but he was always someone you could goof around with.” Wesley’s character was undeniable, and Luce said he was someone Aggies should use as an example. “When I think of A&M and I think of how we’re supposed to treat others, being selfless and having respect for others, he is the complete embodiment of everything that I think being an Aggie is about,” Luce said. Wesley’s parents said he may not have lived the life he anticipated, but in the short amount of time he had, he accomplished the things that were important to him. “We recently found an index card that Wes had written as a high school sophomore where he had written the five goals of his life: have a relationship with God, be close to family, have

PROVIDED

Business honors sophomore Wesley Sanders was involved across campus including Fish Camp and Sophomores Advancing in Leadership (SAIL).

money, travel and attend A&M,” his parents said. “At age 19, he had accomplished all of those goals, maybe not in the capacity that he had envisioned when writing it, but nonetheless accomplished the words that he wrote.” Wesley will be remembered by his friends and his family as someone who lived his life to the fullest and was a natural friend who made all feel welcome.

“The biggest thing that people should take from Wes is learning to be intentional with every relationship you have,” Luce said. “Just don’t take your time here on this Earth for granted because Wesley lived every day to the fullest and it really showed. You could feel his love pouring out every time you saw him.”

SILVERTAPS

The Battalion | 2.6.20

June 9, 2001 — December 4, 2019

ROBERTO ACOSTA-LOPEZ A dedicated student and friend to all By Julia Potts @juliaapotts

esde una temprana edad, Roberto Acosta-Lopez siempre era feliz. No importaba si estaba haciendo sus aficiones o quehaceres en su casa, siempre tenía una sonrisa en su cara. Roberto enjoyed his own activities, such as exercising and playing the viola, and still found time to do all of his schoolwork and chores without complaint. The 18-year-old was studying general engineering at A&M, hoping to get his bachelors in two years, and had plans to go to graduate school after. Noemi Lopez, Roberto’s mother, said he was always very nice as a child. He would stay on top of his chores and was good to his family. “He was never a mean guy,” Noemi said. “He would always be a good boy. He kept his room clean. You know, some parents struggle raising their kids, but with Roberto, I never struggled. He was always obedient, doing his homework and working, picking up after himself.” Also as a child, Roberto enjoyed music, specifically playing the viola. For him, music was a way to deal with any upsetting situation. “He played it throughout the three years of middle school and all four of high school,” Noemi said. “He would say that playing would give him peace. Whenever he would get upset or stressed, he would play and play and play, and then he would come out calm.” When he came to A&M, Roberto was always adamant

via Instagram

Engineering freshman Roberto Acosta-Lopez intended to graduate and work towards a masters degree.

about doing his work and strived to do well in all aspects of his life. “He always strived to have a high GPA,” Noemi said. “He liked going to A&M. He was studying engineering. He already had 68 credits.” Like many college students, Roberto questioned what he wanted to do in college and his life. He had considered chang-

ingwhat to study. “About two weeks before the accident, he called me saying that he wanted to change his career, because he couldn’t see himself as an engineer his whole life because he wanted to help young people like himself,” Noemi said. “I told him to ask God for guidance, and I told him that he should go to church and pray on it. A couple days later he called me again after going to confession, and he let me know he was going to stick to engineering and even get a masters.” Roberto had high aspirations for his college career and did his best to make sure he excelled in his studies. “He told me, ‘I’m going to finish my bachelor’s in two years, but don’t think I am leaving A&M just yet. I want to get my master’s here,’” Noemi said. “He was always very applied to his studies. He would always be three homeworks ahead. He would never wait to the last minute.” Noemi said Roberto was very happy at A&M. Though his time here was short, he loved studying and living in College Station. “He would make us drive over to visit him,” Noemi said. “He never wanted to leave. Even though he only was there for a short amount of time, he was happy to be part of the Aggie family.” Roberto was happy, but he lived to make others even happier. Those in his life were thankful for his presence and miss him greatly. “I want people to remember him as a happy young man, full of life, a lot of dreams,” Noemi said. “A good friend, a good son, a good brother to his sisters. He would always worry about everyone else before himself, and he was always happy to help.”

September 5, 1996 — December 8, 2019

ANDREW EVAN BRIGHTWELL A passionate learner who always wanted to help By Jane Turchi @JaneTurchi

ne of the many things friends and family learned from Andrew is to “be brave and courageous always, even in the face of adversity.”

A loyal friend, brother, uncle and son, Andrew Brightwell made an impact in the lives of those whom he loved through his selfless heart, passion for learning and bright smile. A geographic information systems technology sophomore, Andrew enjoyed the outdoors, often taking hunting and fishing trips with his father Dwight. For Dwight, some of the most fun trips involved Andrew and his father enjoying the camaraderie of being together. “He’d get tickled about something, if I was having a hard time getting a fish in, he would get to laughing at me,” Dwight said. “When Andrew would laugh, he would laugh so hard that he’d cry – you know – he just couldn’t hardly see because his cheeks would just cover up his eyes.” Even while away from home, Andrew ensured he stayed in touch with his family. By doing things such as sending a good morning text or attending his niece’s dance recitals, Andrew always showed his love for his family. Eating ice cream out of the tub at the neighbors’ and making up new games to play were some of the memories that Andrew and his sister Avery shared. Avery was always inspired by his strong work ethic and learned many things from Andrew. “When I think about him lately it’s just him smiling. His smile was so big and happy, and he would just get so happy,” Avery said. “He would get so happy he would have tears coming out of his eyes and I loved that.” Avery recalls Andrew being very calm, but very silly. Andrew was especially silly with her four-year-old daughter. “He loved his niece so much,” Avery said. “She looked up to him because he was the fun uncle. He would always be

PROVIDED

Geographic information systems and technology sophomore Andrew Brightwell will be remembered for his smile and work ethic by his sister Avery.

so proud of her – be very involved in what she was doing. He was always involved, and we were close even though we lived kind of far.” After being invited to visit campus with some friends from Boy Scouts who attended A&M, Andrew was impressed by the Aggie Band and fell in love with the traditions. Andrew always dreamed of being an Aggie. After walking around campus, Andrew would call his dad to share everything about his day. “He was really glad to get to go to A&M, he was very excited to get accepted,” Dwight said. “He walked every

inch of that campus, and he would call me in the evening or he would send pictures, and he’d tell me about everything he learned and what he’d seen and who he had met and where they were from.” At any time Andrew would call his father to share everything he had learned that day. “He’d just send me a text or he’d just call me and he’d just say, ‘Hey dad,’”Dwight said. “Following that one phrase was anything you ever didn’t know.” Andrew was an Eagle Scout from Sealy, Texas, and a three-time marksmanship state champion. Andrew enjoyed swimming, kayaking and cooking with the scouts on camping trips. “In Scouts, he was always into the adventure with his friends and and the other scouts in his patrol there,” Dwight said. “He was a good friend, he was a loyal friend to everybody and he was loyal to us as a family too. He just loved everybody. He would worry about other people before he worried about himself.” Andrew and his mother Shawn shared a passion for cooking and sharing recipes. Shawn recalls special mother-son dinners and a special trip to Washington, D.C., after Andrew’s graduation. “We would take cooking classes together, and then we could compare recipes or he’d be sending pictures of what he was making for dinner, you know, things like that,” Shawn said. “That was something special that we shared together.” Shawn recalls Andrew leading her on a tour of campus after attending A&M for a couple of weeks. Andrew especially enjoyed attending football games and Breakaway services on campus. “He was such a good young man growing up and as he became a man, it was obvious that he was going to touch people and he was going to do things that were extraordinary, you know, in his own way.” Dwight said. “It might not have been known to anybody else, but he was going to make an impact in peoples’ lives.”

September 28, 2000 - December 27, 2019

LELA JUSTEEN BURNEY Leader, lover, everybody’s best friend By Hannah Falcon @hannahfalcon_

ela Justeen Burney was a classic all-American girl. She was athletic, smart and faithful. However, her friends and family remember her goofiness and spontaneity more than her many accomplishments. The East Texas native loved her hometown, Tatum, and the people in it more than anything. Lela came to Texas A&M in the fall of 2019 to study kinesiology and education in the hopes that one day she would return to Tatum to be a coach and high school teacher. Her mother, Andria Tovar, said she wanted to give back to the town that had given her so much. Tatum remembers Lela through their hashtag devoted to her, #LeadandLoveLikeLela. Cheerleading, softball and volleyball were huge parts of Lela’s life. Aside from participating in each sport at her high school, Lela coached club cheerleading and volleyball. Tovar fondly remembered how Lela cared about the younger girls. She recounted a time after a camp that Lela set aside taking pictures with her friends to spend more time with the younger campers. “While everybody else was out there taking pictures with their friends, Lela was out there taking pictures with all the younger kids,” Tovar said. “A lot of the younger girls looked up to her and she was their role model.” When she was younger, Lela made a pact with two of her best friends that they would attend A&M together one day. Although she lost one of those friends, Lela kept her pact and attended their dream school with enough spirit and enthusiasm for the both of them. Tovar said Lela cared deeply about her

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Kinesiology freshman Lela Burney had a passion for sports and coaching.

friends and family, and always made sure they felt loved. “In our community in Tatum, we’ve lost several kids to car accidents in the last four years,” Tovar said. “As soon as she heard about it, she wanted to run to be at their family’s side or with their friends. Her connections and her friendships and her family were very important to her.” Lela cultivated many deep friendships. Her mother noted that no one ever considered Lela an acquaintance, as she was everyone’s best friend. Lela and her roommate, allied health freshman Emily Liedtke, were friends from competitive cheerleading in high school.

Liedtke said the two of them spent nearly every moment together during the fall semester. From getting Chick-fil-a between classes to movie nights to just hanging out at home, Lela was always there to put a smile on her face. “In the mornings if I was asleep or even if I was taking a shower or something, she would just walk in there just so happy, no matter how early it was,” Liedtke said. “She would walk in there so happy and just talking my ear off. That’s how we got so close, we were just constantly together even at home.” The two roommates made quick friends with political science freshman Daniel Mancha and his roommate, Adrian Avita. “[Lela] would just say ‘Hey, do you want to go to Daniel and Adrian’s?’” Liedtke said. “Half the time they didn’t even know we were coming, we would just show up, and eat all their cereal and drink all their water.” Mancha didn’t know Lela before college, but he said the two of them grew very close. Mancha described Lela similarly to the way the rest of her friends and family described her: always going 100 miles per hour. “Everytime we would call or text, she was working, doing something, she was grocery shopping with Emily, she was watching a movie, they were just doing some of the dumbest stuff you could imagine,” Mancha said. “It was so random. It was always just random with her, but that’s what made her so compassionate and such a vibrant person.” Reflecting on their time with Lela left her friends with smiles on their faces. “She was always trying to make jokes, but she wasn’t ever really that funny,” Tovar said. “She would do silly things trying to make people laugh.

OPINION

The Battalion | 2.6.20

Creative Commons

The Women’s March is important for activists such as Columnist Keerthana Rameshbabu, who has been politically active for five years.

Why we still march Columnist Keerthana Rameshbabu discusses the solidarity of protesting, importance of persistence

Keerthana Rameshbabu

@keerthana_rb

ecently, I traveled with Feminists for Reproductive Equity (F.R.E.E.) Aggies to Houston to take part in the third annual Women’s March while women around the country protested in their respective cities. The Women’s March originated on Jan. 21, 2017, as a response to the Trump presidency, when nearly 4 million people from around the country denounced everything his administration stands for. Every year since then, we have marched for everything under the umbrella concerning human rights. For me, the march and rally provided a way to connect with others who experience the same anger, frustration and fear I feel. Many women and people of color have lived in a state of indignation their whole lives, which only heightened with the 2016 election. At the march,

those women and minorities stood with me, and it was liberating to be heard and validated. It was a start to plucking the weeds of oppression and injustice growing rampantly throughout our country. Sadly the rapture was short-lived. When the rally ended and people trailed back to their cars, lowering the signs and stripping various pink or rainbow accessories, nothing in the outside world had changed. The mirage of camaraderie faded. I once again only saw destitution when I looked at the path ahead. The issues we rallied against still thrived. I tried not to feel discouraged, convincing myself many battles and many potential victories still lay ahead. However, the truth is fighting relentlessly with no assurance that we will succeed is soul-crushing at times. Activists spend hours picketing in the cold, talking to representatives until their voices grow hoarse, tirelessly organizing events, writing letters and delivering petitions. But sometimes the dark clouds of doubt hang overhead. They cast a shadow which

taints any sense of accomplishment as you ask yourself, “What if it still doesn’t make a difference?” Such fears are not unsubstantiated. Protesters in Standing Rock, North Dakota, withstood rubber bullets, tear gas and streams of freezing water, only to have the pipeline built regardless. It eventually leaked 380,000 gallons of oil, bringing to life the Sioux tribe’s worst fears. Defeat seems to be the only outcome lately. Vital bills keep coming to a standstill. Evil men continue to be appointed. Politicians ignore young voices. The federal government separates families. Costs rise and people suffer. But we can’t give up. The small victories we have seen thus far are due to activists and their relentlessness. To say that our goals are unattainable would be to take an arrow to a bare chest. Activists who vigorously denounce inequality are the only form of armor shielding our democracy from injustice. I have only been politically active

for about five years, and I’m already tired and frustrated. I can only imagine how people who have been fighting for decades feel. When we are feeling near-hopeless, we look for solidarity and reassurance. That is why we still march. That is why we still picket, protest, organize, stand up and speak out. When times are at the worst, we collectivize so we can put forth our best. Activists organized the Women’s March as a bold statement. A message written in bright red spray paint that says, “We are present and everyone will hear us.” It is a rallying cry to uplift the people whom society has shoved down again and again. There will always be times when reform seems impossible, but the best remedy for doubt is to gather with our allies so that we can look around and say, “At least I’m not alone.” Keerthana Rameshbabu is a university studies freshman and columnist for The Battalion.

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NEWS

The Battalion | 2.6.20

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The Brazos Valley African American Museum is on East Pruitt Street in Bryan and offers free admission during the month of February.

Preserving black history in Bryan Museum educates community on African-American history, culture By Giselle Warren @GiselleWarren16 During Black History month and all year long, the Brazos Valley African American Museum preserves an often-overlooked history. Established in 2006, the museum was constructed on the property that belonged to the first African-American school in Bryan, founded in 1885. Museum curator Wayne Sadberry said keeping this spot the center of African-American learning is the main purpose of the museum.

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“We’re trying to tell a story; we’re trying to draw attention to certain aspects of our society that we feel need to be recognized,” Sadberry said. “We’re not trying to reinvent the world; we’re just trying to uncover. There was a lot of history that was going unnoticed by the majority population, so we feel that it’s come upon us to bring that to the attention of the public.” Nancy Self, a member of the museum’s committee and former professor in the College of Education at Texas A&M, said it’s important to educate future generations through the museum. “It portrays the heritage of the African-Americans in the Brazos Valley,” Self said. “It’s important for young people to have role models and to see the struggles that the people have gone through over the years in

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honor those who have made important contributions to the community. The Appreciation Banquet is also the museum’s main source of income and the determining factor in how successful events and exhibits will be developed and operated. Self said the banquet is necessary for the museum to continue its mission of educating the public. “The banquet is another great opportunity for the people who attend to appreciate the role models who are right here in our community and to provide that knowledge to their children so they have someone to look up to,” Self said. Museum admission is free through the end of February. For more information about the museum or the banquet, visit bvaam.org.

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order to claim their rightful place in the community and in society and for an appreciation for what the African-American culture has contributed to this whole community as well as to the world.” Co-founder of the museum Willie Pruitt said the museum sheds light on African-American accomplishments that would have otherwise been lost. “[It] lets you see some of the things that you don’t know about the history of the African-American living in Brazos Valley,” Pruitt said. “We always have had some outstanding blacks in our neighborhood, but there was no way of showing it, so we’ve got the museum here, and we can show what the African-Americans did in the Brazos Valley.” On Friday, Feb. 29, the museum is hosting its 19th Annual Appreciation Banquet to

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The Battalion | 2.6.20

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The Aggie baseball and softball complexes will begin the sale of beer, wine and seltzer during the 2020 seasons.

Boozy ballparks Texas A&M Athletics expands alcohol availability to include Blue Bell Park, Davis Diamond in 2020 By Hannah Underwood @hannahbunderwoo The athletic department announced on Wednesday that baseball and softball fans can now purchase alcohol at Texas A&M baseball and softball games in public seating areas. Beer, seltzer and wine will be available for purchase at designated concession stands until the top of the seventh inning at Blue Bell Park and the top of the fifth inning at Davis Diamond, in accordance with SEC guidelines. Beer was previously offered only in the third base concourse of Blue Bell Park, which required a $5 charge to enter. The SEC announced after its annual spring meetings last May it would allow the sale of alcohol in the public areas of its schools venues. In June, A&M announced it would expand alcohol sales into public seating areas of Kyle Field, which generated $1.3 million in revenue during Fall 2019, according to KBTX, and made the Aggies the first school in the conference to do so. In January, A&M pushed the expansion to include select men’s and women’s basketball games at Reed Arena. The men’s games include Feb. 15, Feb. 22 and March 7, and women’s games are Feb. 13 and Feb. 27. A&M softball kicks off its season against the University of Texas at Arlington on Feb. 7 at Davis Diamond, with baseball’s season opener following on Feb. 14 against Miami University of Ohio.

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Dave South had a book signing and Q&A in Cushing Library on Jan. 30.

South discusses career, autobiography Former ‘Voice of the Aggies’ returns to campus with book By Tyler Hoskins Guest Contributor When the Texas A&M baseball team opens the 2020 season against the Miami RedHawks on Feb. 14 at Olsen Field, the “Voice of Aggie Athletics” will call the action for fans listening on the radio. Outside the booth, Dave South has capped a 50-year broadcast career by dedicating sales royalties from his new book to the Wounded Warrior Foundation, which supports those injured in the line of duty. On Jan. 30, South gave a play-byplay of how his book “You Saw Me On the Radio” came to be published by Texas A&M University Press and about the man who inspired South to donate the proceeds — retired Marine Cpl. Matthew Bradford, who lost his sight, legs and an arm while deployed in Iraq. The book signing was part of the continuing exhibit “A Spirit Can Ne’er Be Told: Traditions of Aggieland,” hosted by Cushing Library and on display until Feb. 28. In a 20-minute talk to new and old fans, South wove together stories about his faith, family and Aggie athletics, including the origins of his love affair with radio. South said while he has worked every job in a radio station, his hobby has always been sports play-by-play. “I knew that sports play-by-play would not provide enough money to support a family,” said South. “In 1980, I moved to sales and loved it.” Texas A&M recruited South to sell corporate sponsorships, and he became the radio voice for Aggie athletics in 1985, calling football play-by-play until 2017 and basketball until 2018. South said his spot calling the action in the Olsen radio booth is on a year-by-year basis.

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A man who has described his career by saying “I talk for a living,” South said his interest in broadcasting came at a young age when his parents would drag him to downtown Wichita Falls to do Thursday-night shopping when shops stayed open late. “One of those early visits down there I came across a radio station that was on the street,” South said. “You could stand and watch the DJ work on the inside of the studio. I guess I looked like some kind of urchin; I’d just stand there watching him work.” Eventually, the DJ invited South inside where he would spend every Thursday night soaking up the sights and skills of a future lifelong career. At the studio, South said he was given old news copy and commercials while broadcasters explained how the control board worked. “I had a paper route at that time, and I started saving my money,” South said. “I bought two tape recorders, an amplifier, two turntables, and friends of mine helped me wire all that together. I would go in, and I would turn the tape recorder on and record myself. I had cleaned out half my closet and turned it into a radio station.” KDAV eventually went live on the air from his closet, and South said his mother would listen and occasionally correct his grammar or suggest phrases. As South’s 16th birthday approached, his mother surprised him by taking him to the new location of the radio station where he once peered in the window. He said she told him to walk in and apply for a job. “We sat out there for a long time and then finally I got up my nerve,” South said. “There wasn’t anybody in the building except one guy at the front desk, and I said I want to apply for a job. “He took me back to one of the recording studios, set me up and handed me some copy. I went over the copies and started the recorder.” Afterward, the broadcaster listened

to South’s tape for a couple of minutes, then stopped. “He looked at me, and he said, ‘Where have you worked before?’ And I wasn’t going to tell him my closet,” said South. He was then hired as the station’s weekend DJ. South spent 50 years in collegiate sports broadcasting gathering stories along the way, and he said he also was able to earn the trust of coaches and players. Often, people told South he should write a book. “There was a chance meeting in the radio booth at Blue Bell Park between me and the Texas A&M Press, and my wife [Leanne] took it upon herself to go back and talk to the people from the press,” South said. “We wrote a few of the stories that we wanted to do and sure enough they took it. “They gave us six weeks to get it done.” Now on the other side of the publishing deadline, South, his book and his memories are now part of the rich traditions at A&M. As those traditions continue to grow, they become an important part of A&M that the Cushing Library honors, said Deanna Fischer, past president of Friends of the Texas A&M University Libraries. “When our curators of all of our wonderful collections brought together all the different things that make up the history of A&M, South is a part of that, and this book as well,” Fischer said. “He’s kind of an icon, so it’s a great way for us to promote what we do here at the library.” Bob Segner, professor emeritus of construction science and A&M alumni, said he is looking forward to reading South’s book. “I’m delighted to see the sections in which he divided it and seeing what he has to say,” Segner said, noting he came to the event to show his support for South. “I want to see if he can write as well as he can talk,” Segner added — with a chuckle.