The Gradual Vol. 104 Fall 2020

The Gradual

Crossroads FALL 2020 Vol. 104

Texas Wesleyan Class of 2020

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December 2020

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Pros

Cons

1. More knowledge in a field of my choice

1. Student debt

2. More qualifications for a higher paying job

2. Less free time

3. Letters from the President and Student Government President

3. Homework

4. Franceanne Gilbertson 5. Melvin Smith 6. Francia Hernandez 7. Julian Rodriguez 8. List of Graduates 9. List of Graduates 10. Savannah Hart 11. Iyanna Brown 12. Lindsey Bishop 13. Hannah Rey 14. Tristen Brown 15. Kirsten Branscum 16. A larger network of people

For more stories online, go to therambler.org

Considerations: Student Media Director: Dr. Jenny Dean Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ngozi Akinro

Opinions expressed in THE RAMBLER are those of the individual authors only and do not neccesarilty reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.

Editor-in-chief: LaTerra Wair

Rambler Staff: Juan Rey Hannah Onder Davonte Mitchell-Dixon Wendy Nguyen Tatiyana Giddings Juan (Felipe) Jimenez Thibault Gasser

Practicum Students: Christian Gaffner Darian Pierce Jacinda Chan Jalen Evans Jaylen King Kobe Nelms Mallory Marks Nick Hains William Doctor

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Letter from the President

December 2020 To the Class of 2020, Congratulations on completing your Texas Wesleyan degree.

This is a major life achievement, and you should be proud of the perseverance, focus and hard work it took to get here. Remember those qualities as you continue on your journey. They will serve you well.

This semester, similar to most of 2020, has looked and felt quite different. However, success in the face of a challenge shows your unwavering determination. You’ve shown that you are willing to reach your goals no matter the obstacle, and we are proud to welcome you to the family of Texas Wesleyan alumni.

Whether your next step involves graduate studies or entering the workforce, you are ready to make a difference. The emphasis on critical thinking and analytical reasoning at Texas Wesleyan will help you, regardless of what your future holds. We hope that your experiences here will be a constant source of inspiration as you make your mark on the world.

We are proud of you. Your success makes Texas Wesleyan the vibrant, “Smaller. Smarter.” university that it is.

I wish you all the best and hope to see you back on campus soon.

Sincerely, Fred

President Frederick Slabach poses for a photo.

Photo by Chuck Greeson

Letter from the SGA President

Frederick G. Slabach President Texas Wesleyan University

Dear Fall Class of 2020, As Student Government Association President, I could not be prouder to represent such a resilient group of students.

The most recent semesters leading up to your graduation have been challenging and full of uncertainty. I have seen the struggles and obstacles you’ve had to overcome, all while compromising on many wonderful experiences that typically come with being a senior in college. You overcame all these challenges with grace, strength, and determination.

That is why I am honored to celebrate you and all that you have accomplished so far. I know it’s been incredibly difficult, Rams, yet here you are.

On behalf of SGA, I want you to know that we believe in you.

I am so happy and excited to see what the next chapter of your lives bring. Remember, wherever your next journey takes you, you will always have a home here at Texas Wesleyan.

Much love, Lexi Barlow Student Government Association President

Photo by LaTerra Wair Student Govenment Association President Lexi Barlow smiles at the camera.

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Student Gilbertson graduates to Ms. Gilbertson

Photo courtesy of Franceanne Gilbertson While Frannie Gilbertson works toward becoming a teacher, she is also a writer. Earlier this year, Gilbertson published an Adult Fiction piece to Adelaide Literary Magazine titled “Black Love.”

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Choose your road: Teaching English

ecoming a secondary education English teacher has always been Franceanne Gilbertson’s calling, and she came to Texas Wesleyan University to achieve exactly that.

Gilbertson, mostly known as “Frannie,” grew up right down the street from Wesleyan. During her senior year of high school, she heard amazing things about the education department and her choice was clear.

“It was the first and last college I toured. It was kind of like a love at first

“

I figured if I can save one kid’s life by having them for 45 minutes in the day, then my job will have been worth it.”

sight thing,” she said.

Growing up she had friends that struggled with mental health issues and the negative impact of high school, so she set her mind on becoming an attentive teacher that makes a difference.

“I’ve seen firsthand how teachers affect students and their whole view on school, their mental health and their whole attitude on life. That’s how I knew I wanted to make my difference in the world. I figured if I can save one

kid’s life by having them for 45 minutes in the day, then my job will have been worth it,” she said.

One step closer to inspiring young adults to higher education just like her high school English teacher did for her, Gilbertson has currently landed a student-teacher position at Polytechnic High School.

“I want the kids that are overlooked, that people kind of forget about, that are even sometimes forgotten about by the district. That’s one of the reasons

why I chose Poly because it’s one of those schools that people kind of think when they first hear it, ‘Oh why do you want to teach there? Don’t all those kids kind of have behavioral problems?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah kinda, but not all of them, it’s like a small, small number.’

“But either way, they just need people to care about them. And so, that’s why I want to be a teacher, and that’s why I picked Poly.”

Loving her experience at Poly and her kids in her class, Gilbertson hopes to continue her future at Polytechnic High School once she has received her teaching license.

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Smith sprints towards new goal of masters in sports psychology STOP

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Choose your road: Going to graduate school

elvin Smith arrived at Texas Wesleyan University in August 2017 as a basketball commit, striving for a psychology degree. It was a decision based off his unique skill set, and what fit his personality the best.

Smith will graduate this December after a coronavirus plagued senior year. Although, COVID-19 didn’t stop Smith from earning his degree, it certainly tampered with the routine that he was familiar with.

“COVID-19 has impacted me in many ways,” Smith said. “It caused me to not be able to interact as I would like my senior year.

This has been challenging for me because I am a social person and enjoy in-person classes.”

The quarantine did not stop Smith, who has been known for his optimistic

personality on and off the court, from communicating with peers and mentors.

“I have been able to reach out and establish stronger relationships with others virtually, so it’s not too bad,” Smith said.

“COVID-19 has made my senior year much different, but I am still thankful that I will be graduating this fall, either virtually or in-person.”

The person that has influenced Smith’s journey most is Men’s Basketball Head Coach Brennen Shingleton.

Shingleton has inspired Smith to be a leader on the basketball court and in the classroom, and the two have the upmost mutual respect for each other. “’Melvin has been everything that we as coaches and representatives of Texas Wesleyan search for to represent our program

Photo contributed by Melvin Smith Although COVID-19 interupted Melvin Smith’s senior year, it didn’t stop him graduating and interacting with people.

and student-athletes. He’s humble, polite, smart and hard-working. Melvin is on a fast track to success,” Shingleton said.

Smith is hopping on the fast track right after

graduation with plans to attend the University of North Texas and acquire his master’s degree in sports psychology.

“The future for Melvin is nothing less than what he

chooses to do,” Shingleton said. “I’m so happy to have been a small part of his journey. I know his family is extremely proud, as are we, that he is leaving his legacy here.”

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Hernandez takes one day at a time as she explores potential career paths STOP

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Choose your road: Helping people

rancia Hernandez, a graduating senior, has always held an interest in finance, her major. Both of her parents are business owners, and from a young age, she would give her parents and other family members loans out of her piggybank – with 60% interest.

Hernandez grew up in the bordertown of El Paso, Texas and Cuidad Juarez, Mexico.

There, she went to El Paso High School, which she describes as “one of, if not the most, beautiful high school in the nation. If you don’t believe me, look it up!”

After graduating from El Paso High School, she came to Texas Wesleyan. Hernandez is a first-generation college student, which she says is a “driving force to me getting this degree for [my] parents.”

Texas Wesleyan took a very special place in my heart as soon as I stepped on campus back in 2016,” Hernandez said. “Most of my time at Texas Wesleyan was spent meeting so many incredible

people with many different backgrounds and stories. I loved every single minute of it.”

When she isn’t attending classes, doing schoolwork or working as a legal administrative assistant at Morton Law, Hernandez enjoys going to the gym and working out, mostly lifting heavy weights.

“It makes me feel super strong, and I enjoy the empowering feeling I get after I’m done,” Hernandez said.

One of her major goals is to help future college students with their financial decisions, and to assist others in being able to afford attending college.

“I would like to help other first-time students like myself be able to better manage their finances and not see higher education as something that is unobtainable,” Hernandez explains.

Last year, she worked for TCC, mainly with college access and community outreach, where she began to realize her goal.

Photo courtesy Francia Hernandez Francia Hernandez is a first-generation college student that is majoring in Finance. Hernandez has also been involved on campus through Mortar Board, Enactus, Ram Tour guides, and Esports.

“Basically, I got to see how a lot of students don’t see college as something tangible because their parents or siblings don’t really know about the financial resources available! It’s super crazy,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez doesn’t have concrete plans for her life after graduation, but she

has plenty of options and goals in mind, and she seems open and prepared for anything. Graduate school is a possibility, but her current job seems like it could offer her another potential path.

“My whole life has been a bit spontaneous, and I don’t think life after graduating will be any

different,” Hernandez explains.

“As with my degree, one of my biggest goals is to hopefully use it on a financial board in a higher education institution.

But for now, I am working for an immigration law firm and want to see where that takes me.”

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Rodriguez becomes first in family to graduate college STOP

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Photo courtesy of Julian Rodriguez Julian Rodriguez returns to Wesleyan to finish his bachelors degree.

fter taking a break from Texas Wesleyan, Julian Rodriguez returned this fall to complete his degree. He is the first of his family to graduate high school and is about to be the first to graduate college.

Currently, Rodriguez works as a paraprofessional for Functional Academics and Community Integration (FACI) at Hardwood Junior High School in Bedford, TX. “We teach out students basic reading/writing, science, social studies, and math as well as social skills and social etiquette,” said Rodriguez. “Sometimes it can be very difficult, but honestly, I absolutely love my job.

My passion my entire life has been very music driven, but ever since I started working with these kids, I have fallen in love with helping them. They have given me a passion for education that I did not know could exist.”

Rodriguez, a music major, is originally from San Antonio, but he was raised in Fort Worth. He is a graduate of Western Hills High School in 2013 and began taking classes at Wesleyan in 2014.

“It [Texas Wesleyan] was

Choose your road: Music and teaching

one of the few schools that offered me scholarships. The atmosphere of the Music Department was incredibly welcoming, and I actually really enjoyed the fact that it was a small school,” said Rodriguez.

Julian was very involved with campus life while attending Wesleyan. He was an RA, and he was the Ram Camp Director for two years. “Without Ram Camp, I would not have met some of the most incredible people ever to walk on this campus. When given an opportunity to go behind the scenes, I could not say no,” said Rodriguez. “… I even was honored to pass the torch on to two of my closest friends after I left.”

Rodriguez was friends with a few RAs his freshman year, and he said they helped him step out of his comfort zone.

He got to become an RA because he performed for one of his friends [who was an RA at the time] at her SGA campaign for president as part of a flash mob.

Unfortunately, he was one of the student casualties of the block 16 rate change during his final year at Wesleyan in 2018. His university-based

scholarships were about to run out, and he made a conscious decision to end his time at Wesleyan.

Two people influenced him to pursue music. Those two people were Eric Mullins, his high school band director, and Debra Rue, his choir director.

“Eric Mullins was my band director in high school, and though he never flat out told me to pursue music, he made me feel like music was my gift to give back to the world,” said Rodriguez. “Debra Rue, who was not only my choir director, gave me my first paid choir job.”

He loved his experience at Wesleyan.

“My overall experience at Wesleyan can only be described by the great Andy Bernard, ‘I wish there were a way to know you’re in ‘the good old days’, before you’ve actually left them,’” said Rodriguez. “All the late nights, all the tests, all the performances, all the tears (both good and bad), all of that shaped me to be who I am. I would not trade my experience at Wesleyan for anything in the world.”

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Congratulations Graduates Graduates!

UNDERGRADUATES Edon Ademaj Atheer Alsahafi Haley Arnspiger Saleh Bamershed Claudio Barraza Zuniga Lindsey Bishop Jarrett Blankenship Bradley Boulton Kristen Branscum Lauren Bristol Iyanna Brown Christopher Campbell Troy Carrigan Yvonne Castillo Connie Cervantez Joshua Chi Temuulen Chinzorig Jessie Clark Kaylee Conrad Jonte Cox Gabriel Crowley Christopher Culross Hunter Dampeer Joshua Davis Shanjala Davis-Allen Maulin Dhivar Bryan Diaz Adji Dioum Darian Dunn Charity Ellis Gilberto Enriquez Zhaozhe Fan Britt Fleischer Jamie Ford Reagan Fraze Falesha Fuller Amanda Garcia Kathleen Garcia Daniel Garcia Rodriguez

Abigail Garraty Franceanne Gilbertson Gary Girard Sara Gomez Melissa Gonzalez Ivett Granados Garfield Grant

Ronald Gray Devin Griffin John Grimsley Jordan Grinage Rayven Harris Savannah Hart Mariella Heiskell Jaime Hernandez Francia Hernandez Marquavius Hollins Kaitlyn Johnson Rachel Keith Jajuan Kelly Manoj Khanal Gerson Lopez Luis Lopez Olivia Lopez Mallory Marks Jonathan Martinez Savanna McAlpin Jiateia McDaniel Felisa McDowell Jonathan McNamee Cheyanne Moore Marie-Merci Ndagano

Marie-Clemence Ndagano

Joshua Nichols Lyric Nunley Hannah Onder Alejandro Ortiz Aleli Palma Parth Pandya Ishan Patel Rahul Patel Mihir Patel Ravij Patel Shivkumar Patel Jonathon Perkins Bao Pham Catherine Pitre Delaney Pricer Amarsing Phurohit Hongbi Quan Sophia Ramirez Alma Ramirez Rangel Laura Reason Rhyan

Hannah Rey Juan Rey Humberto Reyes Graciela Rios Emily Rodriguez Julisa Rodriguez Julian Rodriguez Alecea Rodriguez Stephanie Rodriguez Cody Rose Shaun Rost Pauline Rubio Guadalupe Salas Javier Sanchez Jacob Sapienza Lesa Scott Lauron Scott Ashley Shelton Jakeb Silva Kaicee Simpson Mikayla Smith Adrienne Smith Melvin Smith Kristopher Swift Devyn Teague Emily Tipping Sophie Torrez Adrianna Venzor Marcus Waerstad Senrui Wang John Ware Nikolas Westfall Brittany Wheat Adam White Jasmin White Brittany Williams Kenzie Wilson Destiney Winkfield Isabel Zamarripa Quandre Zamora

GRADUATE PROGRAM Mary Abbott Adrian Abilez Syed Misbah Akbar Ngozi Akinro Jaida Allen Nicholas Ambrose Steven Appelhof Alea Armintrout Samantha Armstrong Dominique Arnold Justin Arth Breonna Baldwin Olivia Banks Michael Baray Jennifer Barnes Shawn Benson Dustin Bergman Mallory Bledsoe Abby Bobo Meghan Braak Shana Bradley Ruth Brown Mengqian Bu Lesley Burch Holly Burich Mary Burrell Andre Chepetan Cierra Ciszecky Melissa Cogdell Dixie Cook Jose Carlos Corpus Tiffany Cox Jan Christian Cu Yolanda Cuellar Montgomery Davis Katelyn Davisson Kasaundra Decker Randy Denson Sandeep Deogun Gina Diaz Emma Duncan David Durrant Kirsten Eichhof Matthew Eisgrau Tyler Ellis Djomelle Escano

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Mary Etoch David Flores Rebecca Forbes Jennifer Gann Eric Garza Gerard Gemelga Alexis Gonzalez Sophia Gordon Breeanna Goss Lauren Green Jasmine Hall Ameen Hannun Jonathan Harris Jensie Harte Timothy Hatch Calen Hawkins Chelsea Head Christine Heath Matthew Hill Trevor Holsinger Eunjin Hong Candace Hooker Menagere Isaac Martreveus Jackson Alanna James Jonathan Johnson Candance Johnston Fairyn Jones Jeremy Jones Austin Kamimura Joseph Kidwell Suzanne Largent Suzette Law Aimee Lerman Laci Lewis Josey Lust Jeremy Lynn Kassandra Magin Joshua Maliske Jose Manzanilla Amaris Martinez Marcos Mayorga Kalyn McCullough Brandon McGuire Jaimason McReynolds Videls Mecha Roger Metcalf

Brooke Meyer Elizabeth Morphis Ashley Morton Kerri Mullone David Murphy Kristen Muru Rachael Newnam Todd Newton Thanh an Nguyen Alexandra Nichols Sonia Noorany Nicholas Nwoye Derek Olden Michael Oppen Alexander Orellana John Ornelas Gabriela Padilla Rachel Palmer Mallory Parkey Stephen Parkinson Nitesh Patel Cooper Patterson Olivia Patton Amanda Poe Marc Porter Michael Puente Gabriel Ramos Alysa Reasoner Caprica Richardson Amanda Roach Brittany Roberts Eric Robichaud Dhanisha Sam Heinrich Schander John Scherschel Christopher Schroeder Xitlali Sedano Jimenez Wakeelah Sharif Sarah Shin Crystal Simmons Haylie Simon David Simpson Julia Sninchak Amy Solis Ryan Soto Samantha Sparks Ryan Stupca

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December 2020

Christie Angelie Tang Alexys Taylor Erin Taylor Jordan Thomas Zachary Thompson Casey Toombs Erica Torgerson Amanda Turner Rogelyne Ursua

DOCTORATE PROGRAM

Melissa Berg Anne Lauren Daniel Britney De la Rosa Brittany Holmes Darenda Kirby Richard Ornberg

Lourdes Vasconcelos Almeida

Carissa Villarreal Fernando Viorato Kaylan Vollmering Micah Walden Lauren Walsh Bernadette Washington Joshua Watson Blake Weatherby Michael Werner Taylor Whitaker Diana White Kelsey Wolfe Michael Woods Madeleine Young Kristie Young Christine Zambos Emily Zimmer

Soutnakhon Phandanouvong

Ericka Pitts Socorro Preciado Melissa Schniers Shannon Stoker Mary Villafranca

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Hart’s journey nears its end at Wesleyan STOP

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Choose your road: Studying to be an obstetrician

s the fall term of the year 2020 comes to a close, Savannah Leigh Hart finds it surreal that her college journey is now nearing its final chapter. As a 21-yearold student athlete from Houston, Hart looks forward to what the future has to bring and is ready to face her challenges head on.

Hart will be receiving her bachelor’s in biology and is a pre-medical student. She plans to continue on with her studies in medical school with hopes of becoming an Obstetrician.

Hart came to Wesleyan because, “My coach, Josh Gibbs, was so welcoming and nice when I met him. I knew that this school and the soccer team was somewhere I would fit in and feel at home. My sister also played on the team for four years before me, so I was familiar with the school, team and soccer coach.”

Having this close connection to the team and the coaching staff helped Hart feel right at home, which makes leaving that much harder for her. Hart said she has been fortunate enough to form great relationships both on and outside of her team and coaching staff and stated that those relationships will “last a lifetime.”

Coming into her freshman year, Hart felt a small amount of fear due to the fact that she was moving so far from home, but immediately felt like this was the place for her from day one.

Hart said that her time at Wesleyan has exceeded expectations and went much better than she would have ever expected. For Hart, coming to a small school in such a large metroplex was a perfect environment because everyone at the school begins to know each other after a while. The

large city provided her group of friends with lots of stuff to do; she has grown very close to those them.

In her spare time, she took up thrifting and reselling vintage clothes around town as well as making occasional YouTube videos documenting her days on campus. These are all hobbies she has come to love with the people she has met in here at Texas Wesleyan.

“One piece of advice that I would give to students nearing the end of their college journey would be to not take a day for granted,” Hart said. “It’s such an amazing experience to be a college student and something that not everyone gets to experience. It’s also gone in the blink of an eye, so I would soak up every moment you can. Talk to everyone you can.

Do everything you can. And Photos courtesy of Savannah Hart just enjoy the journey!”

Savannah Hart is a senior player on Texas Wesleyan’s women’s soccer team, who joined the team as a freshman. Hart plans to graduate in December 2020 and continue studying medicine to become an obstetrician.

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Photos courtesy of Iyanna Brown Pyschology major and cheer team captain Iyanna Brown plans to attend Wesleyan’s graduate counseling program to get her master’s degree.

Brown plans to open family counseling practice STOP

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fter graduation, Iyanna Brown plans to continue her education with Texas Wesleyan’s online graduate program in counseling. Brown feels this will be a major step toward accomplishing her goal of starting her own family counseling practice.

Brown an Atlanta, Georgia native is a psychology major planning to graduate in December 2020. She was lured to Wesleyan by its smaller, smarter atmosphere and a cheer scholarship awarded to her by Carolyn Choate, Wesleyan’s former cheer coach.

“I just loved the people. It felt like a

Choose your road: Starting a family counseling practice

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The responsibility I have to the youth looking up to me through cheer gives me great pride in what I do.”

match,” Brown said.

Brown said her time at Wesleyan was impactful, “Attending Wesleyan has allowed me to mature into the woman I am today. It has taught me to better evaluate situations I encounter, make the right decisions concerning my future or general wellbeing and learn skills I have used and will continue to use after Wesleyan.”

Besides being captain of the cheer

team, Brown is one of Wesleyan’s staff football managers, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) member and a representative in the Student Government Association. Brown’s really enjoyed Wesleyan’s cheer program, and mentoring the youth through cheer is one of her most valued accomplishments.

“The responsibility I have to the youth looking up to me through cheer

gives me great pride in what I do,” said Brown.

Being active at Texas Wesleyan has helped Brown solidify her future career as a counselor and her dream of starting her own practice.

Brown offers this advice to first year students, “Freshman year is not the year to make mistakes, it’s your year to map out what you want. If you start off careless, you’ll end careless. Because you can’t build something strong on a faulty foundation. Enjoy yourself but know what you want.”

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Photos courtesy of Hannah Rey Biology major Hannah Rey works on going to medicial school, so she can become a physician. Rey plans to end her tennis career at Wesleyan.

Positivity helps graduate Hannah Rey keep the ball in her court STOP

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Choose your road: Studying to be a physican

annah Rey came from Midland, Texas to Texas Wesleyan not by luck, but because of the opportunities.

“Financially I got a tennis scholarship, and they had a biology program that was close to the medical district. I wanted to give myself an opportunity to immerse myself into the medical district in DFW,” Rey said.

Rey who has been involved in tennis for 15 years, has been playing since she was only seven years old. At Wesleyan, she’s been recognized not only for ten-

nis ability, but also for her academics as a SAC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Tri Beta Honor Society.

As for her plans with tennis after college, it looks as if she will be hanging up the court shoes. “Of course, on paper I would love to pursue tennis, but I don’t think my future will include tennis,” she said.

Rey plans to enter the medical field, which is nothing new to her family. “I have a really big family, and a lot of my girl cousins have pursued the medical field. As of right now, I have three who are in medical school right now,” she said.

While her family guided her, going into the medical field was something Rey always wanted to pursue.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a doctor. When I was little it was innocent because I just wanted to help people, but as I got to know the medical field better throughout life, I realized that biology was definitely something I liked,” she said. Rey plans to take her Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in January 2021 and start preparing for the vigorous schedule of a medical school student.

“I hope to apply to med school in the early-decision period, which is by May 1.Then I’m going to go through my application process, which includes primaries, secondaries, and interviews that start in September, so I hope I can get one or two interviews with medical schools,” Rey said.

Rey believes in holding on to your dream, “no matter what anybody says or thinks about you.”

“My dream has been to become a physician, and there’s definitely been a lot of hardships and negativity,” she said. “There’s a lot of people who say, ‘I don’t think you’re a good fit for that,’ but it really doesn’t matter what anyone says.

“I think it’s super important to empower people, and I want to let people know no matter what their dream looks like or what their life looks like at that moment, they can definitely accomplish whatever they want, regardless of the situation or of what people are telling them.”

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Photo contributed by Lindsey Bishop Sociology major Lindsey Bishop poses with her cat, Bella and her dog, Panda.

Lindsey Bishop is in love with sociology STOP

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Choose your road: Working and non-profit work

ishop discovered her passion for sociology at Wesleyan During her time at Texas Wesleyan, Lindsey Bishop has worked to contribute to many different events and organizations on campus while pursuing her passions.

Bishop chose Wesleyan because her dad, Dr. Mike Bishop, is a professor of graduate counseling on campus. She said, “Choosing Texas Wesleyan was not too hard because I am not a big fan of large campuses.”

Bishop, an Arlington native, was

Photo contributed by Lindsey Bishop Lindsey Bishop attends the “Stand with Us” event with her dad, Dr. Mike Bishop.

“

Seeing the profesors and students sticking together can be very motivating to continue to stay involved as a student.’’

originally a liberal arts major. The main reasons she chose to change to sociology was because Dr. Alison Simons persuaded her to pursue her interest in learning more about society and how people react to different situations.

While working full-time and keeping her grades up, Bishop has been active on campus through the Sociology club, Alpha Kappa Delta, and Mortar Board.

Along with Dr. Simons and Stacie Hill, Bishop helped to organize the community expo event held at Texas Wesleyan last semester. She also coordinated the “Stand with Us Unity” event held on Juneteenth over the summer. Both were events that were hosted by or assisted by the Sociology club or program.

She said that the sociology program

is very engaging and both the professors and students in the program are great. She said, “Seeing the professors and students sticking together can be very motivating to continue to stay involved as a student.”

Bishop is big on community involvement and is specifically interested in how people can help fix the community. While her short-term goals are to graduate, get a great job and buy a house, she’d eventually like to use her degree to go into nonprofit and community work.

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Tristian Brown strives for career as large-production stunt man STOP

Choose your road: Working as a stunt man in a big production

Photos courtesy of Tristen Brown.

Tristen Brown sings during a musical production for Theatre Wesleyan. He will graduate in Decembler 2020.

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risten Brown is an actor and aspiring stuntman at Texas Wesleyan.

Brown arrived at Wesleyan in the fall of 2016. Born in Germany, Brown moved to Dallas along with his family when he was six years old. He has spent his college career at Wesleyan and will graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in theatre arts this December.

Brown began his theatre career in third grade and took a break in middle school before resuming his career in high school.

Brown auditioned and was accepted into the Theatre Wesleyan program.

However, Wesleyan wasn’t his first choice.

“At first, I didn’t give much thought to Wesleyan,” Brown said. “I went and did my audition and visited the campus and instantly fell in love because of how

beautiful the campus was and how friendly everyone is.”

As well as being an actor, Brown also works behind the scenes. In 2019, Theatre Wesleyan did a production of Avenue Q. Brown was the sound engineer and live mixed the show while the performance was happening.

For Brown, narrowing down his favorite production is not an easy task. His first production was also his favorite to participate in at Theatre Wesleyan, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.

“I had to play a young actress and do an actual strip tease on stage and that was so fun and such a barrier to break since it was my first show in college,” Brown said.

Brown’s greatest accomplishment was winning the Trail Blazer Award at the Rammies in 2019.

“It was nice to see that people recognized the work that I did and to know that I left an impact and to see that people appreciated my work,” Brown said.

The biggest piece of advice that Brown would give to any incoming Theatre Wesleyan students is to try absolutely everything and develop a good work ethic.

“That’s how you move up in the theatre world,” Brown says. “As long as you have a good work ethic, continue to be yourself, and just trying new things you’re going to keep moving up.”

Throughout his career at Wesleyan, Jeanne Everton, associate professor of theatre, has played a large role in Brown’s success. Everton has been with Brown since his first day with Theatre Wesleyan.

Brown said, “She’s the type of person that makes you grow by making you think inward and internalizing your own problems so that you can change your perspective on them.”

Brown is certified by the Society of American Fight Directors in broadsword and single sword combat.

He dreams of playing a large stunt roles in combat films such as Black Panther or Spider-Man. After graduating, Brown plans on continuing to work at Medieval Times as a Squire with hopes of becoming a Knight. With Covid-19 regulations, large theater productions may be on hold for a while. However, Brown would love to get back into large productions as soon as he can.

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Branscum continues her journey to work toward the greater good STOP

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Photo courtesy of Kirsten Branscum Kirsten Branscum, a paralegal and mother, came to Wesleyan to continue her law education by getting her bachelor’s degree.

irsten Branscum has always had the primary goal of doing work that can make a difference in the world.

Branscum, originally from Red Oak, Texas, resides in Midlothian, Texas with her family. While studying at Texas Wesleyan, Branscum also works as a paralegal. She really enjoys and appreciates the job because she has the chance to educate people about the law, especially those in danger of being taken advantage of.

Branscum began pursuing paralegal studies in 2006 at Tarrant County College. Three years later, she graduated and received her associate degree.

She was ecstatic and already thinking about what her next move would be. “I just wanted

Choose your road: Going into public interest law

“

I just want to help others to the best of my abilities.”

to help others to the best of my abilities,” Branscum said.

After she graduated, her wish come true much quicker than she expected. She was lucky enough to be offered an opportunity to work as a paralegal and be mentored by long-time lawyer Grey Pierson.

Branscum said that Pierson and her still work well together eleven years later. They have a trust in each other that has grown over the years.

“Sometimes he comes to me and asks for my opinion on certain situations, especially when it pertains to people,” Branscum said.

While Branscum enjoys her current position, her ultimate goal is to get into public interest law where she can help with economic crisis all over the world.

“I have always wanted to be involved in law, but at the time I was not willing to spend several years in law school,” Branscum said.

Now that she is older, Branscum realized that it is extremely important to finish what she started. Branscum is expected to graduate this upcoming December with a bachelor’s in paralegal studies.

“Once I receive my bachelor’s degree,” Branscum said, “it will help me qualify for the positions that I have always wanted to be in.”

The Gradual

16

December 2020

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