Weenie of the Week: Bridget McLaughlin

Name: Bridget McLaughling

Hometown: Boston, MA

Major: Public Relations

What does being a Texas Spirit mean to you?

Being a Texas Spirit Weenie changed my whole experience at UT for the better because I've met so many girls in such a short amount of time that I've become really close to, which makes a huge difference when everyone you know is far away.

What's your favorite Weenie memory as we approach the end of the semester?

My favorite Weenie memory is getting our bigs and ghoulfams at Weenie Beanie!!

What are you most excited about this holiday season?

I'm really excited to go home, be able to sleep in my bed, and cook in my kitchen, and possibly see snow.

Tell us about what else you're involved in on campus and/or some cool experiences you've had here at UT.

I'm involved with the Triathlon Club which is really fun and different than any other sport I"ve played.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, and money wasn't an issue, where would you go and why?

I want to backpack Europe one summer and go mostly around the Mediterranean.

Congratulations, Bridget! CIWY

Spirit of the Week: Joanne Chien

Name: Joanne Chien

Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA

Major: HDF/Pre-Pharmacy

Weenie Class: Spring 2012

What does being a Texas Spirit mean to you?

Texas Spirits has completely changed my life. I never thought that I would meet people from such diverse backgrounds that share such common interests and a desire to serve the community and university. I'm so grateful that I've found my family in an unfamiliar place!

What's your favorite Weenie memory as we approach the end of the semester?

My favorite Weenie memory was coming back from the Senior-Weenie night at Emily Rigby's house. A few of us were walking from north camp back to our dorms on campus so it was quite a long and arduous journey. We proceeded to entertain ourselves by only speaking in a British accent using only titles of Adele songs. I don't think I laughed harder that entire semester!

What are you most excited about this holiday season?

I'm so excited to return to Louisiana to eat beignets and my mom's stuffing!

Tell us about what else you're involved in on campus and/or some cool experiences you've had here at UT.

UT has provided many new and different opportunities. I love that I can be involved in a variety of clubs that are academic or service-related, as well as fun and social. Coming from a magnet high school, we never had Friday night games (much less a football team). Since coming to college, I have loved going to UT football games. They've provided a whole new experience for me. If I squint hard enough, I can see a national championship on the horizon!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, and money wasn't an issue, where would you go and why?

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Taiwan, first. I never get to see my family there often enough. Then, I would hit up India for the food and culture...or Greece...or Italy...this is hard.

Congratulations, Joanne! CIWY

Congratulations to Ghost Council 2014!

Congratulations to the newly elected Ghost Council 2014!

Chief Haunt

Isabella Pereira

Vice Haunt

Erin Crandall

Banker Haunt

Katelynn Fabre

Contact Haunt

Julianne Perry

Spirit Haunts

Marnie Lemonik & Kelsey Ni

Special Projects Haunt

Ashley Embry & Carly Colville

Hook 'Em Haunt

Savannah Hampton

Royal Spirit Haunt

Laurel Lunsford

Philanthropy Haunt

Alexa Gould

Service Haunt

Halleh Ghaemi

Traditions Haunt

Skyla Sale

Texas 4000 Spotlight: Willa Altman-Kaough

Name: Willa Altman-Kaough

Hometown: Spring, TX

Major: International Relations and Global Studies

Weenie Class: Spring 2012

Why are you riding for cancer?

I applied to Texas 4000 because I have seen many people who I love lose moms, dads, children, siblings, and friends to cancer. I am lucky that I haven't experienced that intimate of a loss myself, but I have seen the devastation cancer can bring into a family's home and the ways in which the lives of those affected are changed forever. Beyond my personal bone to pick with cancer, I was attracted to Texas 4000 because it presents one of the true opportunities to make a significant impact and to be a part of something bigger, better, and beyond yourself.

What aspect of this experience are you the most excited about?

I think Texas 4000 is incredibly special because the riders, for the year before the ride and during the ride, have the opportunity to connect with people throughout Austin, the state, and the country who have been touched by cancer one way or another. It is humbling to learn how many people have been affected and one of Texas 4000's goals is to assure all of these people that they aren't alone in their fight. The prospect of meeting people at UT and around the state and nation who I would probably never meet otherwise is exciting to me, and I look forward to all of the cool places, personal expansion, and intertwining of lives that this adventure will bring.

Congratulations, Willa! CIWY

Texas 4000 Spotlight: Quynh Pham

Name: Quynh Pham

Hometown: Spring, TX

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences/Pre-Med

Weenie Class: Spring 2012

Why are you riding for cancer?

During these college years, I have really been in the pursuit of a meaningful life. I believe that Texas 4000 is a great start to this pursuit. It gives me the opportunity to be a part of something that's so much bigger than me. Cancer is the one enemy that the whole world is fighting against. Getting to opportunity to ride for cancer is like getting the opportunity to fight for my loved ones that have been affected by cancer. But also, it's an opportunity to fight for those that are currently suffering from the battle. Living a meaningful life is living a life of service. Riding for cancer will be my first huge step in committing my life to a life of service.

This journey will not be easy. What will keep you going when things get tough or tiring?

I just need to keep reminding myself that this journey I have been chosen to be a part of is a privilege. I will rely on my teammates for motivation. I will rely on my family and friends for comfort. Most importantly, I will remind myself of the loved ones I am riding for.

What aspect of this experience are you the most excited about?

I am really excited to get to know the cancer community better. I think getting the opportunity to get to know why my teammates are riding for cancer will be awesome. Also, while on our route, I am excited to experience the different communities of people that have been affected by cancer.

What are some places/things you are excited to see on your voyage?

Everything. I can't even imagine the places/things I will get to see when biking 4500 miles across the country. The scenic views and constant fresh air are going to be absolutely breathtaking.

What are your expectations going into this experience?

No expectations really. I just want to raise money for cancer research, raise awareness about the fight against cancer, and ride my bike to Alaska with a group of passionate people that share the same sentiments. Going into an experience like this with expectations is going to make it hard. I just want to cruise along the journey and enjoy this once in a lifetime ride.

Congratulations, Quynh! CIWY

Texas 4000 Spotlight: Olivia Arena

Name: Olivia Arena

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Plan II Honors

Weenie Class: Fall 2013

Texas 4000 Spotlight: Anjali Sethi

Name: Anjali Sethi

Hometown: Allen, TX

Major: Honors Human Development and Family Science/Pre-Med

Weenie Class: Spring 2012

Why are you riding for cancer?

Too many times in my life, I've witnessed a medical condition completely out of one's control take control over their lives and ultimately take them away. Enough is enough. I ride to put an end to loss of control over one's life at the hands of cancer. God has blessed me in countless ways, one of which was saving my grandpa, my Nanaji. My Nanaji is a prostate cancer survivor. My family is everything, and I couldn't even begin to think about the possibility of loosing him. My family was blessed and I want to put those blessings to use. I am healthy and I want to use my health to help others. I ride for all those who've been affected by cancer. I ride for the little kids I worked with in the hospital who had cancer steal their childhood. I ride for the families who had cancer steal their loved ones. I ride to bring back all the hope that cancer stole. I ride for those whose future cancer stole. I ride to stop cancer from stealing anything more. I'm a firm believer that nothing in this world is impossible. I ride to make an exception to that rule. I ride in the effort to make the possibility of having cancer be the one thing in this world that is impossible. I want to help others. I want to bring back hope to those who've lost it. Dumbledore said it best when he said, "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." I want to be that light and bring back happiness and life to those who had cancer take it away.

This journey will not be easy. What will keep you going when things get tough or tiring?

While I know this journey will be challenging at times, I know that anything I endure during my ride won't even compare to what an individual with cancer goes through every second. Knowing that I'm fighting for them so they don't have to anymore is what is going to keep me going.

What aspect of this experience are you the most excited about?

I'm so incredibly excited for all the people I will meet along this journey and to become a part of their life story and have them become a part of mine. I can't wait to be surrounded by my teammates, my new family, who are all so passionate about fighting cancer, and who I know will inspire me in countless ways and help shape me into the best version of myself. I'm honestly so excited about having the opportunity to be that hope for someone who's forgotten what that even is. i'm going to actively be helping others... I'm living my dream!

Congratulations, Anjali! CIWY

Texas 4000 Spotlight: Abz Zeitler

Name: Abz Zeitler

Hometown: Indiana, IL

Major: Public Relations

Weenie Class: Fal 2013

Why are you riding for cancer?

I hold the cause dear to my heart. Family members, friends, and various people that have impacted my life have been affected by cancer, and I want to fight back.

This journey will not be easy. What will keep you going when things get tough or tiring?

The people I am riding for everyday and my teammates will get me to Alaska :)

What aspect of this experience are you the most excited about?

I am most excited about the whole entire journey. I cannot wait to be involved in such a life changing experience that will make such a difference in people's lives.

What are some places/things you are excited to see on your voyage?

I do not know yet what I will exactly get to see until I get my ride assignment. We do get the opportunity to tour MD Anderson, which I cannot wait to do! I want to see exactly where our fundraising goes and what it does. Most of the time you do not get to see where your money goes when donating, so Texas 4000 is special in the way it allows us to see the impact we have firsthand.

What are your expectations going into this experience?

My expectation is that this will be a challenge. It is not going to be easy, and I don't want it to be easy! Nothing worth doing is easy. I am excited for the feeling I will get when I finally get to Alaska knowing that we have accomplished so much over the past year and a half.

Congratulations, Abz! CIWY

Texas Spirits Love Texas 4000

The highly anticipated cool weather brought along some very exciting news for five Texas Spirits. Abz Zeitler, Anjali Sethi, Olivia Area, Quynh Pham, and Willa Altman-Kaough have been selected to ride from Austin, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska, during summer 2015 with Texas 4000, in efforts to raise money to help wage the war against cancer.

Texas 4000, founded in 2003, is the longest annual charity bike ride in the world. The journey from Austin to Anchorage is more than 4000 miles long and takes perseverance, determination, dedication, and support. It will take 70 days to complete and each team member will set a goal of raising a sum of money to benefit cancer research. Over the past nine years, Texas 4000 has raised more than $3.5 million for the fight against cancer.

Each girl was asked to share a little bit of her excitement and motivation.

Weenie of the Week: Olivia Arena

Name: Olivia Arena

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Plan II Urban Studies and International Studies

What are your favorite thing about Texas Spirits?

My favorite thing about Texas Spirits so far is having the opportunity to get involved in a uniquely Texas way. I never thought I would become so invested in Texas traditions. From painting the Drag to sitting next to the band at football games, Spirits has afforded me the ability to get involved in the culture of a large state school. At the alumni tailgate I was flipping through albums of Spirits from the 90s, and I recognized that same black Weenie shirt. There is something exciting about being a part of a living tradition, and it makes me feel connected to my Weenies, the Actives, and all the Spirits who have passed through Texas.

Why are you excited to receive your scarf?

I am most excited about the ability to be a recognizable part of the organization. The scarf is a representation of complete Spirit-ness, so I am just excited to be able to enjoy all the traditions of the Texas Spirits before me.

Congratulations, Olivia! CIWY

Spirit of the Week: Lauren Means

Name: Lauren Means

Hometown: Allen, TX

Major: Radio/Television/Film

Weenie Class: Fall 2010

What does Texas Spirits mean to you?

Texas Spirits means to me service, friendship, loyalty, and a bond of unity. But really, Spirits is my family. Every single girl is unique and I'm constantly in awe. I always have someone to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, or a person to share a good laugh with and a bottle of wine. I'm an only child but somehow I've ended up with 150 sisters.

What's the coolest experience you've had at UT?

I've had way too many cool experiences during my time at UT. I've flown on a plane, been on the roof of Jester, frolicked in many fountains, found out my passions, learned from the smartest people in the world, enjoyed concerts, had too much fun on 6th, grew up, met incredible people, the list goes on. I have to say almost every one of those memories were shared with a Spirit.

What are you going to miss most about Texas Spirits after you graduate?

What I'm going to miss most about Texas Spirits is constantly being surrounded by the most brilliant people doing the most badass things. Spirits constantly makes me strive to be a better person. I'll have to settle for stalking everyone on Facebook...

Congratulations, Lauren! CIWY

Texas Spirits As Third Top Fundraising Team At Austin Multiple Sclerosis Walk

Last month Texas Spirits spent a beautiful morning participating for their second time in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Austin Walk. Many members of Texas Spirits have loved ones affected by this chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system and this walk is the perfect event to rally for such an important cause. As a team, Texas Spirits were able to fundraise over $5,500 to go towards research for a much needed cure, as well as amazing programs and services for those living with MS in Central Texas We were the number 3 team in all of Austin and team captain and fall ’10 weenie, Angela Avera, was the second highest fundraiser of the entire event! Other Spirits who made a great difference with fundraising: Dionne Dias, Skyla Sale and Lauren Means – great job ladies! Can’t wait for next year.  Together we can put a stop to Multiple Sclerosis! Every step counts.

Study Abroad Spotlight: Mayte Salazar

Name: Mayte Salazar

Hometown: Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

Major: History, Anthropology, and Latin American Studies

Weenie Class: Spring 2011

What are you studying and as part of what program?

I'm currently at Sciences Politiques in Paris France, as part of an exchange program UT has with this university. Though this is primarily a political science university, as the name suggests, I'm taking several different classes in a variety of disciplines, including philosophy, art history, and history.

What has been the most exciting experience you've had so far?

I hate speaking in superlatives or limiting responses to one single thing especially when absolutely everything is fascinating and exciting about going to a new country and attempting to immerse yourself in the culture. As I think of my day to day life here, I think what gets me going is the thought of meeting new people and seeing new places. But in meeting new people and seeing new places, what commits these experiences to memory are the connections and memories I make with these new people in these new places.

So, how's the food?

The food is absolutely incredible. I'm blessed with the fact I have a host mom who is a French and Italian descendent. She cooks dinner for me every night and I'd say this has been, by far, the most "cultural" experience I've had here. I've gotten to try some traditional, French, home-cooked meals and have learned so many recipes that I'm excited to bring back with me. Food and its preparation encompasses an entirely different way of living here. Sunday mornings are dedicated to going to the local market and picking up your vegetables and meats for the week; every afternoon, you take time out of your day to go to your local bakery to pick up a baguette; and every evening, of course, you cook whatever it is that is in your fridge. I have the luck of having a host mother who rarely eats frozen food or at least prefers to buy things "fresh" for the taste. And well, I've grown pretty accustomed to this pampered way of living. I'm wondering how it'll affect my own cooking back home. Speaking of which, I don't know how I'll live without French cheese in the United States. French cheese and wine are underrated!!! But I'm nonetheless excited to go back to large breakfasts and tortillas. While I love my croissants and pan-au-chocolat in the morning, breakfast tacos are definitely more my lifestyle.

Have you travelled a lot or have you mostly stayed in the place where you are studying?

I've traveled some and actually have just finished booking some of the last bit of traveling I'd do before coming back to the States. I'd say I've had a good balance of both. I've been to Italy, Ireland, and the south of France thus far, and have a trip to England, Spain, and Italy planned for December. Italy has definitely been my favorite place thus far.

What challenges, if any, have you faced in this new country?

I'd heard a lot of things about French bureaucracy and the different style of friendship-making before I came here, and the frustration that comes from being foiled time and time again and not receiving immediate gratification definitely took some getting used to. The first month and a half or so I was also incredibly homesick. I'd already been away all sumer and adding a few several thousand miles of sea in between me and my loved ones has been really tough. I'm absolutely in love with my life here and I don't want the experience to end, but I am incredibly excited to come back and share the beauty I've seen with the people I love.

What advice could you give current or prospective members who want to go abroad?

DO IT! I'm a senior graduating in May. I'm in a long-term relationship. And studying abroad didn't fit with my major... All these things notwithstanding, I'm here, having the time of my life. Don't let anything stand in the way of your living in the moment and taking advantage of the opportunity to live abroad with the support of an institution back home. Don't sever ties with the world, but know that the people who love you will be there when you come back. You have an institution willing to support your sojourn abroad, willing to provide funding through scholarships, and you should take advantage of that!

Have fun, Mayte! CIWY

Weenie of the Week: Raveena Saini

Meet Raveena Saini, a member of our Fall 2013 class and Weenie of the Week! She is a freshman majoring in Public Health/Pre-Med from Round Rock, Texas. She currently has twenty-two hours of service so far this semester, the second highest in Spirits, and the Weenie service project hasn't even occurred yet! Apart from being very involved in the service community, she loves exploring Austin, and among her favorite activities are paddle boarding, going to Blues on the Green, and scouting out the best coffee shops. The best part of being a Weenie so far? Her Weenie sisters.

Congratulations, Raveena! CIWY

Spirit of the Week: Ashley Cubley

Meet Ashley Cubley, a Fall 2012 Weenie and the mastermind behind our Band Jam website. She has been putting in many hours of hard work and has enjoyed watching all of the ticket orders roll in (and so have we!). She is a junior pre-pharmacy and psychology major. Apart from being a digital guru, she has also traveled to four of seven continents, with Australia being her favorite. She loves Spirits because it has given her friends and memories that will be with her always, and even if cliche, she wouldn't trade the girls in this organization for anything.

Congratulations, Ashley! CIWY

Weenie of the Week: Gracie Lemley

Name: Gracie Lemley

Hometown: Orange, TX

Major: Sociology

What does being a Texas Spirit mean to you?

Texas Spirits means family to me, a true bond that will last forever.

There's only three weeks left of your Weenie semester! Tell us about your favorite memory you've made thus far, and what you're looking forward to most as we wrap things up.

My favorite memory would have to be the first sleepover! We had so much fun telling stories. I'm really looking forward to ghoul friend breakfast...it'll be too much fun.

If you were a season, which one would you be and why?

I would be spring because all of the blooming flowers make the world more beautiful.

Tell us what else you're involved in on campus and/or some cool experiences you've had here at UT.

The football games are so much fun. Every day I'm at UT I feel like the luckiest person on the Earth.

Favorite Disney princess. Go.

Ariel duh!

Congratulations, Gracie! CIWY