Fall 2013 Initiation Brunch

Initiation Brunch is always a much anticipated event for Texas Spirits. It is held at Iron Cactus and there is a buffet that is all kinds of wonderful and Spirits come ready to feast. But more importantly, Initiation Brunch is when the Weenies get their scarves and officially become JIs. The scarfing ceremony is an exciting time for both the Weenies and their Ghoulfriends, who have the honor of placing the scarf on the Weenie. After getting their scarves, the new JIs can visit with their Ghoulfamilies and it is customary to shower the JIs with gifts.

Every other semester, an additional ceremony takes place: the scarfing of the new Ghost Council. This occurs at the Initiation Brunch during the fall and signifies the transition between Ghost Councils. 

Lastly, at Initiation Brunch, several awards are given out to Spirits and Weenies who go above and beyond and really shine as young ladies. Some of those awards include Best Spirit Active, Best All Around Weenie, Best Service, and Best Love. Initiation Brunch is always a lovely time where the whole organization can come together and celebrate what it means to be a Texas Spirit.

Thanksgiving Win for the Longhorns

Texas Spirits have always been eager to support our Texas Longhorns, but a few Spirits went above and beyond and dedicated to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Austin instead of home. These Spirits showed their enthusiasm and support for the Texas Longhorns by being some of the few students to actually attend the whole football game. Although the weather was less than ideal, the girls attending the game stayed to the whole time to see the Horns win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders 41-16. I asked the Spirits who went to the game a few questions about their experience.

What was your favorite part about the Thanksgiving game?
The win of course! Since it was the last home game this year, it was great to see the Horns win for our last game as college students.

What about Thanksgiving dinner?
We had a Friendsgiving! It was sort of like a potluck; everyone brought a dish and we ate as a big friend group. We were stuffed!

Congratulations to the Horns on a great win!

Sweenior Love

I didn't think that being a Weenie could be any more wonderful, until I met my senior mentors. Unlike the other Weenies, I was lucky enough to get three mentors...how I got that lucky I don't know. But I do know that these girls have been such a blessing this semester. I look up to them as women and as Active Spirits. On our (winning) Active Adventure, instead of taking the easy way out in the baking arena, we decided to make some difficult baked goods... There was no peal and stick or pour and mix action going on in our kitchen. For the first time, I got to make my favorite dessert, apple pie, from scratch. We pealed apples. We made the delicious filling and soaked the apples. We laid the dough in the perfect crisscrossing manner. All the while, we never stopped laughing and I got to hear some hilarious Spirit stories of the past. These three beautiful, funny, brilliant women are now my friends, and I will strive to be just as spirited, loving, and giving as they are to each other and the organization that we call home.

Spirit of the Week: Quynh Pham

Name: Quynh Pham

Hometown: Spring, TX

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences/Pre-Med

Weenie Class: Spring 2012

What does being a Texas Spirit mean to you?

Texas Spirits means a family away from home and indescribable love for UT. I am so blessed to be a part of this organization. Texas Spirits has given me the opportunity to form unique bonds with so many talented diverse women! Some of these unique bonds have grown into friendships that I can truly cherish for a lifetime. And even though we are all so diverse, I think it's awesome that we all share a unified love for the best school in Texas, UT.

Tell us about your favorite memory as a Texas Spirit.

My favorite memory as a Texas Spirit is when my Spring 2012 class got a group to do Spring Break together. We road tripped to Panama City, FL, and then spent a week there! The whole trip was an on point definition of fun in the sun.

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

I am involved in a pre-medical honor society. I work at the Health Professions Office. And I have been on a trip to Nicaragua with Global Medical Brigades. My trip to Nicaragua has definitely been one of the most memorable experiences I have had with a UT organization. However, I think game day at UT is one of the greatest things that happen in the fall. It's such an awesome experience to be able to tailgate with your favorite people and then go cheer on your favorite team on a beautiful Saturday evening.

Favorite Disney princess?

Jasmine. She has a boy that can show her the world and a pet tiger. Enough said.

Congratulations, Quynh! CIWY

Operation Turkey

Operation Turkey is an organization that feeds Austin's homeless and those who otherwise could not afford a Thanksgiving meal. The operation starts at 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving, and the line of volunteers wraps around the block with helpers of all ages, with kids eager to help decorating to-go boxed. Most of the cooking takes place the day before, and the volunteers on Thanksgiving finish the cooking, package up meals, and sort donations.

Texas Spirits volunteered at the downtown Austin location, at which over one hundred volunteers showed up and where the Operation packaged 2,500 meals. In total across all locations, Operation Turkey served an estimated 12,000 meals. We are so thankful that so many people were able to have a hot, turkey dinner on Thanksgiving!