Spirit of the Week: Lindsey White

Lindsey White

Hometown: Carrollton

Major: Nursing

Spring '13 Weenie

What is one thing on your bucket list? One item on my bucket list is to run a full marathon. It’s an incredible physical and mental challenge, but I would love to cross the finish line knowing that my determination and persistence helped me achieve my goal.

What is your favorite thing to do in Austin ? Some of my “go-to” favorites are running along Town Lake, salsa dancing or two stepping, and grabbing a bite to eat at Foodheads. I love that Austin is that it is such an active, energetic city. Finding a new restaurant/music event/ or destination each week and checking it out with friends keeps life exciting. Adventure is out there!

What has been your favorite memory from spirits? 

My overall cumulative experience in Spirits has been so positive that it is hard to pick one moment. However, I can say without hesitation that I have met some of my closet friends through this organization. Whether we’re traveling together (S/O to my big and grandbig, Ash and Jess), shamelessly dancing to soul music (Hey, Nish), or proudly representing our school in our burnt orange scarves, I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to be surrounded by such incredible friends.

Weenie of the Week: Jimena Gamboa Bonilla

Jimena Gamboa Bonilla

Hometown: Woodlands, Tx

Major: Business

Spring '15 Weenie

Who is one person from the past you would love to meet?

I would love me meet/hang out with Abraham Lincoln. He was wayyy beyond his times.

What is one thing on your bucket list?

Something in my bucket list is to conquer my fear of heights (maybe sky diving? Or bungee jumping?).

What is your favorite thing about Austin?

Allllllll the nature that surrounds us and how original Austin is!

2015 Mr. Spirit Pageant Show Recap

  On Saturday April 11^th at the Texas Union, The Second Annual Mr. Spirit Pageant Show wowed and amazed a sold out crowed of 375 while contestants vied for the coveted title of Mr. Spirit 2015. This year’s pageant gave welcome to returning host’s Chris Aikman and Spirit Maria Benson.  The judges for this year's event included 2014 Philanthropy Haunt Alexa Gould, Whitney Harden, a wish kid from the Make a Wish foundation and the newly elected student body president Xavier Rotnofsky and vice president Rohit Mandalapu (counted as one voting body).

            The show opened with the contestants dancing to “Uptown Funk”, choreographed by our own 2014 Spirit Haunts Marnie Lemonik and Kelsey Ni. Then, the competition began with the introduction of each contestant with their choice female partner and a walk out song. Each pair donned an outfit of choice, which ranged from Olympians in togas to Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy. There was even an appearance by Ken and Barbie!

            After all introductions were made, we came into the stride of the competition: the talent portion. The audience was blown away by opener Shawn Killian (Mr. Texas 4000), who performed a unicycle routine. At one point he even rode his unicycle with his partner on his shoulders! Stand out Divine Ntomchukwu (Mr. Absolute Texxas) performed “The Evolution of Beyoncé” dance, all the way from the days of Destiny’s Child to recent hit “Partition”. Armand Chauvin III (Mr. Alpha Psi) impressed everyone with his stylish and precise step routine. Another highlight was Carlos Martinez’s rendition of combined rap songs with Austin food themed lyrics.

            Following intermission, the top ten contestants were announced and the presentation of “The Ideal Date” occurred. Conner Breen (Mr. Blazers) took us into the future with his “Mr. Incredible” themed date and Baylor Morrison (Mr. Camp Texas) sported a Thor outfit and a showed us a date good enough for the Norse Gods.

            The competition narrowed once more to the top five, which included Brian Schwall (Mr. Tejas), Terry Hillis (Mr. Ignite Texas), Shawn Killian (Mr. Texas 4000), Baylor Morrison (Mr. Camp Texas) and Connor Breen (Mr. Blazers). These five men then dove into the nerve-wracking interview round, where they each drew a question from a fish bowl and then gave their best responses. Terry Hillis gave an elaborate and entertaining series of movements to answer the question “Describe a rainbow to a blind person?” Next, Shawn Killian was asked “Describe endless love?” to which he replied “Its like seeing a rainbow for the very first time!”

            Finally, the time to crown the new Mr. Spirit had arrived. Mr. Spirit 2014 Kevin Helgren gave parting words as he prepared to pass on his title. First, Baylor Morrison (Mr. Camp Texas) was announced as Mr. Congeniality, awarded to whoever garnered the most social media support and had the overall best attitude during the weeks prior to competition. Mr. Philanthropy, who raised the most money the week before the show was Divine Ntomchujwu (Mr. Absolute Texxas). Then, Mr. Spirit 2015 was announced as…… Shawn Killian for Texas 4000! During his crowning moment, judge and student body president Xavier Rotnofsky fed him pie in celebration.

            The night was most certainly one to be remembered for years to come! From the entirety of the event about $3,500 was raised for our philanthropies, The Make a Wish Foundation and Saint Louise House. A special thanks to our 2015 Philanthropy Haunt Alex Lawrence and the Mr. Spirit Planning Committee for putting on a spectacular show and to all of our wonderful contest for having the most positive attitudes and best personalities that a male pageant show could ask to have! Stay tuned until next year when the Third Annual Mr. Spirit Pageant Show comes back to dazzle our campus again!

Weenie of the Week: Kayce Campbell

Kayce Campbell

Hometown: College Station, Tx

Major: Nursing

Spring '15 Weenie

If you could travel anywhere, where would that be?

Greece 

If you could meet any fictional character, who would that be?

Daenerys Targaryen because she is the coolest character is Game of Thrones of course! Her style is awesome and she's such a cool and hard leader. 

What is the theme song to your life?

Hakuna Matata

Spirit of the Week: Anisha Srivastava

Anisha Srivastava

Hometown: Allen, Tx

Fall '14 Weenie

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Santorini 

If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?

Olivia Pope because she's a total boss.

What has been your favorite memory from Spirits?

Tap In this year! It was so great to see the excitement of the new class and welcome them into the tradition.

The Breakfast Tacos of Austin

(A Guest Blog By Nisha George)

In a city flush in killer b-fast tacos, a few really rise to the top. Everyone has had a Torchy’s one or a Taco Deli one. Don’t get me wrong; I love both of those places A LOT. However, Austin has an endless supply of breakfast taco opportunities. Why should we limit ourselves to the small handful of convenient places? I decided to make like Robert Frost and take the road less traveled in order to find the hidden gems of the breakfast world. A quest for the best. A breakfact taco pilgrimage. A journey even young Frodo would not dare attempt. Okay, I’m done.

First, I visited Paco’s tacos.

1304 E 51st St

This place made me really happy. This place was made to look old and wooden with old signs covering the inside. Lots of seating, indoor and out. There was great service and I’m pretty sure I got a small discount since it was my first time there. The breakfast taco menu consists of pretty much just migas but there’s a build your own taco option so that’s what I did. It was $1.75 for 2 ingredients and .35 for each additional which is fair, so I got that and a taco from their lunch menu. However, the breakfast taco was MASSIVE and that was all I needed. Everything about the breakfast taco was good. Fresh and yummy. Anything that spilled out of my taco I ate with a fork, no shame.

Then there’s El Chilito (2219 Manor Rd)

I literally just google-mapped the closest taco place when I happened to be in East Austin and this came up. It’s a cute little place with outdoor seating, half covered. I ordered the Cherrywood (eggs, potato, bacon, cheese, avocado) and frankly it felt sort of tasteless. I couldn’t quite place why it wasn’t very good. The tortilla was thick which I like and the ratio of ingredients was good, but it didn’t stand out to me. I was convinced something was wrong with me till I had a second taco from there. I ordered the tomatillo pork which was just a tortilla overloaded with corn and giant chunks of pork. It was not pleasant at all and I couldn’t even take more than a few bites. I probably won’t come back here for the tacos honestly. However, I may come back to try their “ojo rojo.” It’s horchata with espresso!

Next, there’s Donut Taco Palace (6214 N Lamar Blvd). I think this one is actually pretty famous but just in case you haven’t heard, I decided to include it anyways.

There are actually three of them (Donut Taco Palace I, II, and III). I went to III because it appears to be closest. Equipped with old school tables, framed photographs of donuts, and a giant Buddha statue, the place is pretty random. As the name suggest, they have breakfast tacos and donuts AND they also combine the two to make a taco donut. I did not venture out to try to taco donut but I tried a taco and a raspberry donut. I thought both were pretty great. It was made to order and had a great ratio of bacon and egg. Their sauce also has a little bit of an extra kick to. Spicy and cilantro-y, just the way I like it. Almost most importantly, it’s all extremely cheap. Bravo, DTP3. I wonder if 1 and 2 are just as good.

Check out that ~WoRd ArT~

Then there’s Tyson’s Tacos.  (4905 Airport Blvd)

A friend of mine from church mentioned that this was his favorite place; I am now eternally grateful to him. This place was so SO good. It’s not the closest place around but I think it’s worth the trip over to Airport. It’s a taco stand with outdoor seating, mostly covered. I ordered the Wild Feminist (egg, sausage, avocado, potato, pico and just $2.50) and the Al Pastor. They were delicious and perfect in all ways. I was actually really hungry when I went so I really need to go back to double check that this was actually that delicious. These were smallish tacos so I’m definitely glad I got two.  If I had to pick, this place might have been my favorite taste-wise.

In conclusion, I didn’t find the best taco in the world. I simply can’t choose, especially knowing that I went to 4 out of the one billion taco places in Austin and enjoyed almost all of them. I think the main thing to gather is that there ARE other options when Torchy’s has a line out the door and Taco Joint is closed because it’s after 8pm. Austin has so much to offer so carpe diem and buy some tacos.