Tap In Fall 2016

by Masha Aseeva

On Wednesday, September 21, 2016, the Fall 2016 weenie class of Texas Spirits was tapped in. Little did they know, their lives just changed in the most positive and transformative way. Just a year before, I was tapped in to Texas Spirits in the Fall '15 weenie class. Tap In is a small part of the scope of traditions that date back 75 years, but it's definitely a great start. That day, I encountered 25 other girls that would end up shaping my life, be it a small prod into my character or a robust squeeze that altered my form forever. 25 strangers, 25 doors that hadn't been opened yet were beckoning me to come closer. In fact, there weren't 25- there were over 100 open doors of others who had been chosen just like me. The value of Tap In, and the organization in general, is that we select Spirits and what Spirits represents; we select ourselves. The scarf represents more than an outfit upgrade, or even Longhorn spirit (though we do it best). It represents game-changers. Girls that will change the world, that go the extra mile, that will support you in your hardest times. If it seems like most people are surface level, you won't find that in Spirits. We're definitely adept at small talk, but there is a deep passion and connection in what we talk about. The things that give life spark and vigor are in these girls. 

Masha at Fall 2015 Tap-In

Last year, after being flooded with information and tasks on what I would have to do at the onset of Weenie semester, I went to a Ratatat concert, alone, and danced my heinie off despite everything else looming over me. Spirits has been and always will be a support system; not something to sacrifice myself for, but rather a method to truly find and cultivate my own uniquity. The support and community that I found on that first day was so uplifting, and I was thriving off of it. A year later, right after Tap In Fall 2016, I went to a Beirut concert by myself. I danced through any pain of running around all day, but most importantly, I was secure in myself. Nothing had changed, yet so much also did. I still love music so much to go to shows alone. But now, throughout my waking world, I feel the support that Spirits has given me. I've only known Fall '15 for a year! A year of friendship. So short, yet so full. I cannot imagine what another year will bring. I cannot understate the value of community; the support that comes with knowing that you are loved no matter what, that you are a part of something bigger. That you are here to be YOU, and nobody else. Also, a weenie from the Fall '16 class was at the show as well (arrived alone but found people) and I had no idea! 

You are comprised of who you surround yourself with. In this sense, you must choose wisely. Be strong in your convictions and passions, for they make you who you are. You never know, those ideals might just make you a Spirit. #unapologeticallyYourself

Introducing Spring 2016...

Welcome to our Spring 2016 weenie class! We cannot wait to welcome you to the tradition CIWY

Aditi Chalise

Alayna Enos

Alexa Baran

Amila Lulo

Charlotte Lichtenheld

Elaine Garner

Han Bui

Heena Bhakta

Jennifer Ray

Jordan Brown

Katherine Mullings

Kelly Nwonuma

Kelly O'Neill

Louisa Angly

Madison Gwynn

Mallika Maheshwary

Mallory Miller

Margaret Berno

Mari Meier

Marissa Casas

Michaela Caughy

Michelle Zhang

Sabrina Tran

Sarah Grace Forbes

Shalaka Damle

Sydney Mike-Mayer

Sticking Together Through the Seasons

By: Skyla Sale

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” 

     This quote means so much to be when I think about the many friends that I've made while being a part of Texas Spirits. On my first day, at Tap In, one of the seniors came up to me and said "Are you so excited?! You just met some of your new best friends!" When she said that, I had no idea what she was talking about. How could I even fathom that the people I had just met were going to be my best friends? 

     As time went on in Spirits, life was also going on for each of us. In my pledge class, degree paths altered, boys came and went (some stayed), fashion changed, it snowed in Texas, we had a bomb threat, families and friends from home went through tough times, and many other seasons went by. Yet all the while, we had each other. 

     Our pledge class had some groups like most classes have, but when we were able to get together for a Spirits event, we always had an absolute blast! I'll never forget the Weenie Oahu that we pregammed when we first became actives. Or spring break, or even that random potluck where someone made 25 plates of spaghetti. 

     Sometimes people would be sparse--but when they came around, you cherished every moment. Sometimes people (probably me) would be asking so many questions that you couldn't tell if they were interrogating you or trying to catch up. So many laughable moments, and so many sister moments. Being in a group like Texas Spirits does more than allow you to meet amazing women. It also provides you with unforgettable memories with people who will be in your heart forever. <3 

Red River Reflections

(Guest Blog by Holly Cook)

     This past weekend I took the daring trip to a little ol' place called Dallas, Texas to take part in festivities known as "Texas/OU Weekend". You might ask yourself, "Daring? To watch football?" and to that I would answer "Quite so." You see, it's no secret to the university and well, the rest of the nation, that in recent years UT football has had it's fair share of struggles. This struggle really reached a low point when over this current season we accumulated our worst record since 1956. So to journey up into a territory, swarming with boisterous Oklahoma fans ready to laugh at your pending loss, I would say is a dare.
     When stepping onto the fair grounds, it was apparent that the number of Oklahoma fans far out weighed the Texas ones. Many, when making the decision whether or not to come up, decided no, saying "I don't want to waste all that time just to see us lose... badly." Many others just wanted to see Drake perform Hotline Bling for the second time at ACL. (But who could blame them?) Now I must admit, while I did attend the fair and travel to Dallas I was one of those who did not make their way into the Cotton Bowl Stadium. The tickets themselves can get pretty pricy, especially on top of all the other expenses that go into the whole weekend. But I wasn't really going to miss out on anything, right?
     While chowing down into a large fried spaghetti and meat ball sometime during the first quarter, I heard the cannon go off earlier than expected. While I thought time was just flying by, as it might when enjoying the wondrous fried foods offered at the fair, I soon realized that the cannon sound was no ordinary quarterly ring. Then, in the near future, another boom of the cannon went off. At that point my curiosity was answered when a man deck out in lovely burnt orange screamed "Texas up 14-0!" At that point the group I was with decided that we should probably find a tent and go watch the game. (After the dog show that was about to begin though.)
     So, as everyone now knows, the horns ended up winning 24-17 with some intense back and forth "TEXAS/OU SUCKS" action during the game's entirety. Of course, the later being the correct use of the phrase. While, I wasn't basking in the glory of victory inside the stadium, I could still hear The Eyes of Texas ringing throughout the fair. It's the kind of thing that makes you proud to be a Longhorn and the kind of feeling you hope to get after every football game. While I doubt many games in the future will rival the upset of the Red River Showdown of 2015, I hope the excitement and belief can carry us through the season. Maybe if in the future we ever find the horns with "the worst season start since 2015" (which we can all agree on not wanting this to happen) we can still come early, be loud, stay late and wear a lot of burnt orange with pride!

Also, it's 10:54 and OU still sucks. (Sorry, I just had to.)

Presenting the Fall '15 Weenie Class!

After weeks of recruitment, we finally got to have our Tap In ceremony at The Littlefeild House to welcome these 26 beautiful ladies to the Tradition! 

Congratulations to all of you!

And now presenting the Fall '15 Weenie Class...

Aashima Garg

Abigail Kellstedt

Abigail Vandewalle

Aimee Low

Andrea Yazbeck

Bailey Kroll

Cailen Hollins

Claire Bilski

Claire Hardwick

Claire Puccini

Courtney Land

Daisy Holland

Erin Markey

Erin Royall

Jasmine Poyatos

Kristen Mckenna

Laura Michie

Luzdivina Ruiz

Masha Aseeva

Mati Castro

Meredith Riggs

Oshadi Wimalarathne

Pilar Pitalue

Rachel Truong

Risa Miller

Yuna Chu