Spirit of the Week: Gracie Hopkins

Gracie Hopkins

Hometown: San Antonio, Tx

Major: Bilingual Elementary School Education

Fall '14 Weenie

Where is the next place you would like to travel? 

The next place I would like to travel to is any Spanish speaking country! Fortunately, I’m going to Mexico for Spring Break for a mission trip with my church! I’m super excited because I am trying to become fluent in Spanish and this will give me the opportunity to practice the language while serving Christ by building houses for local citizen of Reynosa, Mexico! Traveling means a lot to me, therefore I take any opportunity I can to visit a new place, meet new people, and understand their culture. I am fascinated with Spanish language and customs, and I can’t wait for the day that I get my own classroom of first or second grade bilingual students!

Which historical figure would you most want to meet?

Without a doubt, I would definitely want to meet Mother Teresa. There are few words gracious enough to describe such an inspiring and momentous woman. Her dedication to faith, her acceptance of her doubts, and her never-ending dedication to the Lord’s call compare to no other. She inspires me to find something I am passionate about and to stop at nothing to help others. Her selflessness and love for her brothers and sisters in Christ encourages me to be more like her everyday.

What is your favorite memory from Spirits?

I have so many great memories in Spirits, but one of my favorites has to be Initiation Dinner and Initiation Brunch! That was a point in the semester where I could look around all the girls in my weenie class and realize that I truly love each of them and that they accepted me for exactly who I am. I knew that in just one semester I grew up a lot and became incredibly close to those who had once been strangers. I’m so excited to spend the next few years with them by my side! Fall Fourteen Forever!

Spirit of the Week: Ashley McAdams

Ashley McAdams

Hometown: Deer Park Tx

Major: Supply Chain Management

Fall '11 Weenie

Where is the next place you would like to travel?

The next place I'd like to travel is back to Europe. A bunch of my friends I made while studying abroad in Australia are European, and I would love to go visit them! There's so much to see in Europe, and I want to go back and see more!

Which historical figure would you most like to meet? 
I would most want to meet Benjamin Franklin. As a scientist, inventor, and theorist, among other things, he has been an extremely influential person in our nation's history. I've read parts of his Autobiography and was impressed by the measures he took to directly improve his life and happiness. I even implemented some of his tactics into my own everyday life.

What is your favorite Texas Spirits memory?

My favorite memory in Spirits is difficult to decide on because I have four amazing years' worth to choose from! One of my favorites though is definitely Weenie Beanie my weenie semester, when I received my "Big" and my Ghoulfamily. It's so much fun dressing up in a costume and having to find your matching family. My big and I were (and still are) so close, and it was fun to be a part of such a special piece of Texas Spirits' history.

January Spirits of the Week

Juli Scamardo

Hometown: Sugar Land, Tx

Major: Environmental Science

Spring 14 Weenie

What is the theme song to your life?

Dreams by Passion Pit. This song pumps me up in that I can do anything, life is so refreshing kind of way! It's a cover of a 90's song by the cranberries, so it has a nice 'let me jump on my bed and dance along' feel. It's a very free-spirited song, it reminds me that it's okay to change my mind, but I want whatever I settle on to give me the same feeling that this song does. 

Where is the next place you would like to travel?

 Is the rest of the world an option? I would love to travel to South America to see Macchu Picchu and Patagonia. I've actually known quite a few people in spirits and outside of spirits who have done this recently and their stories inspire me to do it even more! I am also looking into studying abroad in Australia, so we'll see which one happens first! 

What is your favorite memory from spirits? 

Probably either when I got my big or when I got my little. I remember being so incredibly excited when I got Alex, my big. I remember calling my mom and telling her all about it I was so excited! I also loved when I finally got my perfect little, Melissa! Everyone kept telling me how amazing she is, but let's be honest, I already knew! My ghoulfam rocks, and I love every one of them!

Morgan Barnhill

Hometown: Baytown, Tx

Major: Speech Pathology

Spring 14 Weenie

What is the theme song to your life?

My theme song is....Legacy by Nichole Nordeman, I try to live by the lyrics of this song everyday! 

Where is the next place you would like to travel?

I would love to travel to Spain next because I have taken five years of Spanish and would love to be fluent in the language (plus there is salsa, amazing food and a romantic lifestyle). 

What is your favorite memory from spirits?

My favorite memory from spirits is the day I got my family! This day can qualify as three separate days, the day I got tapped-in and had the privilege to meet my 25 weenie sisters/100+ amazing women that continue to shape the person I am today, the day I got my divalicious ghoulfam and the day I got my baby ghoul friend! I believe where your family is, so is your home. I have definitely found my home in Texas Spirits!

Winter Break Spotlight

Over Winter Break some Texas Spirits stayed busy with travels and volunteer work both locally and internationally!

Bea Scott

Bea Scott, a Spring 13 Weenie, traveled to Cusco, Peru with the Ubelong program to volunteer in the education department. She worked with 23 three year olds in an after school program, reading and actively engaging them in their daily activities. She loved how every morning the kids would crowd around in anticipation for the morning crafting project and be so excited to constantly play! During her free time, Bea explored the geography of Peru and Bolivia where she hiked Machu Picchu biked down Death Road.

Riddhi Patodia

Riddhi Patodia, a Fall 14 Weenie, travel abroad with UT Global Medical Training, where she set out on a medical mission to provide quality healthcare to underprivileged families in the villages of San Rafael del Yuma, Dominican Republic. She and her team treated and diagnosed almost 600 patients, stumbling upon disorders like osteogenesis, uterine prolapses, scabies, inguinal hernias, polio, and much more. Riddhi recalls that “not only did we gain medical experience but we were so immensely blessed by the continuous gratitude from these people. They have helped us in more ways than we have helped them and it has left my heart filled to the brim with love and appreciation. I will forever be grateful for this life changing experience.”

Kaci Nguyen and Helena Castle

Making a positive impact close to home was Kaci Nguyen, a Fall 12 weenie and Helena Castle, a Fall 14 weenie, who both volunteered with Austin Caritas 2015, which targeted service in the east Austin area. Throughout the week they worked with organizations that included Marianella (a refugee home), Mary House (a home for dislocated workers), Austin Street Youth Ministry, Micah 6 (a food pantry), Chicon Pregnancy Resource Center and Austin State Supported Living Center. The experience inspired Kaci, sharing "The mission trip was a challenging experience, but the spirit of the mission reminded me to "be not afraid" of loving and serving with all that I have." Helena felt that the experience “opened my eyes and my heart up to aspects of the Austin community that most of us don't get to experience on a regular basis."