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."

Announcing Ghost Council 2015!

With each new calendar year comes a new Ghost Council to serve as the executive board for Texas Sprits. To present the newly elected GC, here is each member with their favorite quote!

Chief Haunt

Abz Zeitler

“It always seems impossible until its done.” ~Nelson Mandela

Vice Haunt

Bridget McLaughlin

"If you can take it, you can make it." ~Louis Zamperini, Unbroken

Banker Haunt

Kruti Mehta

“Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” ~Lewis Carroll

Contact Haunt

Paige Kroll

"When people try to rain on your parade, poke them in the eye with your umbrella." ~Anonymous

Spirit Haunts

Madi Low
"It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance." ~Kid President

Kiki Nicholas

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in every moment.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Special Project Haunts

Ashley Sereno
“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” ~Coco Chanel

Gracie Lemley
"Maybe some girls are not meant to be tamed. Maybe they are suppose to run wild until they find someone, just as wild, to run with." ~ Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

Philanthropy Haunt

Alex Lawrence

“My Dear fellow, who will let you?” “That’s not the point. The point is, who will stop me?” 

~Fountainhead, Ayn Rand

Service Haunt

Raveena Saini

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” ~Norman Vinvent Peale

Hook 'em Haunt

Alyssa Kahl

“There’s nothing we can’t do if we work hard, never sleep, and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives.” ~Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreations

Traditions Haunt

Kelsey Roberts
"Live long and prosper." Spock, Star Trek

Public Relations Haunt

Holly Cook

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” 

~The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, JRR Tolkien

Royal Spirit Haunt

Kira Hamilton

“Our finger prints never fade from the lives that we touch” ~Remember Me