the beginning.

The first time I ever stepped foot on the Texas A&M campus I knew that I could never go to school anywhere else.  I was a freshman in high school.  I knew nothing about universities or majors or academics or tradition.  But I was head over heels in love with this place purely by the way I felt when I first saw campus.  I loved Kyle Field and the fact that they kept score outside for just for Reveille.  I loved cadets telling me “howdy” on campus.  I loved the grass, the trees, the MSC, and all the maroon.  But most of all, I loved the feeling of it all, the feeling of being a part of something bigger and better than myself.  I wanted to be a part of that tradition that makes Texas A&M so unique.  I wanted to be an Aggie and luckily, I got my wish. 

When the time came for me to apply to college, I applied to other schools.  But I knew that not coming to A&M wasn’t an option.  The day I got my acceptance letter, I ran screaming and crying through my house.  My mother, honest to God, thought that the house was on fire or somebody had been shot in the front yard.  But no, it was only her firstborn child yelling at the top of her lungs about being able to go to the college of her choice.  It was one of the happiest moments of my life.   

I received an invitation to attend Cornerstone Day in probably February.  And I distinctly remember thinking “just what in the world is Cornerstone?”  So I asked my college advisor.  She didn’t know either but suggested I attend as a fact-finding mission.  I suppose that was as good of reason as any to go.  So I went and like everybody else I was hooked line and sinker by the international trip.  Because who doesn’t want to go on an overseas trip that is subsidized by the University?  And truly, I kid you not, that trip will be the best time of your life.  You will wish that you could rewind time and do that trip over and over again. 

But looking back now, I can see that the trip wasn’t the only reason I joined Cornerstone.  In a school of 45,000, it is very easy to get lost in the shuffle.  I found a place where I can be heard, where I have a face, a name, and a voice.  I have a group of people who are like me, who share similar interests along with a passion and love of learning.  I love all the people that I have met in Cornerstone and there truly is never a dull moment with any of them.  To me, that was the most important and best thing about joining Cornerstone.  I am grateful everyday that I was given this opportunity to pursue excellence in the College of Liberal Arts 

So.   It is with a great amount of pride and pleasure that I am able to introduce myself as thus…HOWDY!  My name is Kathryn Sinclair and I’m a sophomore History major from Houston, Texas!  But mostly importantly, I am the loudest and proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2012!  A-A-A-A-A! 

Thanks and Gig ‘Em.