Tag Archives: Friendship

Memories that Last

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By Aaqila Rasheed

My final semester here at Baylor University is slowly winding down. I cannot believe that these past four and a half years flew by so quickly. I tend to have these random nostalgic moments when I think about some good times at Baylor. I ponder over the friends that I have made or awkward situations that life brings. One in particular memory stems from junior year, and I’ll never forget it.

In Texas, it can get cold. I know this sounds crazy, but we do have a winter. Sometimes, it even snows. When this happens, the dean will occasionally let us have a snow day even though most states endure more inches of snow than Texas ever can. With this perk of living in the south, Baylor makes for a great place to have snow fights. Other states might call these “ice fights,” but hey, you have to make do with what you have.

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a Friday early afternoon when I got the email that the remainder of classes had been cancelled. Luckily for me, all of my classes were in the afternoon, so I took full advantage of this free day. After seeing the email, a massive amount of text messages invaded my phone, telling me where to meet for an epic snow fight. I grabbed my gloves, scarf and jacket and made my way to the vacant patch of grass right across from Collins dormitory. Needless to say, we had a ton of child-like fun as we made snowballs and tried not to slip and fall.

These are the moments that I will miss as the season of college ends for me; however, I am very grateful for pictures and videos that will always serve as a reminder of the wonderful moments that I had with my friends in Bear Country.

The View From Where I’m Sitting

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By Shannon Sandridge

Anyone can watch the Baylor game on television and have a good time, but that cannot come close to the experience that is a football game from a student’s perspective. So, here’s just a taste of it.

We bring flags.

 

 

 

 

 

We have fun while we wait to run the line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We represent our mascot in the middle of the Texas heat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We take #EveryoneinBlack very seriously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re really good to our mascot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, we’re willing to be downright ridiculous for our team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s my friends as Batman and a Scotsman…

 

 

 

 

 

And, my personal favorite, the human pom pom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baylor football is crazy fun when you’re a student. And, did I mention the tickets are free for us? I love going to a place with students that have this much school spirit and pride.

Game Day Schedule

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By Mary Margaret Hambuchen

Baylor football is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Last week, we had the gracious privilege of beating OU on our own turf, 41-12. Baylor distributed more 10,000 student tickets (which are free by the way) and sold the game completely out. Coach Art Briles called for everyone attending the game to “black out” from head to toe. Baylor tweeted several days before the game that the university had apparently bought up every available long sleeve black T-shirt in the 8 surrounding states. Talk about dedicated!

Coming from SEC territory, football was something I was very concerned with when making my college decision (as shallow as it may sound). I wanted a large, growing program that had loyal, spirited fans and students. What I found was Baylor. And, let me tell you, in the past two and a half years we have come to be exactly that.

Let’s take a walk through my typical game day schedule, shall we?

9:30- Wake up, have a coffee and smile for the fact that it’s GAME DAY.

10:00- Run errands, shop for that last minute cute green top, sweater, dress, etc.

11:15- Do a little homework…if time permits. (I mean, it’s GAME DAY, OK?)

12:30- Shower, make-up, hair, try on shoes, pick jewelry…girls, you know the drill.

2:00- Meet up with the crew. Take pictures, grab a bite to eat, laugh and be merry.

2:45- TIME TO GET OUR TAILGATE ON.

3:00-Arrive at The Case (Floyd Casey Stadium). Hit up our favorite tailgates, take more pictures, say hello to every single person we know (or sometimes it seems like), get lost from each other and end up with an entirely new crew. Oh well.

4:45-Briefly find each other again and talk about what time we are heading into the game. Come to no conclusion. Socializing continues. Everyone gets lost all over again.

5:45- Head to stadium. Make sure everyone has ticket, wait in box office line with forgetful/lazy people who don’t.

6:15- FIND SEATS…and half of original crew members. Save a seat for so-and-so who had to go to the bathroom.

6:30- Realize you have to go to the bathroom. Ask friends to save two seats. Come back 15 minutes later to find neither. Find two friends and squeeze between them. Get comfortable.

7:00- GAME TIME. Running of The Line. National Anthem. Prayer. SIC ‘EMS.

8:30- Half time. Do we leave? NEVER.

10:00- BAYLOR WINS. End of story.

11:00- Make it back to house with whole original crew. Pizza is ordered. Sleep is had. Dreams of Sic ‘Ems, Brusier and Baylor football dance through our heads.

There you have it folks: Baylor Game Day. If you’re ever in town, grab some tickets and find me at the tailgate. Hey, we might even have a few gut paks, my treat.

SIC ‘EM BAYLOR NATION.

#MyBaylorFamily

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By Ashley Woo

During last night’s football game against Oklahoma, I was reminded of the one aspect that drew me to prefer Baylor over any other university – and that was the aspect of family. In a silly kind of way, the fact that every single person (OU fans excluded) in the stadium rose to Baylor’s call for a blackout reminded me of my first thought when I stepped onto Baylor campus, “I am not just a number or a file in the admissions office. I’m part of something that is much greater than me.” We yell together, cheer together, heckle the Oklahoma players together and celebrate victories together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Baylor family doesn’t just stop at football. When I came for my first campus visit, so many random people offered to show me around and tell me the good places to eat in Waco. I’ve heard many people say, “You will never meet a stranger at Baylor.” Because Baylor is a mid-sized, private school, you really cannot walk to class without seeing someone that you know. Even with strangers, there is a sense of camaraderie and Baylor pride. One of my favorite stories to tell my friends is the time I lost my wallet my freshman year. After eating lunch with a couple of my friends at Student Union Building (SUB), I was in a hurry to get to class, so I did not realize until later that I had left my wallet. Not only did a senior guy contact me that he had my wallet, but he also drove over to my dorm to return it to me.

Another one of my favorite things about my Baylor family is that Baylor celebrities are ordinary people, who happen to do incredible things. They are supportive, down to earth and straight up genuine. Last week, my sorority hosted a spaghetti dinner benefitting our philanthropy. It was awesome to see that Bryce Petty (Baylor quarterback) and Eddie Lackey (Baylor linebacker) came to support our cause.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One person who has become famous for his support and love for the Baylor family is president Judge Kenneth Starr. It not uncommon to see him at various events on campus or running the Baylor Line with the freshman class. His commitment to selflessly serving Baylor is seen so evidently through his involvement with the student body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, my Baylor family is not complete without the friendships that I have made during my time at Baylor. Committing to go to a school where I only knew a few people was one of the biggest tests of faith in my life. However, looking back now as a senior, I have found that God has blessed me with women that have truly become my best friends and most importantly, my family.

A Family that Prays Together, Stays Together

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By Aaqila Rasheed

One of the things that I absolutely love about Baylor is the different ways to get involved. When I first came to Baylor, many people believed that I would soon dropout. I am a preacher’s kid and with that title comes a lot of stereotypes. It was disconcerting to know that people thought I would soon be home due to an unwanted pregnancy; however, I was determined to prove them wrong. I was so determined that I hooked up with the Impact Movement here at Baylor.

Joining Baylor’s chapter of the Impact Movement was a great decision for me. The organization emphasizes discipleship and evangelism. We meet every Thursday for Bible Study, gather on the weekends for community service, host talent shows and keep each other spiritually accountable. We’ve been involved with University events such as Stompfest and Steppin’ Out. This group provided me with an alternative to the party-sleep-repeat pattern that most believed I would fall into. I met with people that I could do life with. They shared the same goal as I did: staying spiritually rooted in Christ during this journey through college.

The people I met really are family. What started as surface level friendships soon turned into what will be life-long relationships. I know that even after this season at Baylor, I will always be able to call my family for honesty and wisdom. What really brought us closer together was the fact that every time we gathered, we gathered with intentionality to encourage each other on the Biblical truths that we believe. Christ is the foundation of our organization and the foundation of our relationships. It’s a foundation that cannot be shaken. I guess it’s true what they say, “A family that prays together, stays together.”

Writing for Journalism

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By Avery Jackson

I am a Public Relations major, and I love it! A lot of the time, I am assigned to write stories about interesting people that could be published in a magazine or newspaper. I wrote this piece on my best friend, Ashley Sunderman. Basically, I interviewed her and asked her about herself and her time at Baylor. It’s not supposed to be a serious piece, so I wrote it pretty informally!

Super Woman

As a junior at Baylor, Ashley Sunderman, is every guys’ dream girl (and yes, she is currently single!).

“I’m normally reading Harry Potter or watching Dr. Who. Last week, I bought a Star Trek T-shirt,” she laughed. “I can’t help it, I’m a nerd at heart!”

Standing outside of her favorite coffee shop, Ashley debates if she needs her caffeine or a smoothie.

Not one to be known as a “girly girl,” Ashley is normally seen wearing her combat boots and carrying a book about exercise physiology. I got the chance to talk to her in between her busy class schedule of eighteen hours and her two part-time jobs.

“I work for a real estate broker as his personal assistant. I also take care of medically-fragile children. There is one eight-year-old boy that I watch. I’m basically a glorified babysitter. I entertain him, change his diapers and give him baths,” she said. “He has spina bifida, which is a birth defect involving the spinal cord. Even though he isn’t cognitively developed enough to talk back, he gets his thoughts across and is hilarious!”

Recently, Ashley made the decision to become a nursing major.  She attributes the Baylor professors and classes as the main things that have helped her with this decision.

Getting all of her studying done along with classes, activities and work can be pretty challenging for Ashley.

“Baylor has given me a lot of tools that I’m going to use in the real world,” she said as she smiled. “It has helped me learn to manage my time so much more effectively, and the professors really care about me as a person, not just another student.”

After graduating from high school in Troy, Texas, Ashley had her pick of colleges. Because of her academic standing and high school activities, several schools offered her a lot of scholarship money.

“I liked Baylor the best because the atmosphere and campus was pretty awesome. The girl in me also loved of the beauty of Baylor.”

It also helped that she knew several of the girls on the Baylor Spirit Squad, which she joined as a sophomore.

The normal activity Ashley and I do when we get together: Laugh!

“I got to cheer on the field at all the home football games at the Floyd Casey stadium. I loved it!”

Ashley is one of my favorite people on the Baylor campus because she shows real Baylor spirit and seems to be a super woman. She works hard in everything she does from cheer and class to family and work. But, she attributes Baylor to being one of the most supporting roles in her life.

“Baylor is a really helpful university because they want you to succeed! They push you to excel and be the best you that you can be.”

Color Me Rad

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By Laura Teague

Last year on the last day of class, my roommate and I drove to Austin to participate in the Color Run. We had a total blast! It was a great way to celebrate the end of school and run a race together. It was a 5K, which normally would have terrified me. But, it wasn’t timed, which took all pressure away and let us just have fun.

When we heard there was another run coming to Waco through a company called Color Me Rad, we knew we had to sign up. A few of my friends did Color Me Rad in Eugene, Ore., and they said it was even better than the Color Run! This time, we did it with our college group leader, and it was fun seeing a bunch of our friends as we ran! Everyone kept leading Sic ‘Ems and mentioning the game; we were literally surrounded by Baylor students and fans. People dress up crazy for these events, so our leader Kylie decided to get us into the spirit by making tutus that she found on Pinterest. We all wore a different color and got corresponding sunglasses to match.

The race was at the BSR Cable Park, which is a wakeboarding cable park about 20 minutes from campus. The course goes through the park’s back woods, which made me feel like I was running trails back home in Oregon. The one thing I didn’t expect from this run was seeing any wildlife. As we were running, we heard branches cracking to our right, and when we looked, we saw a pack of deer running at us! They jumped right over the runners, who were obviously scaring them out of their home. It definitely added a crazy twist to the day!

Supposedly another company is doing another race in Waco, and we will for sure consider doing it! They are a great way to be active and are definitely more fun than running the Bear Trail twice. Baylor did one during Diadeloso last year, so keep your eye out for them in the area!

Cheetahs, Zebras and Bunnies! Oh My!

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By Emily Woodby

TyFor me, Halloween marks the real beginning of fall. With pumpkin spice lattes and fall décor everywhere, I can’t help but savor the cooler breeze and the sense of warmth it somehow gives me. At the beginning of the year, one thing that I heard about constantly was the Freshman Leadership Organization’s (FLO) Halloween dance at Cameron Park Zoo. I didn’t know what to expect besides seeing other freshmen in costumes. Now I know what the rage was all about.

 

Beanie Babies

At the zoo, there are these huge stairs that lead down to the dance floor, which lies between two animal exhibits. I thought this was a really cool location; we were all dancing like crazy right next to monkeys and tigers that were just hanging out. OK, now to the most important part: the costumes. Earlier that day, my friends and I didn’t have a clue as to what we were going to be. Then, I had the grand idea of dressing up as Beanie Babies! They all laughed at me and doubted my brilliant plan, but who had the last laugh? I happen to think we made the cutest Beanie Babies there ever were, but I may be a little biased. Just like any other girl, I love to dress up, so Halloween is the perfect holiday for me!

The Bear Trail: A Baylor Tradition

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By Torie Abbott

The Bear Trail: It’s one of Baylor students’ favorite aspects of campus life. The well-known jogging trail outlines campus and runs about two and half miles total. It’s a small, one-lane dirt trail, but it’s one of the most popular places to run in Waco.

When I run in the morning, I get to see amazing views of this beautiful university.

When I toured Baylor during my senior year of high school, I noticed that there were a lot of people running around campus. I found it strange at first! When we began our tour, we first stopped at the Student Life Center, also known as the SLC. It’s a huge athletic complex for students and faculty. Inside, there are multiple ways to workout, including treadmills, free weights, an indoor track, basketball and racquetball courts and a newly-renovated rock climbing wall.

Baylor is a super athletic place! As a freshman, I thought it would be hard to make time to exercise. But, this wasn’t the case at all. Jogging the Bear Trail is one of my favorite ways to workout on campus. It has become a ritual for my friends and I to run the trail daily. Not only has it made our friendships stronger, but it has connected us to Bears of the past and future.

Dance the Night Away

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By Mary Margaret Hambuchen

The buzz of excitement, adrenaline and testosterone is very obviously surging through the 100 young men standing in a crowded clump right in front of me. Frantically, they decide to do one last rub down with charcoal as I do my best to quiet down their anxious chitter chatter. They reek of sweat and dirt, but they display crude manliness and pure God-given joy. With nothing less than a six-foot metal door separating them from the hundreds of students, parents, girlfriends, professors, alumni and family members, it is imperative that they calm down and keep themselves quiet. But, let’s be honest. My meaning of quiet and the meaning of quiet to 100 fraternity boys dressed as old western men covered in dirt is vastly different.

The tradition of All-University Sing is a huge part of Baylor’s culture. Students spend an entire year planning a seven-minute Broadway style act featuring elaborate costumes, arranged music, award-winning choreography and professional style props, all allowed to cost up to FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. Wow-zers! For your viewing pleasure, I am including some links to some super awesome montages that Baylor has put together to give you a better idea of the tradition. Check it out:

Sing 2013 Montage

Sing Chair Interviews 2013

From All-University Sing comes a tradition called Pigskin, where the top eight Sing acts advance to a showcase during the following fall’s Homecoming Weekend. A student organization known as Student Productions Committee, (or StuPro for short) which I just so happen to be a member of, has the privilege of producing and running both Sing and Pigskin. This past year, I also was able to serve Pi Beta Phi as a vocalist in our Pigskin act “Tacky Tourists.” With three performances, a football game, two tests and a paper, my Homecoming Weekend contained very little sleep. But who needs sleep anyway, right?

Here are a few snapshots of my experiences in Sing and Pigskin!