This week, we had the pleasure of interview one of the Senior Yell Leader Candidates: Viona Varaniqi. Just spending a couple of hours with her, we could immediately tell how much passion and love flowed through her veins for everything A&M. It seemed like we were catching up with an old friend, and her smile was just infectious. We hope y'all enjoy this interview with Viona, and hopefully, get to know her a little better!

Bio: Howdy! I am a junior Human Resource major from McKinney, TX. I am a first generation Aggie, born in Kosovo and moved to the US when I was 4, because there was a war in Kosovo. When the war ceased, my entire family went back, except for my parents. They stayed here because there were greater opportunities for my sister and I. I have a sister (17), and two twin little brothers (3) who are my absolute best friends.

When I decided to come to A&M, I didn’t have a predisposed track of where to go to college, because my parents didn’t go to school here. So that left me with the choice to go wherever I wanted to. I actually had a cousin who went to A&M and she showed me around my junior year of high school. It wasn’t even an official tour, but I instantly felt so at home here, that I didn’t even visit or apply anywhere else. Honestly, I can not picture my life anywhere else now. God knew what he was doing when he guided me to come to Texas A&M, the best university in the world. This was the best decisions I’ve made in my life. In my time here I’ve been privileged and blessed to be involved in different organizations such as Fish Camp, Class Councils, Aggie Belles; I’ve been a part of things such as Big Event and Muster. These experiences have truly made me realize just how much love and passion towards this university and Aggie family I have burning inside of me, and I just want to find a way to express and exude that.

(Viona and her siblings.)

1. What inspired you to run for Yell?

This has been a dream of mine for a very long time. I’ve been privileged to be involved with things here at A&M that have really opened my eyes and heart and helped me discover the amount of passion I have for the Spirit and tradition that make this Aggie family what it is. The spirit and unity that resides within us is so genuine and has never failed to blow me away! From the minute I stepped foot on campus, I have found myself constantly seeking out ways to let my undying love for our school and its traditions pour. Texas A&M has given more to me than I could ever express all of my gratitude for, and pursuing this Yell Leader position would not only help me put forth this undying love that I have, but also serve the University and the student body in one of the most humbling ways. It is when I realized that the tradition of a Yell Leader is an individual who is so passionate about serving this university that they would do anything in their power to exude and preserve our spirit and tradition, represent and unify the student body through our core values, and be someone that Aggies past, present, and future can count on, that I decided to make this incredibly humbling honor my goal.

2. What was your overall response when you decided to run?

I was absolutely blown away and really left speechless by the insane amount of love and support that people showed. I sat at my computer for five hours until it crashed and was just left speechless by peoples’ responses. Everyone was so incredibly supportive and that really reaffirmed my decision of doing this; because, it's not just for myself, it is for the entire 12th Man. Making my peers proud and inspiring them - that would be more than I could ask for. I am seriously so blessed.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS!!! If anyone deserves to be yell leader, it's this girl right here. She has more passion for this University and our students than anyone I have ever met. Please vote for Viona Vraniqi!! ‪#‎thanksandgigem ‪#‎beavoice - Morgan

3. What do you hope to bring to Yell as a woman?

I want this campaign to be simply about the passion and love to serve this university rather than external characteristics. I’d like to say, if this campaign was run behind a black curtain with masked voices, nothing else would matter but the passion and purpose that guides us to do this. I would bring the same thing to yell as a woman as I would as a male - passion, spirit, and humility. I have not let the fact that I am a female hinder or stop me from chasing this dream. However, I hope that being a woman and running for this role shows truly how much this means to me and inspires others to not let anything, not one single thing, stop them from chasing their dream.

How awesome would it be to have our very first female yell leader?? Answer: extremely awesome! But that's not why you should vote for Viona. You should vote for her because she is honestly the loudest and proudest member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie family that I have ever come across. Her passion for this school and its students is so evident in everything she does and I know she would make an amazing yell leader! So vote Viona Vraniqi for senior yell! – Madeline

4. What would you like to say to anyone who is opposed to a woman running for yell?

I would say that’s ok, because everyone is able to have their views. But, I will still do anything to make you proud. The tradition of a Yell Leader should be about embodying the spirit and values that we as Aggies hold so close to our hearts - they are what shape us into the unique and truly special place we are. It should be about being so passionate about it, that you would do anything in your power to make the 12th Man and this University proud to call you a Yell Leader. When the tradition of a Yell Leader was established, the student body was solely composed of male Corps members, and we have grown so much since then. I have looked up to and admired all of the Yell Leaders that have come before me, and hope that I can be as great of a role model to others as they were to me.

5. Last week, A&M named another consecutive female Corps Commander. Do you think this is a step in the right direction to increasing the female voice on campus?

I think that no matter what the role is that is being fulfilled by a male or female, it comes down to their qualifications to fulfill that particular role, and the responsibilities and values that they are expected to exude. In our case, the role of Corps Commander has been filled by a female two years in a row. I am so happy for Cecille and give her the biggest congratulations, not because she is a female, but because she has all of the qualifications, values, passions, and motivations to fulfill this privileged role as those who have come before her have! By naming a second consecutive female Corps Commander in a row, it shows that it really has become about who can step into the position the best rather than what’s on the outside. I think it’s really incredible that Texas A&M is emphasizing the importance of passion and merit.

In all of my years teaching here at A&M, I have never been blessed by a student with a more beautiful soul. Viona Vraniqi, YOU, my dear, will change the world! – Lucy Waite

For the most part everyone has been more supportive than I could have ever hoped or wished for. I’ve been challenged to show those who don’t know me for who I am and who simply see me as an image, a female candidate, just how passionate I am and how much this genuinely means to me. I have been willing to put myself in a very vulnerable position where people can easily judge or comment based off of what they see, but at the end of the day, it is all worth it to me. Every sacrifice is worth it.

7. What are your favorite A&M Traditions?

Whoop! Wow. As a member of Class Councils, whose role is to organize and host many of the Texas A&M traditions that we have (Ring Dance, Elephant Walk, Maroon Out, Fish Fest, Pull Out Day, etc..) I’ve been able to see multiple aspects of our traditions, and it has been one of the most unique and humbling experiences ever. It's super hard for me to narrow down my favorite traditions. However, I would say that Muster and the tradition of the 12th Man sit at the surface of my heart. They truly exemplify the blessing of being an Aggie.

I was lucky enough to get the absolute best DG mom I could ask for during fish camp and now she's campaigning to be a yell leader!! Viona was a huge reason of what made me excited to start attending Texas A&M and embodies everything about the Aggie spirit. Be a voice and vote for Viona!!! – Alex

8. Who are your role models and why do you admire them?

My parents are hands down my role models. They have shown me what it means to be strong. They have shaped me into being the person I am today and have sacrificed their whole world in order to encourage me to chase my dreams. That has kept me driven to make the most of every single opportunity that is put before me, always reach past my goals, and never stop chasing my dreams. I wouldn’t be here without them.

For More Information, check out Viona's social media links here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voteviona/?fref=ts

Twitter: @voteviona_2017

Instagram: @be_a_voice.voteviona