A lot can happen in a day. My Odyssey article, "The Aggie Heart Ring" was posted midmorning on Tuesday, and by the following Wednesday afternoon, I was bouncing off the walls. So please humor me as I regale you with the details that lead to such an unusual afternoon activity:
Almost immediately after the article was shared on Facebook, my dear friend Ashley reached out and encouraged me to send the article to The Association of Former Students and to Texas A&M. I then Googled around until I found the correct email addresses. I wrote a short but sweet email outlining my purpose and the article. To be completely honest, I did not expect a reply. However, a mere two hours later, I was pleasantly surprised. I received a friendly email from the Marketing & Communications Division of Texas A&M; Its author greatly enjoyed the article and directed me to reach out to the Communication department of the College of Liberal Arts. She also asked me to ensure the rights of reproduction from the Odyssey. This email was all of the encouragement I needed. I threw caution to the wind and started pulling the thread I had been given. I contacted my Editor-in-Chief at the Odyssey, and she quickly redirected me to the big dogs in New York who confirmed the right to reproduce the article. I was in business! So by now, it was Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM, and I was in class emailing my contact at the Marketing & Communications Division (I know, how scandalous!). I'm such a rebel; I was doing something other than studying in class. Anyways, my email received an almost immediate reply. Ever helpful, she said to contact the College of Liberal Arts, and she'd happily re-post whatever they did. I followed suit, and around 11:00, I was asked to be interviewed by a student worker in the dean's office. I nearly squealed as I walked through Rudder Tower. I was amazed by the genuine interest and regard I was receiving. I couldn't believe what was happening, and I still can't believe it now.
So what does all of this mean? Well, after my interview on Thursday, a profile of me will eventually be posted on the College of Liberal Arts' website. The Aggie Heart Ring article will also be re-posted there, which consequently confirms the offer from the Marketing & Communications Division. There is one other opportunity that I am overjoyed and grateful to pursue, but I am waiting for a meeting to further discuss and solidify those plans.
It goes without saying that I am ecstatic by this snowball of opportunities! I only dared to hope for such a wonderful outcome. I want this to happen so badly for Nicholas and numerous other Aggies-At-Heart. I keep reminding myself to take everything one step at a time and to be thankful for each of those steps. I am very grateful to the ladies at Texas A&M who have helped me so far. They have been indispensable. And it is not false humility when I say—none of this was planned by me but by a far greater Author. I am still in awe of these opportunities, but I am so thankful for the community that is developing behind the Aggie Heart Ring.
I'll conclude this update with a simple request. Please, share your story with me. If you have a testimony that could help further establish this cause, I would be so grateful to hear it. The ball is rolling. The voices of the Aggies-At-Heart are finally being heard. This journey is not a solitary one. It takes a community to change the world, but in truth, I am only asking you to help me change their world. Thanks & gig 'em.
