Golden Key was established in 1977 and there are currently 400 chapters in universities around the world.  There are roughly 2 million members in 190+ countries. A few notable members include: Desmond Tutu, Bill Clinton and Elie Wiesel.

After being contacted by my fellow Communication Sciences and Disorders classmate, Darlene Villarreal, I began assisting her in the process of trying to start a Golden Key (GK) chapter at TAMUK. During the summer we brainstormed and used our networking abilities to secure a chapter advisor. I recommended Dr. Christine Robbins, my previous archaeology Then I reached out to Assistant to the Dean of Honors College, Sue Nichols in hopes of getting Honors College on board of the idea of GK at TAMUK.

After much paperwork, conference calls, emails and a hundred other minor details we officially have a recognized chapter of Golden Key International Honour Society at Texas A&M University-Kingsville!  I am extremely proud and grateful to have been part of the founding officer team.

Golden Key Associate Director of Region 7: Sareena Helton and Chapter President: Darlene Villarreal

Keynote Speaker: Colonel Edward J. Preston Jr.

Fun Fact: Golden Key Region 7 is 2nd in the US that gives out the most scholarships.

Treasurer: Erik Nunez allows Col. Preston to draw the name of one lucky student who was awarded a scholarship for attending that inaugural induction ceremony.

I was fortunate enough to get a photo with honorary members: Notable Alumnus, Retired Col. Preston, Dean of Students, Kirsten Compary and Renowned Psychology Professor, Cyndi Walker

Thank you to all Honorary Golden Key members at TAMUK! Special thanks to our Chapter Advisor: Dr. Christine Robbins and Co-advisor: Sue Nichols for supporting us and helping us succeed in our goal of bringing GK to Kingsville!

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Here’s some video of the students getting ready to release the concrete canoe from its mold.  The students built this large wooden box last year.  It is a form.  Inside the form, they have created a concrete mold.

The wire mesh was placed into the mold and covered with concrete.  Then, it is allowed to cure.  Curing is the process in which concrete hardens.  As can be seen in this video, the students used a “wet” cure– that is, they filled the mold with water.  As concrete cures, water is removed the from the cementitious matrix, which tends to make the finished product more brittle.  So, concrete is oftern cured in wet or humid environments to prevent water loss.

In this video, they are working to drain the water from the canoe.  Eventually, they got out the buckets.  They are also working to release all of the restraints holding the form together.

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A group of dedicated civil engineering students spent a large part of their spring break preparing for the upcoming concrete canoe race.  Here’s some video of them building the outline of their canoe out of chicken wire.

Typically, concrete contains reinforcement either to increase strength in tension or for containment.  Here, the steel gives the canoe its shape.  Chicken wire is used because it is so lightweight.  The goal, after all, is to get the canoe to float.

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The Office of International Studies and Programs offers the International Exchange Educational Fund (IEEF) In-State Tuition Waiver and Study Abroad Scholarships each semester.  I am a past recipient of the IEEF Study Abroad Scholarship.

Although, I was not awarded the scholarship a second time around I did not let that hinder me from fulfilling a promise I made to myself after returning from Germany. I vowed to get a stamp in my passport every year from there on after.  In 2011 I traveled to Germany and France.  In 2012 I was down to the wire but, I managed to make my way to Canada.

It may have been the last day of the year but by golly I did it! Operation get a stamp in my passport every year is a success!!! Woohoo Canada 2012!

I may not have been traveling as a representative of Texas A&M University-Kingsville during this trip but, I was sure to pack my Javalina Pride!

Rockin' the J for Javalinas! Because I'm a Javalina For Life no matter what country I may be in.

I cannot express how much international travel changes your life.  I encourage all students to study abroad! When someone expresses interest in traveling I immediately ask them, “Have you applied for the study abroad scholarship?”

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The third week of the semester is by far the most rigorous!  Just as I’m settling into classes with new professors and adjusting to my new schedule, BAM!  It all hit me this week with back to back Javelina Students for Sustainability (JSS), Javelina For Life (JFL) Student Association meetings, and a Student Sustainability Forum, followed by my first SI session for phonetics this semester! (Mind you all of this occurred on Monday.)

All meetings were a total success! I’m very fortunate to have such AMAZING advisors and mentors that assist me in leading these organizations.  They truly do help foster and create a collaborative and most importantly FUN environment.

This reusable Javelina Students for Sustainability mug means I get Starbucks house coffee for 96 cents! Yay!

The mission of Javelina For Life is to educate our students,faculty, staff, alumni and friends on the importance of staying connected with the university and giving back their time, talent, treasures and thanks.

However, Monday madness was followed by Tuesday back to back classes from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and SI at 5 p.m., an SOFC Forum meeting Wednesday at noon, a test Thursday,  and both a quiz and test on Friday.

While I do enjoy and love all of my extracurricular activities it can become a bit stressful. To get some endorphins and de-stress I have been attending the Kickboxing and Women on Weights classes at the Rec Center on campus.  I highly encourage  students to take advantage of the group fitness classes! They’re FANTASTIC!

Spring 2013 Group Exercise Schedule

Also, our Student Health and Wellness Center on campus offers free 15 minute massages on various dates throughout the semester.  How AWESOME is that!  I scheduled mine today. May I just say they work wonders!  I walk out of the clinic feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle the next obstacle.  A massage offers tons of health benefits.  My personal favorite: INSTANT RELAXATION.

College life is obviously chaotic. (I would be lost without my planner! Compliments of the Office of Students Activities).  Being a full-time student, having a job and being involved on campus can become a bit tricky at times.  I feel safe in assuming that at some point or another students may feel overwhelmed and wonder, “How on Earth am I supposed to do all of this?”

When in doubt, I find myself referring to this video:

The Cuban Guy at Adelante National Conference in San Antonio, TX

P.S. Two of our own Javelinas and my fellow Honors College students are featured in this video!

I had the great pleasure of attending the ¡Adelante! National Leadership Institute this past October as a representative of Honors College.

The Cuban Guy was our speaker on the first night of the conference and a huge INSPIRATION to us all!

TAMUK Alumn, Executive Director of ¡Adelante! and future alumna. Woohoo Javelinas!

¡Adelante! National Leadership Institute

The future speech language pathologist (SLP) in me specifically loved the fact that here was someone who wanted to be a motivational speaker, but yet had no clue how to speak English.  Out of curiosity, I asked how he became fluent in English after the presentation.  Come to find out he worked with an SLP!  I think at that moment in time I was the proudest Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDO) major ever! SLPs really do make dreams come true! <3

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