Maroon Life Magazine — Culture & Lifestyle 2025

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

Student-formed bands rock local music scene

SWINGIN’

spacious as Harry’s, they have attracted a crowd of past Harry’s-goers.

Sport management junior Alexis Weimer also attended Knight Club post-Harry’s-closure with her coworkers. When comparing Knight Club to Harry’s, Weimer said it is a lot smaller of a venue with only one dance floor instead of two.

“The cover is about the same. There’s no live music or a DJ at Knight Club; they just play from a playlist,” Weimer said.

Weimer enjoyed her time at Knight Club and said she is looking forward to returning. She liked the dancing aspect of Harry’s and believes former Harry’s attendees would enjoy Knight Club, too.

Being from the Dallas area, Weimer grew up around plenty of honky-tonk bars that she couldn’t wait to try once she turned 18.

“My friends who were older would always talk about it. It’s a super popular thing there,” Weimer said.

When she got to A&M, she knew all about Harry’s and made it a point to continue her country dancing hobby through college, and now is no exception — just different than before.

Another option for country dancing in the BryanCollege Station area is the Aggie Country Dance Club that is growing by the week.

Olivia Buchanan, co-president of the club and sociology senior, has helped build a space for students and the broader community to learn how to country dance.

“Dancing is kind of dying in Bryan-College Station with Harry’s closing,” Buchanan said. “The main goal [of the club] is to be inclusive for all of the community in

B/CS. We want to make it affordable and a good stressrelieving outlet.”

The club offers dance lessons for anyone who wants to learn, hosted Mondays at 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign War Post in Bryan. They also have social dancing for an hour after.

Along with dance lessons, many of the club leaders send out scheduled times to go dancing together for anyone interested, either at the Knight Club or, more recently, The Cut Axe Throwing, which debuted Friday night country dancing on September 5.

Buchanan said she has high hopes for the future of the club. Once officially affiliated with A&M, they have plans to hold tailgates and bring groups of interested individuals to country dancing competitions.

The club derived its original inspiration solely from Harry’s.

“If Harry’s didn’t close, I don’t know if it would be a thing. It really motivated us to find someplace to dance without driving to Austin, San Antonio or Houston,” Buchanan said. “That also brought in lots of people, too. Not everyone wants to go to Northgate every weekend.”

Though Harry’s is gone, country dancing has not escaped College Station. A&M students and the BryanCollege Station community have multiple options for country dancing; they just have to search a little harder now to strike gold.

Swap Northgate covers for couch covers

By Valeria Salazar, Staff Writer

There’s something simple yet wholesome about having a night reserved for staying in. It feels like a warm blanket of comfort wrapping around you, tucking you in and away from the college nightlife that at times seems so hard to avoid. Your troubles are kept at bay for an evening, and you experience a sense of peace. It’s human to want to stay in now and then, and I have four ideas to kick off your next cozy night on the couch.

Popcorn Sundae

CAN’T DECIDE BETWEEN SWEET OR SALTY?

Perfect, because I couldn’t either when I invented the iconic Popcorn Sundae. And trust me when I say it’s the ultimate treat for an indulgent night in. Starting with the base, you need to fill your bowl halfway with your popcorn of choice — now it’s important to decide whether you’re craving butter or kettlecorn. Next, throw some milk chocolate chips into the microwave. Once the chocolate has melted, pour it over your first layer of popcorn. While the chocolate is still warm, you’ll mix toppings into the bowl, which are a surprise — the best part! You can use any of your favorite snacks, but I always use mini marshmallows, mini M&Ms and crushed up pretzels, which are — you guessed it — mini as well. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the size compatibility with the popcorn. Finally, add another layer of popcorn, and repeat the process once more. Your perfect treat is now ready for any movie you put on.

The Couch

THE VIBE: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE VIBE.

The Hot Cocoa

THE SUPERIOR DRINK.

The Film

“WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE?”

ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD

104 Southwest Parkway College Station, TX 77840

Late-hour snack spots

By Lucy Belcik, Staff Writer

Insomnia Cookies

For those with a late-night sweet tooth, this reliable Northgate location offers up warm cookies, ice cream sandwiches and more. Ordering ahead is easy through Insomnia’s mobile app. It makes it easy to pick up your cookies and go, which is good, since there’s limited seating inside the restaurant. A late-night sweet treat quest

is easily walkable from the Northside of campus or the Northgate area.

Communication sophomore Sloane Curtain said she appreciates Insomnia for the simplicity of its menu.

“I love that it just has cookies, and there’s not, like, 15 other things that you can get,” Curtain said.

Midnight Cravingz

Craving cookies and ice cream but want to skip the bustle of Northgate? Try the newly-opened Midnight Cravingz, located

a quick drive from main campus. There’s plenty of parking and indoor seating. The menu includes a variety of warm cookies and cobblers, each served with double swirls of vanilla soft serve and plenty of toppings. Portions are generous, so plan to split with a friend if you forgot to save enough room for dessert.

Midnight Cravingz is co-owned by brothers Yaser and Yousif El-samman, and Abdulrahman Mostafa. After opening their first locations in the Houston area and Austin, they decided that Aggieland, with

Photos by Anastasia Acosta, Staff Photographer

BURGER MOJO

209 University Dr East College Station, TX 77840

its high population of college students, was the natural next move, according to co-owner Yaser El-samman.

“We used to like to hang out with friends late in the evening and just make cookies and ice cream at home,” Yaser said. “We felt the need of a late-night spot to hang out and get a sweet treat with friends.”

Yaser said he would encourage students to try out Midnight Cravingz if they’re looking for a “comfortable hangout space.”

“We have games and stuff so people can sit here for a time and talk … not that loud of music or stuff that distracts people from just being social with their friends,” Yaser said.

Andy’s Frozen Custard

For those who are strictly ice-creamfocused and don’t mind an earlier expedition for sweets, Andy’s is the place to go. This haven of frozen custard (which is

healthier for you, right?) offers a drive-thru window and plenty of topping options for your sundae or blended concrete. It’s also a popular spot for Texas A&M orgs to host profit-sharing events — give it a try the next time you hear of one!

There is limited seating outside and no inside seating, so plan accordingly. But for those who don’t mind the outdoors, there’s cornhole and plenty of good vibes.

Isabella Manke, a marketing sophomore, said she appreciates the welcoming environment that Andy’s offers.

“I love that they have a family vibe,” Manke said. “It’s a great place to destress and you can count on quality every time.”

Try the Andy’s rewards app and keep an eye on their local Instagram, @andys. collegestation, for deals and special promotions.

505 University Dr College Station, TX 77840

Burger Mojo

If a simple sundae doesn’t cut it for your midnight snack attack, try this BryanCollege Station-specific burger chain. Burger Mojo has several locations near campus, both open late into the night. For early birds, an additional location in South College Station closes at 10 p.m. Order from a vast array of smash burgers, each with unique toppings and add-ons. Finish off your meal with something sweet from their signature shake menu. Keep an eye out for daily specials and featured shakes, and follow their Instagram, @burgermojo, for deal announcements and more. (Or if you just like looking at pictures of burgers).

1509 Texas Ave

College Station, TX 77840

Student-formed bands rock local music scene

By Ayla Francis, Managing Editor

I HEARD ABOUT A SHOW HAPPENING — saw a flyer on Instagram, heard some chatter through word of mouth. I’d never experienced an event like this, and my interest was so piqued, I gathered some friends that Friday night to check it out for myself.

It was called the Battle of the Bands, hosted twice a year by Aggie Originals. Four local bands were performing this time, competing to win the audience’s vote for best concert — an audience of mostly college students. The fascinating part of it all? These were almost completely student-led bands. Where were college kids finding the time to become such talented rock stars? I couldn’t wait to see.

We crossed the street that balmy August night toward Carney’s Pub and Grill, flocking to the music and string lights like moths. The passionate performers poured out soulful melodies to the rapt crowd, and I developed a deep respect for these artists, moving me to tell their story.

Let’s meet the four featured bands of the night.

CLEMENTINE

Who better to start with than the winners of the competition themselves?

Clementine is a student-led band that has been passing the torch to other players for years now in what the band members call a “ship of Theseus” situation. Players graduate, players move on, but this now-victorious group hopes to cement their lineup for good.

The two original players remaining are biochemistry and genetics junior Ellie Lemon and full-time HVAC employee Aden Hinshaw. They shared their startup story of connecting over Hinshaw’s Snapchat ad for local band members and beginning to play out of their friend’s garage.

Members filtered in and out as the band performed for a Halloween party, the “SLO-lympics” and even a gig at the Grand Stafford Theater. The name Clementine was coined by an older member somewhere along the way, and since then, it’s stuck.

The current members began to piece together in fall 2024. Industrial engineering senior Jaron Letlow shifted from the band Blue House into Clementine, pledging to take over bass guitar if Ellie agreed to sing instead. Things started shaping up even more when the band recruited their dynamic guitarist, industrial distribution senior Charlie Robertson, from the band Whim at last fall’s Battle of the Bands. Alex Morrell, a senior majoring in

manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology, jumped in to play guitar as well, and with Hinshaw as the drummer, Clementine was complete.

With a new dynamic and collective musical style, this band is coming back to take the college band scene by storm.

“I have two goals in mind, and that is to play and make memories for people,” Robertson said. “So, if I can do that through playing “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield for people or get with this group and create some cool songs … I mean, everyone’s got a thing to contribute.”

The band has certainly made their unique mark as artists and charmed the crowds.

“My favorite memory from playing with Clementine was when Charlie brought a bunch of clementines, the mini oranges, on stage with us … then he started chucking them in the air and, oh my God, people ate it up so much,” Letlow said. “That’s the beautiful part about it: Like, it’s a show; it’s not just music … seeing the creativity of my bandmates bring the whole show to life is awesome.”

Lemon said aligning schedules for practice has proven to be difficult and requires personal sacrifice, but Clementine has undoubtedly put in the work. She recommended to all aspiring musicians to work for their dream relentlessly and refuse to let it drown amid distractions.

“Expressing yourself musically is such a good tool of finding who you are, and that is something that I know personally eats me alive all the time,” Letlow said. “I don’t always know who I am, but music kind of helps me answer that question.”

Porterfield Casey had no idea what lay ahead when he met kinesiology senior Jakob Smith and electrical engineering senior Michael Timinsky in Texas A&M SLAM, or sophomores leading and motivating. Bonding over a shared love of “jamming out,” the original three members started up playing in Smith’s room. A few others would sometimes show to casually play, but it all began with those three in a room covered corner to corner with posters — of course, where the name of the band was formed.

Poster’s grungy, artistic style continued to develop from there, especially when practice moved to a deckedout storage unit. Then, after Timinsky picked up materials science and engineering sophomore Zach Buck and computer engineering senior Jacob Zatopek, their first official gig was set for a relaxed backyard party at Zatopek’s house.

The band embraced the classic alternative scene and played some crowd-favorite covers featuring The Strokes, Deftones and Radiohead. It was a total success, and opportunities for gigs quickly followed. But just as the ball began rolling that fall of 2024, Timinsky and Porterfield Casey left to study abroad in the spring.

With gaps to fill, the perfect lineup fell into place. Timinsky reached out to fellow music lover and aerospace

engineer senior Kai Joy, who brought along a KANM coworker, applied mathematics senior Larsen Simecek. With Timinsky, Buck, Smith and Zatopek on the guitars, Joy and Porterfield Casey on the drums and Simecek behind the mic, the band Poster was officially set to start upon their return.

Porterfield Casey said he essentially dropped everything to practice after traveling. Their wholehearted commitment did not go unnoticed at their fall debut.

“There was one song we did called ‘Mayonnaise’ by Smashing Pumpkins … it was one of our trouble songs, so we were really nervous for that, but it actually ended up going really well,” Simecek said. “We had, like, 300 people with their phone flashlights out … It was so wild standing up there and seeing all that back at you.”

Despite balancing part-time jobs, student organizations and demanding classwork,, Poster is looking ahead to the future with original songs in the works.

“It’s definitely a vulnerability when you’re trying to figure out something for the first time,” Joy said. “When you’re writing music … you kind of have to get through some subpar stuff and just trust each other that it’s going somewhere good.”

Poster gave a shoutout to the band community at A&M, specifically to their close friends in Clementine and to their partners in an upcoming gig: a band called Knox.

Responding to an ad for an emo punk band at a stranger’s apartment may be an unconventional way to meet, but

Bioenvironmental sciences senior Kate Wilson and meteorology senior Evan Lopez ventured into the instrumentfilled living room of an aggressive, commanding girl who couldn’t actually play a single chord. When Wilson heard the threat to stop playing the drums or she’d get her sticks taken whilst behind the girl’s Nazi-sticker-decorated

Bonded by terror, Wilson and Lopez exchanged numbers and decided to start jamming on their own. Wilson brought the bassist from her former band, Animal Teeth. Lopez brought a mutual friend with experience playing in bands: Abby Geiger, a mechanical nuclear engineering graduate student. She took over guitar, Wilson played the

After learning to rehearse together, the band performed spectacularly at First Friday in Downtown Bryan. Their immediate success was curbed by the graduation of their bassist, but after tryouts, computer engineering junior Seth Mayhue earned an interview at the very formal location of Chili’s and was hired. The band kicked off a superb debut

Wilson said that was when they started writing original music, beginning with her skeletal melody for ‘Muscadine’ that the band fleshed out together. Pocket Change shared the stories behind several other artful originals like “Catch

“So I was in the car going back to Houston from College Station and just feeling so out of place and so lonely. I wrote this song in the car on the way home,” Wilson said. “So what kind of happens is we’ll bring an idea to the

The band members talked about their goal to produce music on streaming platforms, although they enjoy the dynamic creativity that live music brings to their songs. They mentioned Battle of the Bands as one of their favorite

“Somebody from somewhere around the crowd just started chanting, ‘Pocket Change! Pocket Change!’ And it just erupted; everybody in the front row — back four, five, six rows — were chanting our band name over and over again,

Later that night, the audience echoed lines from one of the band’s original songs back to them, overwhelming them with encouragement. A group at the 101 even asked them to sign the band posters they’d bought after the show. Pocket Change gives back to their fans with grateful dedication, down to each handmade friendship bracelet they sell with their merchandise.

“It was the night before a gig,” Wilson said. “We rehearsed until midnight … and we made beads at my house till like three in the morning, and we cut out stickers, and we were delirious … it was really

The band members also must balance the demands of student life and extracurriculars. They come from all different backgrounds, such as Geiger’s role on the A&M triathlon team and Lopez’s on A&M Weather Broadcasting, but they unite in prioritizing time for their band.

“It’s like the emotions and the instincts and training that all of us have kind of merge together, and it’s just so nice to have something as a group that’s kind of all of ours, all of our own,” Lopez said. “It’s just unique to us, and it’s really nice to see people enjoy it. I think

ORGANIZATION TAKES CENTER STAGE

“[Dance Arts Society] is very yellow,” business freshman Cadence Kubacak said.

“Yellow is bright, happy and joyful,” president of DAS Kaitlin Ramsay said.

Although the official color of DAS is blue, both Ramsay and Kubacak agree that yellow captures the spirit of the organization — one of the reasons why dancers return semester after semester.

What began in 2001 with 10 dancers in a small studio space evolved into the largest dance organization at Texas A&M with over 200 active members and a schedule full of shows and masterclasses. DAS fills its studios across campus — from the Student Rec Center to the Physical Education Activity Program (or PEAP) building — and even rents Expressions Dance Studio when needed to give its dancers the space to flourish. With flexible scheduling, open and welcoming spaces and, most importantly, a supportive and a rivalry-free environment DAS envelops all its dancers under its umbrella.

“The vibe of DAS was so non-competitive and uplifting; it was very different than what I'm used to, being a competitive dancer,” nutrition junior Emma Bertelson said.

Many dancers that joined DAS came

from a competitive background. From dancing 18 hours a week in high school to only a few hours in college, the shift was dramatic but necessary for those who are ready to step off the competition treadmill and slow things down. For instruction and curriculum graduate student Rose Rogers, DAS marked her return to dance.

“I danced [for my] high school drill team,” Rogers said. “I thought, ‘I'm not going to dance again,’ and then I saw the show in the fall of my freshman year.”

From there, it was an uphill journey for Rogers. Now, as a fifth year member, she has seen the organization thrive and adapt to its growing numbers.

“The limit of how many dances you can do has grown — people weren't in every single dance [but] now you can do more than you used to be able to,” she said. “They've [also] made the dance length a lot shorter with the intention to have more dances in the show.”

These changes were not made to limit dancers: in fact, these changes were the result of the organization doubling in size.

“Usually [the] average number for auditions would be around 40 [people] because you're only going to take around 20 in every dance,” Rogers said. “Last spring,

I held an audition for my dance and I had 97 people come, which was a big number. I knew I couldn't have 97 people on stage, but it was really cool to see that many people were interested.”

Each semester brings in new faces, and with them come new activities. Aside from the dances, the organization cultivates friendships as well. It fulfills the primary purpose as to why people join a campus organization — to foster friendships extending well beyond a single semester.

“DAS dates — you get paired with a few random people and you go do something with people you might not meet otherwise if they’re not in your rehearsal,” hospitality, hotel management and tourism sophomore Audrey Terrill said. “I got to meet two really sweet girls, and we talked about life, and one of them is obsessed with the same book series as I am.”

The late-night rehearsals, the Gumby’s pizza rolls before a show and the shared nervousness when the curtains rise are the connecting threads that weave together DAS. From first-year members testing the waters in masterclasses to fifth-year veterans like Rogers helping guide auditions, every member brings in a creative yet collaborative element.

“[DAS] kind of works itself out to be able to keep growing because the more people that join, the more choreographers we get, which opens more doors for more dances,” Ramsay said.

By Angeline Nappoly, Staff Writer

FROM LABS TO LYRICS

Choir Culture at a STEM School

By Adhithi Shankar, Staff Writer

Every Tuesday and Thursday, engineering sophomore Hiya Chakraborty makes the 30-minute trek from her apartment to the Music Activities Center. Rain or shine, she’s sure to never miss rehearsal for the Reveliers, Texas A&M’s only all-female choir.

Chakraborty entered A&M through the College of Engineering, hyperfocused on her classes and feeling unsure about any extracurricular involvement outside of STEM. After one semester of immersion in academics, she took the leap to audition for choir, hoping to recapture the magic of her music experience in high school.

“Choir has been a really big part of my life since fifth grade,” Chakraborty said. “I didn’t think it was possible to continue any sort of art or sport in college because of the time commitment, but the Reveliers really ended up working out for me.”

The Reveliers is just one of three ensembles on the choir scene at A&M.

Along with the Singing Cadets and Century Singers, we form the secondlargest university choral program in the nation – and our numbers are still growing, according to David Kipp, director of choral activities.

Kipp leads the men’s choir, the Singing Cadets. As the longtime leader of the choral program at A&M, Kipp’s love for music has only grown stronger throughout his life.

“I sang my first solo at six with my dad, standing on a box at church,” Kipp said. “I never dreamed of coming to Texas A&M, but I realize now, after 30 years, it was absolutely the place that I was supposed to spend my life’s work.”

The Singing Cadets often sing at concerts, major university functions and fundraising events. Though incredibly talented and nationally recognized, the majority of them amazingly aren’t music majors at all.

“The growing popularity of the program is because it meets the needs of many students from many disciplines across campus,” Kipp said. “I think the arts are important for every student, whether they’re performing or enjoying the performance. Music puts you in touch with your emotions on a very deep level.”

As a computer science student, Chakraborty feels that every hour-long rehearsal serves as an interlude from the math and programming-focused courses that take up most of her day, allowing her musical side to shine.

“I’m friends with psychology majors and communication majors in Reveliers, and it’s nice to see other people’s perspectives on life and talk about things other than how my linear algebra class is going,” Chakraborty said.

Jeremy Lande, president of Century Singers, echoed a similar sentiment while pursuing his master’s in public health.

When he arrived at A&M in 2020, he was a biomedical sciences major that was convinced any extracurriculars would impede his success in school.

“After one and half years of my best friend urging me to join and hearing the Century Singers perform for the first time, I was finally convinced,” Lande said.

Though it can be challenging to manage his two jobs, two leadership positions and graduate degree coursework, Lande wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Music represents a chance to disconnect from academia and fully immerse myself in something completely pleasurable,” Lande said. “In Century Singers, there are members from all walks of life, yet we’re all bonded by our love for music.”

The culture of choir is a unique one and very different from day-to-day academics. The Reveliers bring the festivities by caroling during holiday season, and in February, they can even deliver a “singing valentine” to your date. “Thursday Night Fun Things” — social events like escape rooms or scavenger hunts — is a Century

Singers staple tradition, as well as doing outreach performances off-campus and traveling abroad for performance tours.

The Singing Cadets even formed a multiyear partnership with the Bush family, serving as special guests for their friends and at events.

Another unexpected tradition is the long-standing pattern of romance between Reveliers and Singing Cadets. As the all-female and all-male choirs, the two groups pair up for formal events, and sometimes, sparks fly. Chakraborty says it’s heartwarming to see new engagement rings pop up on the fingers of her fellow vocalists as the semester goes by.

“We cheer for each other through exams, life changes and personal challenges, and we celebrate one another’s successes,” Lande says. “It’s a group that reminds me daily what it means to be part of the Aggie family.”

More Than a Band

Celebrating culture through music

By Sydnei Miles, Editor-in-Chief

Since 2002, the Aggieland Mariachi, also known as Mariachi Anillos de Oro, has brought vibrant and dynamic music to Texas A&M and the Bryan-College Station community, sharing their culture with all who lend an ear. This semester marks Aggieland Mariachi’s debut as an official branch of the university orchestras and as a class course.

You can find them dressed in traditional charro trajes, or suits, once worn by Mexican vaqueros, or cowboys. The distinct suits symbolize pride and cultural identity. For the Aggieland Mariachi, their maroon trajes have the A&M logo on the front and side and are perfectly completed with their A&M-engraved moños, or ties — representing Aggie pride and Hispanic heritage all together.

Ben Juarez, president of the Ag-

gieland Mariachi, and Joaquin Razo, vice president, work together to run auditions, rehearsals and curate which songs they’ll perform for different events and gigs.

“We do a lot of hands-on [things], and I’m doing a lot more of the hands-on directing, helping, and then Ben does a lot of the behindthe-scenes things,” Razo said. “We work together a lot of the time to push the program forward and go to our goal of helping everyone: helping the community grow and helping the org grow.”

The Aggieland Mariachi is composed of three different instrumental sections: the armonia, trumpet and violin, Aggieland Mariachi treasurer Ivan Duran said.

“The armonia section … that basically describes the rhythm section,” Duran said. “They keep in charge

of keeping the organization in time and helping with the flow of the music. Our trumpet section … it’s the brass instruments. Our violin section can have a little bit of variety; we have a flute player in there.”

Becoming an official class this semester has helped in terms of recruiting, Duran said.

“I remember when I first joined, we had three consistent violin players show up to practice and about five trumpet players,” Duran said. “Now we have up to triple that number. We have about 10 violins; we have about 10 trumpets. The guitar section, too — they went from around four to five guitar players to up to eight to nine guitar players right now.”

Duran said they usually have around four performances a month, on and off campus, with most of them being paid gigs. Through all of their many appearances, the biggest and most notable one is “Viva a Aggieland” in the spring semester, which draws a big crowd, Duran said.

“It’s our final big concert. That

event, we reach out to other mariachis in the local area. It could be from high schools, a local gigging group,” Duran said. “It’s just a celebration of our culture and mariachi music. The past two years, we’ve set up in Aggie Park, and basically we just have a super long performance from 5 p.m. to around 10 p.m., where every group has their own show, their own songs and do a little performance … In the end of the big performance, all of us get together and we perform one song called ‘Son de la Negra.’ It’s just a super loud mariachi ensemble that just plays the heck out of the song; it’s pretty cool.”

Though the big performances are important, it’s sometimes the impromptu ones that resonate the most. Juarez said his favorite memory is from last year’s game against t.u., when they began playing the famous Aggie War Hymn.

“We went from Aggie Park, and then we walked to the Reed Arena area,” Juarez said. “On the way back, there was a huge crowd of people coming on the underpass …

and we just started playing the War Hymn. Everyone started singing along with it, and it was just a lot of fun because we’re just walking and playing. Nobody asked us to play, we were just in that Aggie spirit. It just reminded me about how much A&M unifies everybody: there’s that strong sense of spirit and pride. Us playing that Aggie War Hymn, us playing our music, brought everybody together in that moment.”

Having that sense of unity is why Razo decided to join the Aggieland Mariachi, as it keeps him connected to his roots. As a kid from the Valley, he said mariachi has always been a big part of his life, and he learned to play the trumpet at a young age. His expertise and experience has allowed him to have a grand impact on the Aggieland Mariachi, which has helped improvement over the past year.

“In the valley, mariachi is a very big part of our culture. It’s a way to give back to the community, but also just embrace who we are as a culture,” Razo said. “I’ve grown up with mariachi … so coming to college,

one of the first things I reached out to was the Aggieland Mariachi … As soon as I became a freshman, I jumped in. I jumped in, tried to give as much that I knew — gain all the knowledge that I knew — to give back to the org.”

Sharing their culture and story through mariachi music, especially as a minority on a big campus, is what brings each of them passion. Though many may not know what mariachi music is, the impact on audiences is still profound, Juarez said.

“We’re either introducing mariachi music to someone for the first time, or we’re bringing a part of what they maybe associate with home to here on campus,” Juarez said. “There’s an attraction toward music, because music, no matter what language you speak — it brings people together. Whether or not we’re speaking English or Spanish, everyone’s going to understand how the music makes you feel.”

How local business owner Jackie Doss chased her dream through A&M and beyond

By Ayla Francis, Managing Editor

Jackie Doss is a fashionista, entrepreneur and Aggie legend who built her boutique from the ground up.

Doss graduated from Texas A&M in 2021 with a degree in economics and a minor in entrepreneurship and sales. In 2022, she left campus triumphant with a master’s in financial management through Mays Business School. With her boutique, JD Ranch, now open in Post Oak Mall, Doss has proven she’s a hard worker and visionary.

Doss said she always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur but wasn’t sure which area to build a business on.

“When I got to A&M, I met with the entrepreneurship professor through the College of Ag — his name’s Dr. Rister — and he has a program that you basically build a business plan, like a fake one, but you could use it in real life,” Doss said. “I thought that I do like clothes a lot, and I do like helping people, so I thought that would be a good way to use different skillsets that I had, so I ended up using that for my project. ”

After the original idea was born from the imaginary business during her senior year of college, Doss worked to make it a reality. What started as pop-ups out of her house and simple sales to her friends quickly began to gain momentum. Doss resolved to make the boutique a priority even throughout receiving her master’s and working postgrad at a bank.

“By the time I was working full-time, I had two or three storage units that I was renting out for just extra space,” Doss said. “And then I actually started hosting markets, my own markets, in downtown Bryan that year. And then last year, April of ‘24, I decided to quit my banking job to do the boutique full time.”

This new level of entrepreneurship proved to be challenging but rewarding. Doss’s boutique kicked off as online-only until the George Strait concert at Kyle Field rolled around in summer 2024. Leasing agents from Post Oak Mall were scouting out the pop-ups, and they took a special interest in JD Ranch.

“They were talking to me about maybe leasing out a spot, which I had thought about,” Doss said. “I’d actually walked to the mall with my friends a couple months prior and thought that that might be a good idea. But then when they showed me the space, I just really liked it, and a couple months later, I signed a lease, and I opened the store August of ‘24.”

Doss handpicks items from wholesale manufacturers, gathering everything from gameday accessories like boot bows to trendy young adult outfits.

“How I differentiate myself is I do a lot of collections. Right now, we just launched our safari collection, which is essentially just our fall collection, but it kind of just gives it a more curated twist,” Doss said. “And then we also started our own merch line that we have some more coming in, and that’s just called ‘Ranch.’”

Doss said she loves to be creative with collections and unique pieces but does face criticism and setbacks.

“It’s definitely about the mindset and

not letting the bad days get to you and not letting what other people have to say get to you because only you know what’s best for you and your business,” Doss said. “Other people see things from a different side, and they may not understand why or how something is the way it is.”

Doss has used her admirable experience in dedicated entrepreneurship to give back to the school that started it all.

“When I was at A&M, I was super involved in a lot of different organizations, and so now I’ve gotten to sponsor a lot of them with not only monetary donations but being T-shirt sponsors, donating to a lot of their fundraisers for silent auction items, doing pop-ups at some of the sorority events and some on-campus stuff,” Doss said. “I’ve also gotten to go back and speak to different classes about JD Ranch, so I’m definitely very involved with the

entrepreneurship program.”

Doss mentors students every year through the same program that brought her dream to life: Agribusiness Entrepreneurship. She can share her experience over coffee with students or through meeting them in class. Doss’s passions shine through by helping young entrepreneurs and giving them practical advice.

“I would say to take advantage of the opportunities that you have currently to prepare yourself to own a business — for example, taking classes that give you the skills to run a business and networking as much as you can because you will definitely need connections and people to share word of mouth,” Doss said. “Start small, because I think that it can get overwhelming quickly being a young entrepreneur.”

Doss reflected on her experience starting up a business so young and credited much of her success to the real-world experience she gained from joining the workforce out of college. Although business owners dream of overnight success, Doss often encourages students to focus on short-term goals too, such as postgraduate jobs. Being willing to pivot future plans with patience is a key aspect of entrepreneurship, Doss said.

“Everyone’s journey is different, and there’s no clear-cut pathway, so you really have to have your goal in mind at all times,” Doss said. “Because times will be tough, and the hard days are hard, but the good days are good. You just have to keep pushing and reach for something that gives you purpose.”

Your guide on how to dress to impress

By Adhithi Shankar, Staff Writer

Fall semester is the season of career fairs, org interviews and more. No matter what the occasion is, understanding the difference between business casual and business professional clothing can help make a great first impression and boost your confidence.

Business Casual

Business casual is the middle ground between everyday wear and formal office attire. It’s neat and professional but less formal than a suit and tie, and it’s meant to be approachable, modern and flexible. Usually, networking events, conferences and office social events would require business casual attire.

This means that jeans, shorts and everyday wear should be avoided. Instead, opt for khaki pants or nice trousers as well as a collared shirt. For women, blouses, sweaters, mid-length skirts and neutral dresses are all acceptable. Blazers are optional for anyone, but it never hurts to have one on hand.

The perks of business casual are comfort and self-expression. You can ditch the tie and play with colors, textures and personal style, while still coming across as well-dressed. The only drawback about this dress code is that it can be vague, and what counts as casual at one event might feel out of place at another. In general, err on the side of professional; if you’re unsure what kind of attire to wear to an event, it’s safer to go with the more dressed up option.

Business Professional

Business professional, on the other hand, is the most formal level of business attire. It’s what you’d expect in law firms, important interviews and corporate offices. For men, a suit and tie are non-negotiable, as well as a belt and nice shoes. For women, a blazer or suit jacket paired with dress pants or a knee-length skirt would do the trick, tied together with a nice pair of heels. Overall, neutral colors — black, navy, grey — dominate the palette.

For students who may not have access to a full suit for an upcoming interview or career fair, the Texas A&M University Career Closet at the Memorial Student Center is a fantastic resource. Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, the Career Closet lends out a variety of styles and sizes of suits for up to two weeks with a bonus gift of dry cleaning coupons for the outfit’s return.

At the end of the day, business professional is about tradition, authority and formality, while business casual is much more flexible. Both have their place, and the magic lies in knowing when to utilize which.

So tomorrow morning, when you’re staring at your closet, completely stumped, remember: dressing for the occasion isn’t just about clothing. It’s about sending a message. And whether that message is “I’m a good fit for this internship” or “I’m approachable enough for this networking event,” the best accessory is always confidence.

Top thrifiting locations in the area

By Lucy Belcik, Staff Writer

SWEET REPEAT RESALE

404 north main street

Thifters who don’t mind a bit of a drive to hit the racks are sure to include Bryan’s Sweet Repeat Resale on their list. The small store is packed to the rafters with eclectic memorabilia, posters and, of course, racks and racks of clothes. Tables around the store hold stacks of folded denim, and more clothing hangs on the walls. Vintage t-shirts and jackets are mixed in with everything else, which makes sifting through the racks an exciting treasure hunt. Owner Michael Cordova was busy handling the store’s closing rush and couldn’t stop for an interview but bustled around helping customers and giving out style recommendations. While most pieces aren’t tagged, Sweet Repeat offers a bundle deal on certain items, with reasonable prices comparable to Plato’s or Uptown Cheapskate. Any price is certainly worth the unique finds and excellent vibes of this thrifting gem! Follow Sweet Repeat Resale on Instagram @sweetrepeatresalebtx for themed drops, sales and more.

TYPE: Vintage thrift CASH FOR CLOTHES? Yes

THRIFTED THREADS

815 texas avenue

This vintage-centric thrift spot offers a well-curated selection in a photogenic location. Founder and CEO Laith Awad started the business in high school and grew it from an e-commerce website to several brick-and-mortar stores. The brand’s motto is “Not your ordinary thrift store.”

“We never want to just open a store to sell things and clothes,” Awad said. “We want it to be something people remember.”

Awad said that opening a location in College Station was a “no-brainer” due to the small amount of thrift or vintage spots in town.

Thrifters will find racks full of color-coded shirts and jeans and plenty of affordable options for those striving for that vintage look. Awad said that the company tries to price clothes lower in College Station than other big-city locations to tailor to student’s budgets.

“It’s definitely a great option for your budget as a college student, but also just saving the environment,” Awad said. “Shopping secondhand is your best bet, especially with the quality of new clothing nowadays.”

TYPE: Vintage thrift CASH FOR CLOTHES? Yes

PLATO’S CLOSET 1104 harvey road

This thrift spot is reliable, affordable and offers a selection from popular brands and trendy items. For those looking to dress themselves for an upcoming date party or event without breaking the bank, this location offers plenty of options for semi-formal wear. Gameday options are also plentiful — but watch out for times of high traffic, directly before gameday or during formal season — this location is popular and can get quite crowded!

TYPE: Curated thrift CASH FOR CLOTHES? Yes

UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE

2410 texas avenue south

Uptown Cheapskate is perfect for those looking for a similar alternative to the much-beloved (and sometimes pickedover) Plato’s Closet. Curated racks offer athletic brands like Lululemon and Athleta already separated out. Those looking for the finishing touches to their outfit will find plenty of accessories and shoe options. Prices are a little higher than a standard Goodwill or Salvation Army but certainly still affordable. Keep an eye on this location’s active Instagram, @uptowncollegestation, for deals, drops, themed sales and more.

TYPE: Curated thrift CASH FOR CLOTHES? Yes

VINTAGE CIRCLE

3828 texas avenue south

For those less concerned with clothes but with a penchant for unique decor and knicknacks, The Vintage Circle is a sure bet. This vintage mall features several different vendor booths, each with an array of art, home goods and memorabilia on display. There are still several racks of clothes to choose from scattered throughout the store. Items are typically tagged a little higher than standard thrift prices, but for those searching for the perfect vintage Aggie jersey or a unique gameday fit, it’s the right place to look! Follow their instagram, @the_vintage_ circle, for sale announcements and booth restock updates.

TYPE: Vintage thrift CASH FOR CLOTHES? No