The holiday season is here and the University of Texas A&M- Texarkana (TAMUT) is celebrating by hosting a 5K Turkey Trot, donating all proceeds to Eagle Pantry. The race is taking place on November 13th, starting at 8 am, outside on University and Bringle Lake Trail. It creates an opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to get active, donate, and receive prizes. 

Physical activity is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. Students and faculty of large universities become bombarded with deadlines, classes, and events that can inhibit this. TAMUT wellness understands and has created a fun opportunity for students and faculty to get moving. Ayla Baldwin, Benefits Coordinator for TAMUT, said, “ The purpose of the Turkey Trot is to get our employees and students up and moving. Sitting is being called the new smoking since it can lead to many different health issues. Our hope is to get the campus community together and healthier.” Faculty and students will be able to be side by side working together for a common goal of living healthier lives. Dr. Jing Chen, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, said, “ I think it is important to have a community and an activity that brings faculty/staff and students from classroom to court.” While the race is held at the University, the dedication of faculty and staff contributes from states away. Kristine Yells, Associate Professor of Social Work, will be running the race remotely with her husband David in South Carolina. On her strategy to finish the race, she said, “David and I start and maintain a consistent steady pace throughout the race. Then we kick it into high gear on the home stretch to see who crosses the finish line first. It’s usually him, but not always. I enjoy running with him because he keeps me steady and motivated. It helps to have a partner.” 

Several participants in the race will increase the proceeds and donations that will be given to Eagle Pantry. The Eagle Pantry feeds students by providing essential non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to students in need. The Turkey Trot is a great reminder of what this time of year means. While it is vital to donate all year round, the holiday season brings a focus on giving back to the community. Baldwin stated, “We are hoping this will help them either stock up before Thanksgiving or be able to do something special for Thanksgiving for students who utilize their services.” Participating in the race is a health benefit for oneself, but to give back is a benefit for someone else.  

While health and giving back are incentives on their own, those partaking in the race will be able to potentially receive gifts and prizes as well. There will be a gift card drawing among students who sign up as well as a separate gift card drawing for employees. Currently, TAMUT wellness is collecting donations from local restaurants and businesses, so there could be more than one winner from each group. An item that will be coveted amongst donations comes from a local sportswear store. Baldwin stated, “ We have a pair of women’s and men’s running shoes provided by Racquet and Jog for the two fastest runners. They will be able to take in and exchange for the correct size.” 

Currently, over 30 participants are signed up, but more are expected. Registration will be available up until the race. Participants will need to be there before 8 am to set up and get ready. Cash will not be taken upon showing up, but credit will. Registration is available on TouchNet Site. There are two links, one for TAMUT students and one for everyone else who would like to participate. 

https://secure.touchnet.com/C20339_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=260

-TAMUT Students

https://secure.touchnet.com/C20339_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=261

– Everyone

African-Americans in the United States have consistently fought for the right to vote since the foundation of this nation. A journey of hardships that entailed racism, slavery, and legislation compiled to inhibit black voters. After the passing of the 15th and 19th Amendments, states used tactics including intimidation, poll tax, and literacy tests to make it difficult for black voters to cast a ballot. Yet years after the civil rights era, the fight continues to empower black voters. Black Voters Matter (BVM) is an organization whose purpose is to increase power and effective voting in marginalized, predominately black communities. BVM kicked off the first leg of their East Texas tour at the University of Texas A&M- Texarkana (TAMUT) to inform, encourage, and register voters. 

 On October 22, 2021, BVM hosted an event in the Patterson Student Center from 10-1 pm. Dionna La’Fay, Texas State Coordinator for BVM said, “We are traveling through East Texas with the purpose of listening to the issues plaguing the community, reminding folks about early voting.” TAMUT partnering with BVM provides the opportunity to educate those who are uninformed about the importance of voting.“ The rural parts of Texas, specifically East Texas, rarely receive attention or support that’s necessary for progress, It’s important for folks to feel seen and heard,” La’Fay says. 

In any election, young voters are a crucial part.  Oftentimes, they are misrepresented or unheard. “Our organization understands the importance of encouraging, educating, and mobilizing young people of color,” La’Fay says. Informing and encouraging young voters can shift any election significantly. Providing ways to encourage La’Fay said, “ We will be registering voters, handing out voter guides, giving out early voting reminds, and sharing free giveaways.”

This opportunity has allowed TAMUT students of color the chance to be seen and heard. Reflecting on the goals of the event La’Fay said, “ Our goals are to give folks a chance to share their story through our community survey, register votes, spread early voting reminds, and identify students who are interested in partnering with us.” Not only at TAMUT, but across the nation, BVM is equipping black voters with the tools to make a difference. 

While the idea of a hometown is relatively straightforward for most, Danielle Hamblett has a more complex sense of it. Growing up, her family relocated several times and crossed continents. Thankfully, having a close relationship with her siblings and an encouraging stepmother provided some emotional continuity when geography got in the way. Her rolling stone gathers no moss childhood formed Mrs. Hamblett into the determined instructor and businesswoman she is today. 

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Danielle would not be a permanent resident. Her father worked for a company called AAFES, an organization that helps run facilities on military bases. The job required the family to move several times, including Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and even Japan!  Moving to a country unknown to them came with a culture shock.“ The Japanese were ahead of us in technology. This was new to me at the time, but they had a vending machine with ice cream. It was cutting edge. Here in the states, it was just soda machines and old school vending machines that gave Cheez-Its,” Hamblett says.  During her stay in Japan, she took up Karate with two of her brothers and ended up outlasting them.“ I remember my stepmom saying you know what? They couldn’t hack it, but you’re still in there and you’re a girl,” she says. All her life, her stepmother always encouraged her that she could do whatever boys could do. “ There was a lot of gender talk growing up. I didn’t think that was unique. I thought everybody was raised to think I can do whatever I want. I can do whatever boys could do.” This mindset propelled her to the accomplishments that she has achieved today. 

After leaving Japan, the family settled in Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. Her family moved off again, but Danielle stayed in Louisiana to attend college at LSU-Shreveport. Upon meeting her husband, she transferred to the University of Texas A&M- Texarkana (TAMUT) to finish her bachelor’s. She majored in Mass Communications and finished her master’s degree in 2015.  She is currently an adjunct instructor at TAMUT teaching PR/Advertising.  Reflecting upon her reason for teaching she said, “ I like being a part of the university community. I like staying in the know about what’s happening and hopefully helping touch students’ lives.” 

 Not only is she a TAMUT instructor, but also a businesswoman. Danielle is Co-Founder of a Texarkana, Texas digital marketing agency, For All BrandKind. Her business partner is Co-Founder Traci Pitman. The business started slowly over 5-6 years with freelance work. In 2015, Danielle and Traci taught a class at Texarkana College about getting businesses to use social media to help promote their companies A student approached them asking for help to run their social media. It was the catalyst that launched their business forward. Currently, they have a storefront where they can accept clients and create branding while guiding them through the use of social media. Reflecting on what she is most proud of she said, “Just starting a business. I didn’t have a plan. I am proud of myself for stepping out there. It takes guts and I’m proud of that.” 

From big city lights, a European tour, and finding love, University of Texas A&M-Texarkana  (TAMUT) student Maddie Carruthers has experienced plenty in life. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Carruthers enjoyed the advantages of living in a big city. She stated in comparison to the nightlife of Texarkana, “There are more open later like restaurants and theaters. There is more to do. There are more bars, clubs, and family entertainment.”

 In 2016, she had the opportunity for a two-week European tour that others can only dream of. Her church provided the trip and they were able to make stops in Poland, Italy, and drove through the sights of Germany. The beautiful architecture and breathtaking beauty of Italian lilies made Italy her favorite stop. Carruthers stated, “Italy was pretty, and I had a lot of pasta.” Enjoying the cuisine and sightseeing is a memory that will last her a lifetime.

Next, her priority was graduating high school and selecting a college. Like most teenagers, Carruthers wanted to leave home for a change of pace. Texas A&M University -Texarkana was the solution for her. She stated in comparison to other schools in the DFW area “It’s far away and affordable.” She made the transition from Fort Worth to Texarkana to start her freshman year in 2018. Reflecting on the campus pre-pandemic she stated, “There was a lot of hustle and bustle and a big community feel.”  COVID-19 hit in the spring of 2020. College campuses across the U.S. were required to do remote learning. She had a difficult time with this stating, “I did not like it. I couldn’t sit at the computer 3-4 hours a day and watch videos.” Happy to be back on campus and learn in a classroom she stated, “They know not everyone can handle online learning and they’re doing their best to adjust back to classes and keep everyone safe.”

While attending college in Texarkana, she was also able to meet her fiancé in the city. The two met in August of 2019 and started dating.  A camping trip in March of 2021 became a lasting memory for the couple as she accepted the proposal. Their ideal wedding is in the winter of 2022.  Unfortunately, the pandemic is still prevalent. The couple is taking their time since it is hard to plan. For now, they are enjoying this process and their time together. Moving to Texarkana has given Carruthers experience, education, and a piece of her future family. Upon finishing her degree, she stated, “ We talked about moving back to Fort Worth because I have all my family there.”  As she is thankful for her time here, nothing can replace the feeling of home.