Hey y’all!!

My name is Heather McGowan!!I graduated in December 2013 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and I recently accepted a job as the Assistant Band Director at Sul Ross Middle School in Northside ISD in San Antonio! Whew!  I crossed into the bonds of Iota sisterhood in SP 2010 with Serendipity.

My big sister is Lauren Lindigrin who graduated in 2011 and my big brother is Will Fields who graduated just this past May in 2014! 

I was fortunate enough throughout my time in Iota to gain FIVE littles!! Yes, FIVE!! My first set of littles were in Spring 2011 where I gained Kim Jones as a little sister, and Josh Soto as a little brother! 

Then! My last Spring semester at Baylor in 2013, I was blessed with TWITTLE Sisters (twin little sisters) and another wonderful little brother!! My twittles are Kristyn Ottley and Elyse Whitmarsh, and my little brother is Ryan Colson!

Throughout my time in Iota I held several offices…

·         Vice President of Membership

·         Sergeant

·         Projects Chair x2

·         Historian x2

·         Webmaster x2

I completed all my official duties in Iota at the end of Spring 2013, and instead of stepping back from Tau Beta Sigma, I ran for district council and was elected into the Presidential position! My last year as a super active member was that… super active!! I helped plan all the district events including Area Workshops and District Convention 2013 (which was held by Iota & Beta Alpha #sicem)!

My time in Iota has been a whirlwind of fun and friendships, but I never thought that some of the lifelong friendships would be created my very last semester on Baylor’s campus! In fact, just a week and a half ago, Elysekies (who’s originally from California), was in Texas for a brief amount of time before heading off to study abroad in London (super jealous)! She took time out of her busy schedule to drive to San Antonio and visit me! It was super-hot that day, so we didn’t take a lot of pictures, but she was really there!!

Literally the next day after seeing Elyse, I left for upstate New York to visit with Kristyn!! It’s really bizarre  that my twittles literally live on opposite sides of the United States, but I guess that’s a factor that makes our lives interesting!

Anyway, Kristyn contacted me back in May if I would be willing to fly up to New York to help her drive home… Her dad normally flies down and helps her drive home, or will drive her back to Waco and then fly home, but this summer he wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. He told her to ask a friend to fly up and part of the incentive was that we would get to do a lot of really awesome things before the 24-27 hour drive back to Texas!

So enough words! I think pictures are worth a thousand words!

After a 3 hour flight delay in Baltimore, I finally made it to Rochester, NY at 3:00 in the morning… Kristyn was waiting for me, so we hugged, loaded up, and headed to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada! 

After a busy week in Canada, we went to Kristyn’s hometown of Painted Post, NY for a few days. While there, we went walking on some beautiful trails and made some glass!! I made a flower and Kristyn made a sculpture! 

Spending a few days in Painted Post allowed us to gain our energy for New York City!! We spent two days in NYC and we did soooo much while in NYC, but rather than me tell you, just check out all of our photos!! 

Unfortunately, when we got to Jersey, these huge storms swept through the area and kept us inside all day!!! We didn’t get to walk the beach until the next day before we left…

So the whole point of the trip was to get ready to spend 24+ hours in the car to Waco!!! Kristyn has a 7 month old wiener dog named Max, so we knew it would be a while in the car since he has such a small bladder! He’s also rather scared of the car, so please enjoy these photos of him climbing on me! 

We finally made it to Waco at 10:30 AM on Friday morning! We were in the car for a little over 25 hours and we made a bunch of stops for us, Max, and to get gas. This was probably one of the most memorable trips I have ever been on, and I will cherish this time with one of my twittles forever!! 

MOTS

Hey,Iota!


My name is Becky (Grimes) Patrick. I went through the MEP in the Spring of ‘08. My MC class name was Orbit and my MC name was Sa-weet! I was a member of the Plaid Family. My little sister is Madeline Carr and my grandlitte is Allyson (Baker) Bayer. I love being silly, ASL (American Sign Language), being outside, rollerblading, puzzles, and watching TV and movies.


What’s new with me?

I’m married!!! I just became one with my love, Joshua Patrick, on March 15. He is a Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Davis. I am so proud of him. We recently moved to California for his job. While I am enjoying it here, I have to say that I am missing Waco. I had lived there since 2007 until we got married. *sniffle* I am loving married life. God has given me an incredible gift in Josh and I am enjoying getting to know him better and better each day. (Okay, no more sappy talk.)

Until last week, I was a homemaker. While I haven’t given up my responsibilities at home, I have just started a new business. I am excited to say that I am a Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant. I love my new job!!! I get to make my own schedule, have fun “working” on Facebook by playing games, and have cute nails all of the time. Win, Win, WIN!

I am also working on becoming a nationally certified interpreter for the Deaf. That has been my dream for a long time. Right now, I am meeting with a mentor and studying/preparing for the exams. It is hard work, but I love it. It is so fulfilling to provide a service in such a beautiful language.

My time at Baylor and in Tau Beta:

Wow… I can’t believe it is over. I graduated in 2012. It seems like years ago, and yet, it doesn’t at the very same time. My advice? Cherish every minute at Baylor and with TBS. Sometimes the semesters are long and SING seems like an eternity, but the memories you make are well worth it. It’s the little moments you remember the most.

For example, I remember that I was Assistant Con woMan while a new MC class was coming through. We had a training day with them where we taught them all of the ins and outs of selling concessions for TBS/KKY. I remember asking if it was okay to distract them and steal candy to see if they noticed. And then… I did. It was hilarious. Many of the girls were completely oblivious. Amelia and I laughed so hard.

I have so many memories that I wouldn’t trade for the world; even the tough times. All of the struggles made for great lessons and I am certainly better off for having learned them. Best of all, I had sisters alongside me the entire way.

To sum it all up: “Glad He led this way. Iota sisters, you are mine to stay!”

I am always available if any of you need anything, TBS related or not. Don’t hesitate to hit an alumna sister up.

May God, in his amazing grace, bless and keep you all of the days of your life!

MLITB,

Becky

https://www.facebook.com/becky.grimes.1023
beckyjopatrick@gmail.com
281-733-5200

What was your MC class name? Orbit

What was your MC name? Orange

When did you cross? Spring 2008 … wow that makes me feel old

Who are your bigs? My Bigs are Sequoyah Johnson and Sarah Marzano.

Who are your littles? I have three littles: Jeanne Knepper, Will Fields, and Eric Roos. 

Where did you grow up? In San Antonio/Helotes.  

Where did you graduate high school? O’Connor High School.  My high school had an ag barn. It smelled like poop most days. It was disgusting.  

Why did you choose Baylor? What I usually tell people is because it had a really great music program (which it does), and my horn instructor from high school sent most of his students to Baylor (which he did). But the TRUTH is that I was dating a guy in high school my junior year that decided to go to Baylor, and then my senior year I applied and got in. I broke up with him after band week right before the first day of classes during freshman year of college.  

While at Baylor, where did you live? I started at North Russell, then moved into The Centre with a Tau Beta and a Bugwber my sophomore and junior year. Then for my last year and a half at Baylor I lived at 114 with Brenna Middleton, Katie Hart, and Jeanne Knepper. 

What was your most difficult class? I can’t really remember any one specific class being more difficult than any other, so I referred back to my transcript for this one. According to my transcript recital attendance was my most difficult class. I failed that twice. Haha... 

What is your favorite place and tradition on the Baylor campus? My favorite place on campus is 5th st. I had a very special moment happen last year during the homecoming parade on 5th st.- which so happens to be my favorite tradition.  c:  My boyfriend at the time proposed to me during the homecoming parade. Word to the wise - pick your drivers carefully if you are a nominee! You may end up a wife! 

What did you play in BUGWB? I was a hornstar! But I was also on staff my last year. 

Did you hold any leadership positions in Band Council, within your section, or TBS? Oh... where to begin.  I was on Band council as recruiting representative two years in a row.  I was keeper, service chair three times, VP of Education twice, unofficial blog person (it wasn’t an office yet...).  I was a squad leader, a section leader, and then on staff.  I think that’s it... 

Why did you decide to join Tau Beta Sigma? Everybody was doing it...  but seriously t was the thing that all my friends were in or deciding to do. 

What was your favorite Tau Beta event? The two third degrees I got to watch the two classes I trained go through.  Being VP was one of my favorite parts of being in TBS.  Watching those ladies cross was so great!

With what degree did you graduate? BA Music.  

What did you do with your degree? I got alternatively certified to teach music. 

What are you doing now/what do you want to continue doing? I am the assistant band director  at Harris Academy Middle School in San Antonio ISD.  I really sucked at it at first, but I’m getting the hang of it, and sucking at lot less now.  I definitely want to continue teaching middle school band for a little bit, but eventually the goal will be to teach high school band somewhere in texas.  Gotta have my marching band.  Maybe I’ll even get involved in Drum Corps again at some point at teach DCI during the summers.  

Tell us a funny/awesome Tau Beta story? (K-Psi can be included) Is it allowed to be my wedding?  Back in August I married a kpsi from the Beta Alpha chapter.  That was awesome.  Half of our bridal party was made up of Tau Beta and K-psi friends.  Like I said - awesome.  And we continue to live happily ever after. 

Show us some of your favorite Tau Beta pictures as well as pictures of your bigs/littles :) 

Remember how I said I got married... Ya most of these are going to be wedding pictures...

Draw a picture of a turtle 

,=,e

Draw a picture of a turtle 

What was your MC class name? Greek Goddesses!!

What was your MC name? Hestia, Greek Goddess of Hearth & Home J

When did you cross? Spring 2005

Nicole Gumke

Ben Cozad

Huy Nguyen  

Where did you grow up? I grew up in the wonderful city of Austin, TX

Where did you graduate high school? John B. Connally High School

Why did you choose Baylor? I fell in love with the beautiful campus… also, it had an amazing reputation for music and the sciences! Baylor being a Christian University was also a bonus.

While at Baylor, where did you live? I lived in North Russell my freshman year, then moved to Baylor Plaza.

What was your most difficult class? Probably Anatomy & Physiology

What is your favorite place and tradition on the Baylor campus? My favorite area on campus would probably be the grounds in front of the Pat Neff building and the entire Old Main area; it’s just pretty and old school.  As for traditions… Homecoming week!

What did you play in BUGWB? Piccolo

Did you hold any leadership positions in Band Council, within your section, or TBS? Yep! I was secretary in Tau beta, as well as chaplain too (I can’t remember when exactly) :) I was also on the Band Council for TBS & served as a squad leader for two marching seasons.

Why did you decide to join Tau Beta Sigma? I love music & I love serving others. Tau Beta Sigma was a fun way to do both and bond with great people in the process. 

What was your favorite Tau Beta event? Attending Southwest District Convention!! So much fun. Also all of our “Rush” and “Take a Dates”… good times! 

With what degree did you graduate? Nursing!!

What did you do with your degree? I’m a Registered Nurse at Select Specialty Hospital, a Long Term Acute Care Facility!! I love being able to literally assist in a person’s healing process!! It’s very very satisfying.

What are you doing now/what do you want to continue doing? I married the man of my dreams…we’re currently living in San Marcos, just south of Austin, TX. As of now, I plan on continuing to work as a nurse and maybe pick up some new hobbies along the way. 

What was your MC class name? What was your MC name?

When did you cross? I pledged the Spring of 2003, while attending Angelo State University. My pledge class was Alpha Sigma. The tradition there was that our big sister would nickname us after third degree. My nickname is “Z.I.P.L.O.C.K.” which stands for zippy, independent, pretty, lovely, outrageous, courageous, and kinky. The caps, quotes, and periods are a family tradition. 

Who are your bigs? John Middleton and Ginger Hoppert Allen

Who are your littles? Nicole Gumke and Celeste Nugent Gollinger, Chris Farris and Kyle Keyes

 Where did you graduate high school? Red Oak HS, south of Dallas

Why did you choose Baylor? My voice teacher poached me after hearing me at a competition, and I already loved the campus from attending District Convention.

While at Baylor, where did you live? Allen dorms and then the Island with the Best Roomie Ever!!

What was your most difficult class? Music History. It was so terrible that last semester when I started my Master’s Degree, I had to take Remedial Music History!!!

What is your favorite place and tradition on the Baylor campus? I love being on Baylor campus, but my favorite ever is remembering my first football game. I was so excited to march in Floyd Casey that I even teared up a little. Okay, maybe a lot…

What did you play in BUGWB? Mello!!

Why did you decide to join Tau Beta Sigma? I am very passionate about sharing my love of music and supporting college bands is a great way to start!

What was your favorite Tau Beta event? I love a good rush event with my girlies!

With what degree did you graduate? Bachelor of Choral Music Education

What did you do with your degree? I’m flinging my Green and Gold afar!! And taught elementary music before staying home to wrestle two baby bears

What are you doing now/what do you want to continue doing? I am currently a research assistant at Baylor University researching the brain development of early childhood and how it affects their musical development. I am commuting from Dallas a few days a week. It is so inspiring to work with the little ones and watch their love for music grow! I have been married for six years to the most amazing big brother a Tau Beta could ask for, and we have two of the most intelligent and, of course, perfect children ever, Sera and Seth. They are also terribly brainwashed about Baylor. 

Tell us a funny/awesome Tau Beta story? While at National Convention with Mandie Rhodes McKenzie, Karen Miller told us a sad story of how her mother, Janet West Miller, had her Tau Beta Sigma National President ring stolen while having surgery. We decided to purchase a new ring for her and worked with the chapter to raise the funds. It truly is a wonderful feeling to do something for others.

Draw a picture of a turtle :)