Howdy Moms,

“Keeping the Home Fires Burning”. A simple theme, steeped in military traditionof families taking care of business at home so their soldiers don’t worry. Thistheme can easily relate to Aggie Moms taking care of the home front (and eachother) so their Aggies can be the best they can be. I will paying honor to myactive duty Aggie Soldier Boy by working diligently for the benefit of all ourDenton County Aggie students. I am really looking forward to the upcomingyear and the great Aggie Moms I will be working with as your new President.The Board and I will be introducing a few new initiatives this year that will helpus all “Keep the home Fires Burning”.

We are so excited about the new Moms that have already joined. We are alsoasking all Moms to invite any of your friends who may have new Aggies this yearto come visit us. We have a great line up of programs and activities thisupcoming year, and look forward to sharing all of your kids journeys.

GIG ‘EM!Sally HarrisonPresident Denton County Aggie Moms

SEPTEMBER 2016 NEWSLETTERThe President’s Column

2016-2017 DCAMBOARD OF OFFICERS

Meet your 2016-2017 Denton County Aggie Moms Board of OfficersFrom left to right:Pam Coker – Co-Chairman Fundraising/BoutiqueGina Smith Thurman – Co-Chairman Fundraising/BoutiqueLisa Howard – Co-Chairman of Student HospitalityEllen Breidenich – Co-Chairman of ProgramsElaine Miller – Chairman of MembershipSally Harrison – PresidentSheila Finn - SecretaryCindy Murray – Communications Dot.com MomLisa Jo Garcia – Chairman of Finance Committee/TreasurerWendy Alvarez – Chairman of Publicity/HistorianLeslie Kelman – Co-Chairman of ProgramsSandy Kemp – Corresponding secretary/Sunshine MomSherri Haag– Co-Chairman of ProgramsKathy Ames – Co-Chairman of Student HospitalityHeather Frey – Vice President

Not pictured:Pam Russell – President ElectLeMona Haydin – Chairman of the NewsletterDoris Casey – Chairman of the YearbookLaurie Lancaster – Pecan Chairperson

AGGIE BAND

12TH MAN MIDNIGHT YELL MAROONN OUT

YELL LEADERS AGGIE SONGS

AGGIE BAND

The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is the official marching band of Texas A&M. Also known as the Noble Men of Kyle or just the Aggie Band, the band is the largest military marching band in the United States. All members of the band are members of the Corps of Cadets.

The nationally acclaimed band, which was formed in 1894, is known for its military precision and style. In fact, some of the band’s maneuvers — such as the famous Block T — are so complex that a computer says they can’t be done because they require two people to be in the same place at the same time.

It’s often said that the Aggie Band has never lost a halftime, so when the band steps off on the heavy beat of the “Aggie War Hymn” during halftime, Aggies respond with a resounding “Whoop!” The band performs at all university home football games, some away games, and other functions throughout the year. The band has also participated in inaugural parades for many U.S. presidents and Texas governors, as well as numerous other special events, making it one of the most traveled collegiate bands in the country.

YELL LEADERS

When people want to know where the cheerleaders are during Aggie games, they quickly learn Aggies don't cheer — they yell. Instead of cheerleaders, yell leaders walk the sidelines. Yell leaders are a team of upperclassmen —three seniors and two juniors — elected each year by the student body.

During one game, the upperclassmen ordered the freshmen to find a way to entertain their guests. The freshmen found white coveralls and began leading the crowd in yells. They had so much fun and received so much attention from their audience that it was decided that only upperclassmen would be allowed to participate in leading yells in the future.

Aggie Yell Leaders still wear white during games and attend all home and away football games, all home basketball, volleyball and soccer games, as well as post-season football, basketball and volleyball games. They can always be found on the sidelines of the playing field in front of the student section, encouraging the Aggies to show their Aggie Spirit.

AGGIE SONGSThe rich history of The Aggie War Hymn, the official war hymn of Texas A&M (Texas A&M does not have a fight song), dates back to World War I. The lyrics to the iconic song were scrawled during 1918 on the back of a letter from home by J.V. “Pinky” Wilson, one of the hundreds of Aggies who fought during World War I, as Wilson sat in a trench during a battle in France. Wilson originally called his song “Goodbye to Texas University,” a nod to Texas A&M’s rivalry with the University of Texas, and created it by combining several Aggie yells used at the time to form the lyrics.

In 1928, Wilson penned another verse at the request of several Aggies that thought Wilson’s original version was too focused on the University of Texas — this verse is now the first verse of the War Hymn, but it never caught on. Today, the second verse is sang twice, and once that is completed, Aggies link arms and legs and sway left to right to “saw Varsity’s horns off.”

The Spirit of Aggieland is the alma mater of Texas A&M, originally written as a poem in 1925 by Marvin Mimms, Class of 1926. The music was authored by Col. Richard Dunn, director of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. The song was composed to be more somber in contract to The Aggie War Hymn so it could be played at ceremonies like Muster. The Spirit of Aggieland was performed for the first time at a 1925 Midnight Yell.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Aggie War Hymn was rated as the No. 1 song

by USA Today.

12TH MAN

On Jan. 2, 1922, the heavily outgunned Aggies were facing the top-ranked Centre College Praying Colonels on the gridiron in the Dixie Classic in Dallas. An Aggie by the name of E. King Gill, a squad player for Texas A&M’s football team, was up in the press box helping reporters identify players on the field below — and what was happening on the field wasn’t pretty.

And Gill remained standing, the only player left on the team’s bench.

The Aggies found themselves plagued by injuries, with their reserves seemingly dwindling with every play. As Texas A&M Coach Dana X. Bible looked across his rapidly emptying bench, he suddenly remembered Gill’s presence in the stands. Bible waved Gill down to the sideline and told him to suit up. Gill ran under the bleachers and put on the uniform of injured running back Heine Weir, who had been knocked out of the game in the first quarter.

Gill returned to the sideline, where he stood ready to play for the entirety of the game. When the last play was run, the Aggies found that they had pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football history, winning the game 22-14.

Gill’s willingness to serve his team in 1922 has passed down from generation to generation of Aggies for more than nine decades, as Texas A&M’s student section stands together during entire football and basketball games, a symbol of the 12th Man on the team.

The power of the 12th Man is echoed in the unity, the loyalty, and the willingness of Aggies to serve when called to do so. And it is the reason that Texas A&M has earned a name that embraces Gill’s simple gesture of service: Home of the 12th Man.

MIDNIGHT YELL

The night before every home game, Aggies hold Midnight Yell at Kyle Field. It is regularly attended by more than 25,000 people. Midnight Yell is also held for every away game, usually at a location in or near the city where Texas A&M will play their opponent.

Yell Practice became a regular after-dinner ritual in1913, but the first Midnight Yell wasn’t held until 1931. It began when a group of cadets were gathered in Peanut Owens’ dorm room in Puryear Hall, when someone suggested that all of the freshmen should meet on the steps of the YMCA Building at midnight to practice yells. The freshman asked the two senior yell leaders at the time to attend. The two said they couldn’t authorize the event, but they just might happen to show up. Word about the midnight gathering quickly spread, and that evening, Midnight Yell was born. When Owens became a yell leader, it became a tradition to walk back and forth. This was because Owens’ feet were too big to fit on the steps of the YMCA Building, the original location of Midnight Yell, so he paced in order to keep his balance — and the other yell leaders joined in.

Midnight Yell begins when the yell leaders lead the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and current and former students into the stadium. Once there, the yell leaders lead the crowd in yells dating back to the earliest days of Texas A&M. The crowd will sing The Aggie War Hymn and listen to fables from the yell leaders, telling how the Aggies are going to beat their opponent on the field the next day.

A recent addition to Midnight Yell is called First Yell. The yell leaders started First Yell in 1999 as a way of welcoming all Aggies, including both current and former students, back to campus to begin a new school year. First Yell occurs on the weekend of the first home football game and includes performances from student, local and nationally known entertainers.

This year the Maroon Out game will be against Tennessee on Saturday, October 8th!

MAROON OUT

Each football season, one game is specially designated for Aggie fans to “Maroon Out” as a way to build unity among the Aggie community. Maroon T-shirts are sold by Class Councils at low cost, encouraging Aggies to wear maroon to an upcoming football game.

The Maroon Out tradition began in 1998 when tens of thousands of Aggies attending the Texas A&M vs. Nebraska game were encouraged to wear their Aggie colors and create a sea of maroon in Kyle Field. So many maroon shirts were purchased that it led to a temporary national shortage of maroon T-shirts.

Even the Nebraska fans acknowledged after the game that the intensity of the Maroon Out spirit made a difference in the game leading to A&M's 28-21 victory. As The Daily Nebraskan expressed on October 12, 1998: "A game that was dubbed a 'maroon-out' for Texas A&M fans proved to be a lights out for Nebraska. The fans dressed themselves in maroon T-shirts in an attempt to wash out the red and white that opponents have gotten used to. It worked."

PLACES TO EAT IN AGGIELAND

Never think again about where to eat while visiting Aggieland.Try out a few of these suggestions.

Hullabaloo DinerKoppe BridgeSodolaks Beefmasters RestaurantLayne’s Chicken FingersGrub BurgerNapa FlatsAji sushiTaz Indian CuisineShiraz Shish KabobMadden’s Casual Gourmet40 TempuraFuegoMickey’s SlidersMESS Waffles, Etc.Blackwater Draw Brewing Co.Caffe CapriMad TacoAntonio’s PizzaCafé Eccell

C&J BBQVeritas Wine & BistroPaolo’s Italian KitchenJJ’s SnowconesHarvey WashbangersPotato ShackThe Corner Bar & GrillBlue BakerFusion PeruSwamp TailShipwreck GrillDixie ChickenKai’s DoughnutsVillage CaféAmico Nave RistoranteThe Proudest MonkeyFargo Pit BBQChef CaoChicken Oil Co.

GAME DAY 2016

The start of the Fall Semester marks the start of another exciting Aggie Football season!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

September 3September 10September 17 September 24

October 1October 8

October 22October 29

November 5November 12November 19 November 24

vs. UCLAvs. Prairie View A&M@ Auburnvs. Arkansas (Arlington, Texas AT&T Stadium)@ South Carolinavs. Tennessee@ Alabamavs. New Mexico State@ Mississippi Statevs. Ole Missvs. UTSAvs. LSU

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Stay up to date on campus events!Posted each month and emailed through our Family Member email listserv,this electronic newsletter is intended for family members of all currentstudents.

Parents of first-year Aggies receive this newsletter from the Office of New Student & Family Programs twice during their student's first year at Texas A&M. The Aggie Connection Newsletter provides information on campus events, issues facing first year students, and updates on campus resources.

Designed specifically for family members by the Office of New Student & Family Programs, the Family Calendar serves as the family guide to helping students through the first year of enrollment at Texas A&M.

The Family Calendar

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Texas A&M will use the system only to provide official notification of critical emergencies (i.e. situations that pose an imminent, physical threat to the community).

Texas A&M University will send emergency alerts through Code Maroon's RSS feed and Twitter account. Anyone can receive alerts by subscribing to the RSS feed or following "TAMUCodeMaroon" on Twitter; however, delivery by Twitter cannot be guaranteed since Code Maroon does not manage this notification outlet.

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WANT TO BE IN THE KNOW

Before parents/guardians can access their student's information online, their student must set up Parent/Guardian Access in the Howdy web portal. If authorized by your student, you will have two accounts:• Bill Payment Suite-http://billpay.tamu.edu allows parents/guardians to

view billing history and make payments on your behalf. • Howdy-http://howdy.tamu.edu allows parents/guardians to access your

academic records, tax forms, financial aid and other services.

PortalConnecting you to Texas A&M

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DCAM ResourcesFacebook: Denton County Aggie Moms. Be sure to like us.Aggie Network: dentoncountymoms.aggienetwork.comEmail us at: dentoncountymoms@aggienetwork.com

AGGIE MOM FISH CAMP

Our Aggies have Fish Camp or T-Camp to aid in their transition from home to college life and to introduce them to the traditions of Texas A&M University. So do Aggie Moms!

Since 1994, the Federation of TAMU Mothers’ Clubs has held Aggie Mom Camp in Aggieland. This event is similar to that of the camps for our Aggies. Aggie Mom Camp is loads of fun!! There are behind the scenes campus tours, group sessions, skits, shopping, and lots of bonding with both “old” and “new” Aggie Moms.

Join us for Aggie Mom Camp to meet other Aggie Moms and have a wonderful weekend in Aggieland!

For more information and to register, please go to: http://aggiemoms.org/aggiemomcamp/

Who: All Aggie Moms!What: Aggie Mom Camp 2016When: October 14 – 16, 2016Where: Hilton Hotel, College StationThis Year’s Theme: “Keeping The Spirit”

Registration Deadline: Must be postmarked by September 19, 2016.

TEXAS A&M FAMILY WEEKEND

Formerly known as Parents Weekend, Family Weekend has been a Texas A&Mtradition since its inception in 1919. Although it has seen several namechanges over the years, Family Weekend has remained a constant forstudents and families at Texas A&M University. As the host of activitiesranging from the formerly held Bevo Burn Barbeque to the newest FamilyWeekend tradition, Aggie Family Game night, Family Weekend Committee isa sponsored student organization that manages all aspects of FamilyWeekend. Family Weekend is a special time dedicated to Aggie parents andfamily, and gives Aggie students a chance to express their gratitude to thosewho have impacted their lives. This upcoming school year, Family Weekendwill be held on April 7-9th 2017.

Mark your calendars for April 7-9. Texas A&M Family Weekend 2017

will be something you won't want to miss!

Aggie Ring DayClayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni CenterThousands of Aggies, family, and friends gather at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center on Aggie Ring Day to celebrate achieving an academic milestone and receiving the most visible symbol of the Aggie Network: the Aggie Ring.

Aggie Moms' BoutiqueMemorial Student Center (MSC)Aggie Gift and Craft Fair presented by the Aggie Moms' Clubs

TEXAS A&M FAMILY WEEKEND

Corps of Cadets Review and Unit Awards CeremonySimpson Drill FieldThe Corps of Cadets honors those units which excelled as a result of their skill, discipline, and teamwork during the year. Following the Unit Awards, the Corps of Cadets will conduct a pass in review.

Aggie Family Game NightThe Zone Club at Kyle FieldPresented by the Parents’ Weekend Committee, New Student & Family Programs, and the 12th Man Foundation, Aggie Family Game Night features board games, dominoes, bingo, and performances from several student organizations.

Yell PracticeKyle FieldJoin the Yell Leaders and Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band as you experience a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Yell Practice!

Kyle Field ToursHall of Champions (West Side of Kyle Field)Don’t miss your chance to see Kyle Field.

FootballKyle Field2017 Spring Game. Tickets required.

Vice President’s Open HouseThrockmorton Street, across from Sanders Corps CenterHosted by The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice President’s Residence will be open to campus visitors.

TEXAS A&M FAMILY WEEKEND

Library Open HouseCushing Memorial Library and Archives & Sterling C. Evans Library (LIBR)Stop by Evans Library for a guided look at Mapping Historic Aggieland! Head to Cushing Library to view historical exhibits, showcasing Texas A&M memorabilia and our digital collection of Texas A&M Yearbooks.

George Bush Presidential Library and MuseumGeorge Bush Presidential Library and Museum, $The museum’s core exhibits reveal the unique influences and challenges that shaped George Bush’s life and presidency, and frequently changing temporary exhibits present visitors new and interesting perspectives on President Bush, his life and work. In addition, a special section is dedicated to First Lady Barbara Bush and her efforts on behalf of literacy, AIDS awareness and prevention, and volunteerism.

Family Weekend is extremely popular.We suggest you book your hotel room now!

You won’t want to miss it!April 7-9, 2017

AGGIE MOM FASHION SHOW

NEXT DCAM BOARD MEETING

NEXT DCAM MEETING