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My faith as a Christian is a really meaningful part of who I am.

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I celebrate Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter!

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I grew up in a Christian background, which has shaped a lot of my values like kindness, forgiveness, and helping others. Faith has always been a big part of my life, influencing how I treat people and how I handle everyday challenges.

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I grew up a military kid. My dad served in the Navy, both my grandpas served, as did a handful of aunts, uncles, and great grandpas.

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My family watches Band of Brothers every memorial day. We also celebrate Catholic holidays. 

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I grew up moving around the states before settling in Texas. I went to Catholic schools growing up and am still a practicing Catholic. Family is important to me, but growing up military made it hard to visit extended family. 

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The biggest part of my life is my faith. I am a Christian and am active in my faith. I would not be who I am without this part of my identity. Additionally, my family plays a significant role in shaping my identity. Family is the second biggest part of my life.

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We celebrate holidays as a family, such as Christmas, Easter, the 4th of July, and our birthdays. We make it a priority to come together and celebrate Christian holidays, but additionally love celebrating each other and our country. 

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I was born in Texas and have lived here my entire life. I was raised in a Christian household where faith is the most important part of our lives. We grew up going to church often and participating in it. Additionally, I was raised near my dad's family and grew up hanging out and loving them. My mom's family lives in Michigan and California, so we do not see them as much, but we still love hanging out with them when we get the opportunity to.

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Sharing the Gospel with youth students at FCA event.

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I love Jesus Christ, and try to live a life that shows that without me having to tell anyone (but I still do lol). I believe in a God that calls us higher and is with us. I am a teacher pursuing my Masters because of a call from Christ, and so I live, work, and study through a Christian lens.

I came to know Christ as an adult after exhausting a lot of different paths, and can honestly say that He saved me. Without Him, I likely would not be here today. I certainly would not be a teacher.

God gave me true identity, value, and purpose. He also gave me genuine community and gave my family a new son/brother. I owe Him my life and so I will use it to the best of my ability to give back, and hopefully provide safety, comfort, and other wise be present in the lives of those around me.

I am excited to get to know y’all and hear your thoughts and expertise in education!

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Christian Faith, Aggie Football, and Ranching

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The two most important parts of my life are my faith in Jesus and my family. I chose this picture to represent me because it includes my family, who are a major source of support, and it was taken on Easter Sunday—a day that highlights the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for me.

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I celebrate Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter with my family all around. 

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I was born in Franklin, Tennessee, but moved to Texas at a young age. I grew up in Conroe and graduated as a proud Conroe Tiger. Recently, I accepted a position teaching 4th-grade reading at the very elementary school I attended as a child! Although I was raised an Auburn Tiger fan, I soon realized that Texas A&M is where I truly belong. My faith and family are my greatest support system, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’m excited to continue my education and give my students the same love and support that meant so much to me throughout my own educational journey.

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I believe having a strong family foundation is crucial for finding your identify. Family does not have to be blood, it could be the people who support you, believe in you, and share your values. For me, my family has played a central role in shaping my identity. They have given me love, guidance, and a sense of belonging that I carry with me in everything I do. Whether it is small traditions, deep conversations, or them being there for me in tough times, my family taught me what it means to be grounded, compassionate, and resilient. Because of them, I feel confident in who I am and the path I am taking.

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I grew up moving around the United States due to my dad being in the military. I have lived in many different places in the US that are very unique. I have now settled in Texas, but my parents live in Ohio, and my brother currently lives in Guam. 

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My family plays a significant role in my life. I chose this picture because I adore seeing my daughters have fun. This picture was taken at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a day of laughter and joy.

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I was born in Galveston, TX. I was raised in Houston TX but currently live in Cleveland TX. I am a first-generation student. I am currently teaching in a dual first grade classroom. 

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Something meaningful about my life is the love I have with my family. My parents built traditions that brought us closer together, like celebrating milestones when we get the chance. Things like that shaped who I am and taught me the importance of showing up for the people you care about.

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I celebrate all the major holidays with my family.

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I was born in Houston and lived in the same house my whole childhood. I loved growing up in Houston because of the cultural diversity and different experiences I had. 

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My family and my christian faith play a major role in my identity. My faith is my foundation and makes me who I am. My family is my support system and keeps me grounded.

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 I celebrate holidays with my family. We celebrate Christmas and Easter. 

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I'm a small town Texas girl. I was raised with Christian values and strive to do better everyday. I always wanted to be a teacher so I could make a difference in the lives of children. I am a first grade teacher. 

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My parents have played a huge part in shaping my identity. My dad's courage and my mom's grace are things that I strive for everyday. I also love this picture because A&M has had a huge impact on my identity and values.

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Celebrating holidays with family, going to church, and spending time with family.

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Born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Was raised in the Christian faith and continue to believe in Jesus.

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A strong, single mother raised me while my dad was often away due to military service.

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We would pick my dad up are the airport dressed in some sort of sports theme. One year was Cowboys, another one was A&M fan gear. He also surprised us a lot, coming to my elementary school for my last day and showing up to my graudation party for high school.

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My dad’s military service meant we moved often, but my cultural foundation came from the strength and traditions passed down. Being raised mostly by her, I learned to value family, faith, and perseverance. My family means everything to me.

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The most important thing in my life is my family! My parents, brother, sister, and I all live in College Station and we are super close-knit. I would not have been able to do all that I have without them.

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We celebrate Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Every New Year's Eve, we make a lot of fondue and dip various foods to celebrate.

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A lot of my ancestors were from Texas, but before they came here, they were from Scotland, Germany, and France. My siblings and I were all born in Temple, Texas. We are an Aggie family, so the Aggie Core Values are very important to us.

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My faith as a Christian is the most important facet of my identity. My faith in Jesus serves as the foundation of my life. Another important part of my identity is my family!

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Celebrating Christian holidays, weekly get togethers with family. 

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I am from a small town in Texas and grew up surrounded by people of faith who always lend a helping hand to those in need and treat others with kindness. I graduated from A&M with my undergraduate degree in sociology, and am finishing up my M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction! I currently live in Bryan. 

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My family is one of the biggest parts of my identity! I would not be close to where I am in life without their support and love. My parents resiliency has shown a wonderful example of what it means to be a strong family and be committed to one another, and that is a big part of who I am.

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We celebrate all Christian religions like Easter and Christmas! 

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I was born and raised in the Houston, TX area! I I grew up in the church, thanks to my parents, and this background has given me a strong sense of faith that has guided me through life. This the biggest part of my culture. A lot of my family is from New Orleans, LA, and even though I have not spent my life there, I see a lot of that culture in my life as well.

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I am from San Antonio, but life and job opportunities have led us to living in Seguin, Texas. Post grad life has me evaluating what my identity looks like as a now second year teacher, fianceé, and the first person in my family to attend graduate school.

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Growing up we used to celebrate every holiday such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Fourth of July with my extended family. Now, as my family has grown older we tend to celebrate holidays with our immediate family and bigger events such as weddings with extended family. 

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I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. From the little information we have been able to find, I have family members on my Father's side from Zacatecas and Durango Mexico. 

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I grew up surrounded by people who always loved and supported me. Having strong family ties is crucial to my identity. Finding the time to come together for all big and small occasions.

My parents divorced at a young age, and this photo shows the man who did not run away but instead shows love and compassion for those who don't share his blood.

Family is a group of people who love and support each other. This is more than the blood we share or even past the same last name. Choosing each other through all the good and bad.

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We celebrate every holiday together, including birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. As well as coming together to support in school activities. 

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I was born in a small East Texas town, Lufkin, Texas. Staying close to Southeast Texas gave me to hometown feel in small towns. Moving around at a young age because I  grew up in a divorced household. Splitting weekends among my parents and being forced into difficult decisions. Neither of my parents graduated from college, so it was not mentioned in my house until high school, when it became clear I would be attending any school of my choosing. Being one of the few in my family to continue my education further with my Master's, I am excited to continue in this program! 

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:) The only picture of our whole group I could find. 

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These are my people (left to right: Me, my son's girlfriend Grace, Barrett (19), Abram (15), and my husband Bradley). Without them and my faith, I would not be where I am today.

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I celebrate Christian holidays and value family time. 

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I was born in Texas and have lived here all of my life, except five months we lived on the beach in Mississippi.  My husband and I were both raised in a traditional Christian homes in a small town. This lead us to creating the same upbringing for our two boys. 

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The identity I take the most pride in is my religion. I was raised Jewish, and when I came to college, I got connected with the Jewish community here. This community has allowed me to learn more about Judaism and gave me a community of fellow Jewish students.

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I celebrate Hanukkah, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur with my family and community.

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I was born and raised in Austin Tx. Being raised in a Jewish household in a predominantly Christian neighborhood was difficult because I didn't know anyone that shared my experience. I was often left out in the winter holidays as my school would put a lot of focus on Christmas. I am beyond thankful to have found my community at Texas A&M and celebrate the holidays with a community even if I am away from home. 

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My wife is a huge part of my identity. I do not know if I could accomplish the things I have without her. She provides me constant support, teaches me new things everyday, and provides joy in my life.

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Major holidays are celebrated with family.

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I was born in Houston, but grew up in the small town of Navasota. My dad raised me and my six other siblings. Growing up, I only saw one other sibling graduate. My childhood pushed me to become the best version of myself. After graduating high school, I worked as a correctional officer in Navasota in order to attend Blinn College. I knew I wanted more in life and enlisting in the Army gave me that opportunity. After the Army, coaching and teaching became something I wanted to. I went back to Blinn College for a year and transferred to A&M. After three years, I graduated and became a coach & teacher at Montgomery, Texas.

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I'm not sure what to share for this section, but I am Hispanic and gay. I enjoy learning and teaching about a variety of cultures and languages. I am passionate about education--specifically, language acquisition and literacy. So, I am pursuing my master's degree in literacy to become a certified reading specialist.

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English, Spanish (intermediate), Korean (low intermediate)

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I am from a rural town in South Texas, but I have lived and taught English in 3 countries, including the U.S.

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A huge part of my identity is the presence and constant support of my family. They are the reason I am who I am and have shaped me into the person I am today. We are all extremely close and I wouldn't have it any other way!

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All major and Christian holidays and July 4th!

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I was born in Dallas, so I was born and raised in Texas. I am also German and Irish from my ancestors! I grew up going to an Episcopalian church but moved to Methodist when we moved houses when I was in high school. Faith is a huge constant in my life!  

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I come from a very large and close knit Muslim family from Pakistan. Since my mom is one of ten, I grew up surrounded by cousins and aunts and uncles. Some of my favorite times to look back on are weddings when everyone celebrates together.

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Celebrating holidays like Eid and fasting for the month of Ramadan.

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I was born in New Jersey, but I grew up in Texas with the rest of my extended family! They have been my largest support system, and I am so grateful for having a close relationship with them. As Asian-Americans, we really learned how to blend our Pakistani and American traditions. I wouldn't wish it any other way!

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I grew up understanding the importance of family, and this is definitely a large part of my identity. My family and friends are a reflection of who I am as a person and they mean the world to me. I'm also from a military family, and this has instilled many values in me such as loyalty, integrity, hard work, and looking out for the people around you.

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My family celebrates Christian holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. I also do a walk every Memorial Day with my dad called "Carry the Load," where we walk with veterans, and families of veterans, who have lost loved ones who died serving our country. 

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I was born and raised in McKinney, Texas, and both of my parents also grew up in the south (Georgia and Tennessee). I think both of my parents growing up in small towns affected how they raised me, and they tried to encourage a love of community in my life. I grew up in a diverse area where I was able to meet people of different religions, ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures. 

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I'm not sure what to share for this section, but I am Hispanic and gay. I enjoy learning and teaching about a variety of cultures and languages. I am passionate about education--specifically, language acquisition and literacy. So, I am pursuing my master's degree in literacy to become a certified reading specialist.

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English, Spanish (intermediate), Korean (low intermediate)

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I am from a rural town in South Texas, but I have lived and taught English in 3 countries, including the U.S.

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I am a first-generation Mexican American, and I take great pride in my heritage. My parents came to the United States in search of a better life for my sisters and me, and thanks to their sacrifices, we were able to receive a strong education and pursue higher education. I am deeply grateful to be Hispanic, as my cultural background has opened so many incredible opportunities for me. It has also allowed me to support and uplift others who share similar experiences, helping them navigate their paths and reach milestones like becoming a college graduate, just as I have.

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We love celebrating every holiday together as a family, especially Christmas, as it is a holiday for Christ and to be grateful for everything in life!

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I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. Both my parents are from Mexico. I grew up traveling to Mexico to visit my grandparents at least once a month, which I loved. After graduation, I moved to Houston, TX where I currently live. 

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My family has really helped shape who I am. We are all so close, and they have all been nothing but supportive to me in everything that I do. (This is not even half of my family this past Thanksgiving!)

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My family has a tradition every Christmas and Thanksgiving that when everyone (who is not staying at the house with us) leaves, we play a game called Toma Todo and listen to music until around 2am. We also love to sing together. My grandpa was in a band in the 60s and all of the grandkids are musicians and singers so when we are lucky to all be home, we always end up singing together.

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My cultural background is Hispanic. My brother and I were baptized Catholic, but as we got older, our parents allowed us to go outside of traditional values and find our own way. This has made my brother and I very open-minded and independent, which we are very grateful for. 

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The people around me are very important to me, both my friends and family. They support me and have helped to mold me into the person I am today. I have many close friends from both high school and college whose relationships I valued deeply. I am also Christian and my relationship with Jesus is something else that is very important to me. It is something I try my best to let guide me through my life everyday.

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My family tries to get together for holidays as often as possible. Other than that, there are certain times of the year when I see certain families members. My dad’s mom owns a lake house, so several times during the summer, we go visit with my cousins. We always get crawfish when we go at the same place, as long as they still have it! Also during the summer, I get to see my mom’s extended family in Colorado. They live in the farm area of Colorado, so we always do things like make bread or ice cream, shuck corn, cook together, and play with the new barn kittens born every year. 

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Though I was born in New York, I only ever remember being a Texan. More specifically, a Texan from Austin. Both of those things have influenced the person I am today in several ways. I grew up in a very Christian family, which has also influenced me in several ways. Eventually, it made my faith stronger and my relationship with Jesus more personal. My family is also full of Aggies, so A&M has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. 

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I'm wearing the denim on denim-- who doesn't love a Canadian tuxedo?

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I have been through many trials in my life and have seen the highest peaks and the lowest valleys. In my early 20's, I used to pray and ask God to take my pain away. When that didn't happen, I would pray and ask Him to give a purpose to my pain. That prayer was answered when I became a middle school English teacher 9 years ago. One important part of my identity is being a teacher because it gives me purpose and brings joy and light to my life.

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I have never missed a Christmas at my parents' house in the Midwest. Many moons ago, I was working for the Houston Rockets and we had a game- in Houston- on Christmas. That didn't stop me from going home. I spent Christmas morning in Cleveland and Christmas night in Houston working the game. My parents poured so much into me growing up and my mom's greatest wish is to have her kids together for holidays. Even though I live across the country, I try to make it home for as many holidays as I can.

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I was born and raised in the Midwest and my dad always tells me that I have "Midwest values." I was textbook middle class, yet somehow, had everything I needed and more. I grew up going to a United Church of Christ church and I credit that community for my faith being as strong as it is today. My family is mainly English, Irish, and Italian. Though I am not a Texan, I have lived here for nearly 10 years, and I am lucky to call Texas home now.

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My son just graduated 5th grade, May 2025.

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I grew up in a divorced family, mostly lived with my single mother. She showed me what a "super-mom" was and how with hard work, anything is possible. She also taught me how to love fiercely and never give up on those you love. I am my child's biggest fan, just like she was mine. I love being a mama, and I am ALWAYS the loudest and proudest mama in the stands at his baseball games.

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We celebrate Christian holidays. We love gathering with friends and family for holidays, birthdays and other celebrations.

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I was born and raised in Garland, TX (about 20 min outside of Dallas). I grew up with divorced parents, I mostly lived with my mother. I grew up in church. I love being a Texan, best state there is! Family has always been very important to me. I am an only child between my mom and dad. I do have 2 older step brothers and a younger half brother from my dad's second marriage. Later in life, I improved my relationship with my father and now we are very close.

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I got to be a co-chair my junior year for Impact! Omega Reuben 2023! A gift straight from God!

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A huge part of my identity is that I am a follower of Jesus Christ! Being a Christian affects every aspect of my being. It affects how I talk, walk, act, think, and love. My identity is in who God says I am. Anytime I am lost or confused, I look to God and His word to guide me and speak truth into my life. I would not be anyone near who I am today if I had never met Jesus (and I wouldn't want to be anyone different!).

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One of my favorite traditions is Christmas dinner. Every year, instead of a traditional American Christmas dinner, we pick a region of the world or theme to center our meal around. Over the more recent years we've done Breakfast, Indian, Italian, Greek/Mediterranean, American, etc. It's an opportunity that we take to learn about other cultures, eat a lot of good food, and cook together! 

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I was born in Texas and have lived here my whole life. My mom's family is from Texas and has been in the Dallas area for many many years. My dad is from a small town outside of Waterloo, Iowa. He brings a lot of midwest tradition (like shorts in the winter!!) into our southern home! If you go back far enough my dad's side of the family is from Sweden and my mom's is from Ireland. 

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Me (the baby) with my family the day my dad completed basic training for the Army!!

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For me, the military and family go hand in hand when it comes to my identity. From the time I can remember, I grew up away from most of my extended family. Moving from base to base, country to country cause family to be my anchor. While I am proud to be a former military kid, the lifestyle made it difficult to grow close with other family but made my relationships with my sisters and parents all the stronger.

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All major holidays + Dia de los Muertos. As a Baylor University alumni, my family loves all things Baylor and traditions.

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I was born in Texas and am very proud to be Texan, despite spending very little time here physically. I am a mix of many cultures. On my dad's side I share Mexican and Native American cultures. And on my mother's side, I am of both Japanese and Italian descent. This variety of ethnicity paired with my experiences living around the world has truly shaped my very interesting cultural background. My family enjoys Japanese food on the regular as I grew up with my Japanese great grandmother and her food. On the other hand, my family shares many fun times centered around Mexican food and cultural celebrations.

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Me! (the baby) with my family the day my dad completed basic training for the Army.

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I am an Orthodox Christian. I’m very proud of my faith and also my culture, I’m Greek. I have always wanted to be a teacher since I can remember and it looks like I am almost there.

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Besides English I speak Greek, Russian, a little Spanish, and a little ASL. 

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I follow traditions of the Orthodox Church which align with most Greek traditions as well  

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Kinda already mentioned my life is like my big fat Greek wedding irl

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My friends and family are a huge part of my identity. They are my biggest supporters and have helped shaped me into the person I am today. I struggled for most of my life to find friends who felt like family and who genuinely wanted the best for me, when I found them I finally felt complete.

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We celebrate every major holiday as a family. One of my favorite tradition's is on Christmas Eve night. After we have had our big family dinner, we all come into the living room and sit in the same spots we do every year. Once in these spots my dad read the Christmas story, Jesus's birth, straight from the bible. Afterwards, we are allowed to open our one Christmas eve present, our Christmas PJs, Then its off to bed for everyone. 

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I was born and raised in a small town very north east Texas. It was the kind of small town where I graduated high school with the same exact kids I was in kindergarten with. My family were big travelers and at a young age I was able to visit multiple countries and cities. I also came to Texas A&M as a third generation Aggie.

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My family are a big part of my life, and the people I rely on the most. They have really shaped a lot of who I am today and have given me countless opportunities to express myself and discover who I am. I know that I wouldn't be here without them, and have them to thank for just about every major accomplishment in my life.

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Christmas is always pretty huge, we all gather together and celebrate with games and family time. 

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My dad's grandpa immigrated from Mexico. In my very early childhood, that was a big part of my life, but as I grew older I spent less and less time with that side of my family.

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My graduation and thanking Jesus for all He has done! 🙌🏼

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My identity is knowing Jesus Christ and finding myself fully in Him, for He has created me and intimately knows me.

When I came to college, I decided to live selfishly. I tried many things, but they all left me broken, empty, and ultimately unsatisfied. I realized the person that I was becoming from the choices I was making, and it terrified me. However, I knew that I could not change my life myself, so I felt stuck.

The Lord used a stranger on Texas A&M's campus to come up to me and ask to pray with me. This ultimately led me to a service being held on campus where I tangibly felt the presence of God and confessed that Jesus Christ was Lord and gave my life to Him. Jesus has truly transformed my life for the better, and I am truly grateful. He fully satisfies

I love the Lord so much, and I am truly so grateful for all the blessings He has given me and the friends I have made along the way. Life with Him is so sweet!

God led me to pursue a master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and I am so excited to be learning alongside y’all!

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Christian faith and other Christian holidays

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I was born in Arlington and raised in Houston, Texas. My father is Hispanic, although I do not know a lot about the culture, and I can not speak Spanish. My mother is white. Growing up, we spent most major holidays with my dad's side of the family, which I have a lot of sweet memories from. I am the oldest sibling and have four younger brothers (two of them are step-siblings, but I just call them my brothers). I love my family so much  

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My family is an important aspect of my identity. My father was born in Oslo, Norway. He and his family immigrated to the United States when he was about eleven. He has raised me and my two sisters with the same Norwegian cultural values.

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Norwegians primarily celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. My whole family comes together to celebrate, exchange presents, and eat great food. Another tradition that my family values is birthdays. On the morning of someone's birthday in my family, we wake them up singing with presents. It has always been exciting to celebrate this way. 

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I was born in Houston, Texas. I have lived here my whole life. My family has always been a great support system. We value the time we spend together with our extended family. My father always highlighted the importance of family. I would not be the woman I am today without them. 

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The biggest part of my life is my family. Growing up with three brothers never left a dull moment. My family has taught me strength through love. Their unwavering support is what drive all motivation. Their honesty and integrity has taught me when to celebrate... loudly.., be humble, and owning up to mistakes.

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I was born in Champaign Illinois and moved to Austin TX about 5 years ago. My roots are heavily based around Italian traditions. My great- grandmother immigrated here from Sicily in the early 1900's. She taught my dad traditional meals and culture. My mother from a heavy Irish-Catholic family. She lived in France for her adolescence and has taught me French and the importance of travel and immersing into different cultures. 

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Something meaningful about my identity is how important my family is to me. My parents and sisters have shaped who I am and taught me what it means to love and support others. They have always been my foundation, and are a big part of why I prioritize relationships and helping others feel valued.

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All Christian holidays! Our faith is super important to us and taking time to recognize the importance of these days is a tradition of ours!

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I was born and raised in Burnet, Texas, which is also where my parents have lived for a long time. Growing up there in a small town meant everyone pretty much knows each other and there’s a strong sense of community.

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My fiancé and wife to be in 41 days is one of the biggest parts of my life. We have been together for over six years. We were high school sweethearts and then attended Texas A&M together. She has been a huge supporter of my career in education and my dream of eventually becoming an Athletic Director and Head Football Coach!

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My family celebrates all holidays together, especially Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth of July. We also always make an effort to plan an annual Beach Vacation, which has grown significantly over the last few years as more and more of my cousins have gotten married and have had kids. This July, I will be getting married, which will officially add my fiancé Kylie to our huge German-Catholic family!

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I was born in College Station, Texas and was raised in a small farming community in West Texas known as Wall, Texas. I grew up apart of a large German-Catholic farming family. Farming has played a significant role in my life, as I have helped my grandpa and two of my uncles plant and harvest a large variety of crops for as long as I can remember. While I have a deep love for farming, I decided my true calling was follow my Mom's footsteps in becoming a teacher and my uncle's footsteps in becoming a football coach. I just finished my first year as a Teacher/Coach at Pilot Point ISD and to say I love my career is an understatement! 

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My family and friends are the biggest part of my life. I don't know where I would be without the support and connection that I have from them.

I grew up with just my mom (who has all the photos) and cannot express enough that I would not be here without her support. She is definitely my biggest cheerleader.

My friends are definitely an extension of my family. They want the best for me and are always there to support me whenever I need them.

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My family is not huge on Hollidays, but we do celebrate Thanksgiving pretty well. I think it is just a great way to show people how grateful you are for them in authentic ways. 

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I was born in Houston Texas, and raised in Houston/Qatar. I am a mix of several cultures. On my mom's side, I am a mix of Cuban and Spanish (Spain). On my dad's side, however, I am German which is where my lovely last name likes to peek through. 

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A meaningful aspect of my identity is my family. Growing up as a military kid caused my family to move every 2 years. While this showed me a variety of ways of life, it also proved stressful in other aspects of my life. However, with the support of my family, I have been able to overcome anything that life has thrown at me. I have been able to grow my own identity using the morals instilled in me while also forming my own opinions through my lived experience.

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A tradition in my family is that we will always play Rummikub with our family's guest or if we are on a trip.                                                                    Holidays are also very important to my family. We are expected to be home for major Christian holidays.      

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I was born in Long Beach, California. From there, my family lived in Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and have now officially settled back in Texas. My mother immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico as a child. Once in the U.S. she met my father in high school and have been married for 30 years. I have had the privilege to visit my family in Mexico throughout my life.

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My family is the most important part of my life. They have taught and supported me in every aspect of my life.

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Every year we spend Christmas in the mountains skiing. We started this tradition about 16 years ago, we felt as if it was more meaningful than giving gifts to one another 

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I was boring and raised in the area of Fort Worth, TX. I have lived around here all 24 years of my life. My parents are very strong believers in learning from experience and supporting yourself.  I was born a Christian where my family attended church often. However, my relationship with God is between him and I and my parents never forced anything into us on.

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The most important part of my life is my Family. They have supported me in any venture that I have undertaken even if they did not believe in it. Without my family by my side I do not think that I would be as successful as I am today

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We celebrate Christmas and Easter as well as the fourth of July as my grandfather fought in WWII

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I was born in Buffalo New York but was raised the majority of my life in Waco Texas which is home to me. My parents now live in Georgia so I spend a lot of time there as well which has now become my second home. This past year was my first year as a teacher which I taught Government and Economics 

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My little family at a wedding this weekend!

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I am a new mom. For the past year I have been raising this amazing little boy alongside his daddy (my fiancé). These two lost a huge part of their hearts when mom, Kayla, passed just 2 months after Jaxon turned 2. Colter and I found new hope in each other this past year as we healed together and became a family. This little guy and his dad are my world. He calls me "mama Kim" and we freely talk about his mommy and my angel babies up in heaven. Our faith in God knitting us all together. This is a huge part of my identity now. My story has a bunch of ups and down, but God has me on a high as he is answering promises he made long ago! The biggest, making me a mom!

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We celebrate all holidays with family and try to focus more on the blessing given to us by God then what we receive. It has also become an important tradition for me to light a candle for my miscarried son Matthew and miscarried daughter Peyton on their birthdays and sing them happy birthday. We added Kayla into the mix this year for Jaxon. And for mothers day we have decided that Jaxon will receive a little gift from his mommy in heaven to remind him she is always there. I look forward to making more new traditions as we go. 

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I grew up in South Texas in a small Hispanic community. That community greatly shaped who I am. My family was hard working and dedicated to success. I was taught that losing is just as important as winning, that when you start something you don't quit, that you should always do what you say, and that above all God is the heart of our story. 

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My family and friends are a large part of my life and have influenced the man I am today.

This photo is of my wife and my parents at my sister's wedding a few weeks ago.

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Spending time with family, supporting underserved populations, and sharing time with our kids/nieces & nephews/cousins 

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I was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, CA. The majority of my extended family members are from Italy and Mexico