In the Southeastern Conference this season, 25 women's basketball student-athletes dawn an SEC Graduate patch on their jersey…five of them wear the Maroon & White.
That's right, a fifth of the graduates in the entire league reside in Aggieland. Anna Dreimane, Ciera Johnson, Kayla Wells, N'dea Jones and Aaliyah Wilson.
All five received their bachelor's degrees in the past year - already former students with their Aggie gold, and a membership to the largest and farthest reaching alumni base in the entire country.
Typically, once you get your bachelor's that's it. That is the climax of your college career. Well this group isn't typical. Now they are onto their master's degrees. Something that only 8% of the country's population gets.
Dreimane is pursuing her master's in business. The Riga, Latvia, native comes to Aggieland from across the pond. The only way to get here was either by water or by air. She chose that latter, not just for a means of transportation, but for a way of life.
"I want to work in aviation," Dreimane said. "I want to work for a private company in aviation and hopefully one day have my own airline."
This shouldn't have been much of a surprise if you follow Anna on Instagram. On August 13, you could see her skydiving for the first time in her life. The sky is where she feels at home, and the sky is just the beginning for her.
Johnson has plans that stay in the sports world. She wants to be a resource for athletes.
"I plan and hope to one day be a financial advisor for pro athletes." Johnson said.
Earlier this summer, the Duncanville, Texas, native became a founding member of The B.L.U.E.print. It is a student-athlete led organization that provides leadership opportunities and a sense of community while empowering Black individuals to use their voice.
Johnson is the Vice President of the organization, and they have put on educational sessions that have helped move Texas A&M Athletics forward in an era of social justice and equality.
Wilson is going to walk along the same lines as Johnson. The Oklahoman has goals of starting non-profit organizations with other athletes that are designed to help their home communities. Give opportunity, resources, facilities and much more to the places that raised them.
If you have ever watched Wilson on the court, you could see that the way she plays mirrors her professional goals. She scores, she rebounds, she defends and she pours her blood, sweat and tears into every possession on the court. For what?
For her team.
She does it for those that have invested and believed in her.
You all know N'dea Jones is one of the most prolific players in the country, and is on just about every player of the year watch list imaginable. However, did you know that she is as musically gifted as they come? The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native can play can play the flute, drums, piano and sings.
She is an artist on the glass and in life. Jones comes from a family of artists that span generations. Entertainment is in her DNA, and she will continue to do that long after her basketball days are done.
You walk into Reed Arena and a couple of things are certain. The Aggies are about to play some hoops, and you'll be able to see Kayla Wells grinning from ear to ear.
She has an infectious personality that you just can't forget. And that makes hearing what she wants to do after she receives her master's all the more sweet.
"I hope to play professionally and then after I would like to use my connections from playing professionally to go into sports broadcasting," Wells said. "I would love to be able to tell other athletes stories."
We know that every Aggie in Aggieland loves to hear that. What better route than that for No. 11? One day you flip on ESPN and see her recapping the day's events. You'll reminisce on the days you saw her raining in threes at Reed. You'll love to see it.
Pursuing a master's degree is something very few do. Like we said, only 8% of the country has one. It's an accomplishment that most don't even dream of getting.
That holds true for a couple of our graduates.
"I never thought I would be here getting my masters," Wells said. "But God had other plans for me, I'm so blessed to be in this position. My parents and family are so proud that I graduated and that I am working towards getting my master's. It means everything to them."
Wilson added. "I never thought I would be getting a master's degree, but being in this position and being able to bring this type of accomplishment to my family means everything. Being the first person to obtain a master's degree in my family will be something to cherish."
The meaning of a master's degree to a family is incredible. You can see it in their statements.
It is something to be cherished. It means everything.
Speaking of family, what about the 12th Man? The Aggie Network reaches far and wide. You go anywhere in the world and if you're wearing your Aggie Ring, an Aggie is bound to find you.
"It is a pretty big deal." Jones said "I don't think people really understand the culture unless you become a part of it. Even just getting a degree is amazing. I have the mindset that there are Aggies everywhere, and no matter where I am I can always find somebody. That why I really enjoy it because it's like having family outside of your family."
Dreimane said. "There is no other place like A&M, I have met many amazing people during my time here and I know I will cross my path with many more Aggies no matter where life takes me. Last Christmas, I went to Ireland for couple of days we had off from basketball and met a lady in a Dublin airport with an Aggie Ring on her finger. So yes, it's true. Aggies are everywhere. And being one myself is something I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Johnson said. "It means that I'm apart of family and I know that wherever I am I will be taken care of because that's what Aggies do."
Wilson added. "Being part of the 12th Man and this prestigious university has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. To me it means being a part of a forever family. The Aggie Network and tradition is second to none."
Each of them does and plans to do what Aggies do.
Lead.
Nowhere in the country will you find more ambition than in this group.
Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Selfless Service and Respect. The Core Values of Texas A&M shine through on the court, and will shine through in life for them.
When these five's playing days are done, you'll know where to look. Just look to the top. That's where they will be.
Follow The Aggies
Anna Dreimane - Twitter & Instagram
Ciera Johnson – Twitter & Instagram
N'dea Jones – Twitter & Instagram
Kayla Wells – Twitter & Instagram
Aaliyah Wilson – Twitter & Instagram
That's right, a fifth of the graduates in the entire league reside in Aggieland. Anna Dreimane, Ciera Johnson, Kayla Wells, N'dea Jones and Aaliyah Wilson.
All five received their bachelor's degrees in the past year - already former students with their Aggie gold, and a membership to the largest and farthest reaching alumni base in the entire country.
Typically, once you get your bachelor's that's it. That is the climax of your college career. Well this group isn't typical. Now they are onto their master's degrees. Something that only 8% of the country's population gets.
Dreimane is pursuing her master's in business. The Riga, Latvia, native comes to Aggieland from across the pond. The only way to get here was either by water or by air. She chose that latter, not just for a means of transportation, but for a way of life.
"I want to work in aviation," Dreimane said. "I want to work for a private company in aviation and hopefully one day have my own airline."
This shouldn't have been much of a surprise if you follow Anna on Instagram. On August 13, you could see her skydiving for the first time in her life. The sky is where she feels at home, and the sky is just the beginning for her.
Johnson has plans that stay in the sports world. She wants to be a resource for athletes.
"I plan and hope to one day be a financial advisor for pro athletes." Johnson said.
Earlier this summer, the Duncanville, Texas, native became a founding member of The B.L.U.E.print. It is a student-athlete led organization that provides leadership opportunities and a sense of community while empowering Black individuals to use their voice.
Johnson is the Vice President of the organization, and they have put on educational sessions that have helped move Texas A&M Athletics forward in an era of social justice and equality.
Welcome to The B.L.U.E.print!
— The B.L.U.E.print (@blueprinttamu) August 3, 2020
We are so excited to begin this journey with each and everyone of you!
We have came a long way, but this is only the beginning...
Black Student Athletes voices want to be heard, so let's Educate, Equip and Empower, together!
Thanks & Gig'Em pic.twitter.com/FylLW6tuHd
Wilson is going to walk along the same lines as Johnson. The Oklahoman has goals of starting non-profit organizations with other athletes that are designed to help their home communities. Give opportunity, resources, facilities and much more to the places that raised them.
If you have ever watched Wilson on the court, you could see that the way she plays mirrors her professional goals. She scores, she rebounds, she defends and she pours her blood, sweat and tears into every possession on the court. For what?
For her team.
She does it for those that have invested and believed in her.
You all know N'dea Jones is one of the most prolific players in the country, and is on just about every player of the year watch list imaginable. However, did you know that she is as musically gifted as they come? The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native can play can play the flute, drums, piano and sings.
She is an artist on the glass and in life. Jones comes from a family of artists that span generations. Entertainment is in her DNA, and she will continue to do that long after her basketball days are done.
You walk into Reed Arena and a couple of things are certain. The Aggies are about to play some hoops, and you'll be able to see Kayla Wells grinning from ear to ear.
She has an infectious personality that you just can't forget. And that makes hearing what she wants to do after she receives her master's all the more sweet.
"I hope to play professionally and then after I would like to use my connections from playing professionally to go into sports broadcasting," Wells said. "I would love to be able to tell other athletes stories."
We know that every Aggie in Aggieland loves to hear that. What better route than that for No. 11? One day you flip on ESPN and see her recapping the day's events. You'll reminisce on the days you saw her raining in threes at Reed. You'll love to see it.
Pursuing a master's degree is something very few do. Like we said, only 8% of the country has one. It's an accomplishment that most don't even dream of getting.
That holds true for a couple of our graduates.
"I never thought I would be here getting my masters," Wells said. "But God had other plans for me, I'm so blessed to be in this position. My parents and family are so proud that I graduated and that I am working towards getting my master's. It means everything to them."
Wilson added. "I never thought I would be getting a master's degree, but being in this position and being able to bring this type of accomplishment to my family means everything. Being the first person to obtain a master's degree in my family will be something to cherish."
The meaning of a master's degree to a family is incredible. You can see it in their statements.
It is something to be cherished. It means everything.
Speaking of family, what about the 12th Man? The Aggie Network reaches far and wide. You go anywhere in the world and if you're wearing your Aggie Ring, an Aggie is bound to find you.
"It is a pretty big deal." Jones said "I don't think people really understand the culture unless you become a part of it. Even just getting a degree is amazing. I have the mindset that there are Aggies everywhere, and no matter where I am I can always find somebody. That why I really enjoy it because it's like having family outside of your family."
Dreimane said. "There is no other place like A&M, I have met many amazing people during my time here and I know I will cross my path with many more Aggies no matter where life takes me. Last Christmas, I went to Ireland for couple of days we had off from basketball and met a lady in a Dublin airport with an Aggie Ring on her finger. So yes, it's true. Aggies are everywhere. And being one myself is something I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Johnson said. "It means that I'm apart of family and I know that wherever I am I will be taken care of because that's what Aggies do."
Wilson added. "Being part of the 12th Man and this prestigious university has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. To me it means being a part of a forever family. The Aggie Network and tradition is second to none."
Each of them does and plans to do what Aggies do.
Lead.
Nowhere in the country will you find more ambition than in this group.
Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Selfless Service and Respect. The Core Values of Texas A&M shine through on the court, and will shine through in life for them.
When these five's playing days are done, you'll know where to look. Just look to the top. That's where they will be.
Follow The Aggies
Anna Dreimane - Twitter & Instagram
Ciera Johnson – Twitter & Instagram
N'dea Jones – Twitter & Instagram
Kayla Wells – Twitter & Instagram
Aaliyah Wilson – Twitter & Instagram