BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION- The Texas A&M equestrian team claimed three individual awards, two team awards and an academic honor at the Legacy Awards.
The Distinguished Letterman Award- Alexis Ortiz
Ortiz is the current SAAC President, served as the Vice President of Selfless Service last spring and is an active member of the 12th Man Foundation's Collegiate Council, Athletics Council, Student Senate and the MSC Board of Directors, while working as an Amplify U and Mays Business School intern. In her role as the SAAC President, she leads the student-athlete organization by planning monthly meetings with nearly 30 student-athlete representatives. Ortiz also leads six vice presidents to provide assistance and insight into their work and responsibilities. As the VP of Selfless Services, she communicates with outside organizations and companies to create volunteer opportunities for student-athletes and increased student-athlete volunteer participation by 26% in 2023. Along with her volunteer opportunities, she earned multiple academic honors including NCEA Honor Roll, AD Honor Roll Fall and Dean's Honor Roll Spring.
The Aggie Commitment Breaking Barriers Award- F.A.C.E. Mental Health - Devan Thomas, Kendall Austin, Maeve O'Donovan, Avery DeYoung, Mattie Gustin (all Equestrian)
F.A.C.E. Mental Health was involved in numerous outreach activities within the community, athletics and the university in order to promote mental health and help diminish the stigma regarding mental health services. The organization acts as a student-led peer support group for each other. They meet once a month and these meetings are an opportunity for student-athletes to support each other. All student-athletes are invited to attend these monthly meeting. F.A.C.E. hosted one panel this year in the Spring, which fell on mental health awareness week.
Selfless Service Award
Individual-Rylee Shufelt
Team- Equestrian
Shufelt serves as the Vice President of Selfless Service for the student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). During her time with the group, she has completed over 88 hours of service across 35 projects, including AggiesCAN, REVved up to Read, Aggieland Humane Society, and Baylor Scott and White NICU.
Coach Tana McKay's equestrian team completed well over 700 service for an average of 15 hours of service hours per student-athlete. The Aggies' service hours impacted 28 organizations, including REVved Up to Read (27 times throughout the year), The Big Event, BCS Together, AggiesCAN and Brazos Valley Food Bank.
Student-Athlete Engagement Award- Millie Landon
Landon served as the W(E)3 Executive Officer during the 2023-24 year. W(E)3 (We cubed) is a group that encourages, equips, empowers, and unifies female student-athletes at Texas A&M through mentorship and professional development. Landon served a strong role in helping to host meetings and planning events to aid in the personal and professional development of female student-athletes. She has completed the Brand U Professional Development Program and has consistently attended career development events, as well as the Horizon Performance Emerging Leaders Course.
All-Aggie Academic Team
How to Follow
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