Something that I've always been passionate about is campus involvement and throughout my college career, I have been able to get involved with many diverse organizations and clubs at Texas Tech. One of the greatest benefits of being involved with student organizations is getting the opportunity to travel to places you have never gotten to visit before. Here are seven of my favorites!
1. Oklahoma City, OK
Quite recently, I traveled to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with the Texas Tech Court Jesters, the university's official athletic band, to attend the Big XII Women's Basketball tournament and cheer on the Lady Raider Basketball team. While it may not be the most extravagant destination, it was definitely cool! My favorite memory is getting to explore Bricktown. Bricktown was like a mini Riverwalk that reminded me of the real one that I grew up visiting in San Antonio, TX.
2. Stillwater, OK
I traveled to Stillwater, OK back in 2014 on my first ever trip with the Goin' Band from Raiderland for the Tech vs. OSU football game. This being my first trip with the Goin' Band, I have such fond memories of getting to see another major school of the Big XII conference and getting to experience what game day was like at another major university.
3. Norman, OK
Last Oklahoma one— I promise! Also known as enemy territory, I traveled to Norman the semester after my trip to Sweetwater to attend the North American Saxophone Alliance regional conference at the University of Oklahoma. I know this may be frowned upon— and my loyalty still lies with the most beautiful campus in the world, Texas Tech University— but this school was absolutely gorgeous. The conference was pretty cool too, but the highlight of this trip was definitely the classic, regal architecture featured at OU.
4. Birmingham, AL
This trip is one of the more recent ones. I traveled to Birmingham in December with the Goin' Band to support the Texas Tech football team as they competed in the Birmingham Bowl. Again, maybe not the coolest destination, but who doesn't love 16-hour bus rides on Christmas Eve with 400 of your best friends? Aside from the treacherous trek, Birmingham was actually pretty cool! Some friends and I got to explore this really trendy area of downtown Birmingham, and we even made some new friends!
5. Angel Fire, NM
I have actually made the trip to Angel Fire several times with my fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi and sister sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. Every spring, the two organizations founded on scholarship, music,
6. Boulder, CO
This is easily one of my favorite destinations to travel to. I had the opportunity to travel to Boulder in the spring of 2016 with the Texas Tech Symphonic Band. Boulder was the final stop on our tour of Colorado, which also consisted of stops in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. In Boulder, we attended the College Band Director's National Association Regional Conference hosted at Colorado University-Boulder. While in Boulder, we got to explore the beautiful campus of Colorado University and the trendy area known as Pearl Street.
7. Boston, MA
This was definitely the coolest trip I have been on in my college career and one of my new favorite cities. I traveled to Boston last month with the Tech Court Jesters to attend the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament with the Texas Tech basketball team. I immediately fell in love with the history that this city oozes with. A trip to Boston is kind of like a trip to the past that also gives you a glimpse into the future with its cutting-edge style. That and the food anywhere you go is fantastic.
Without campus involvement, I probably would have never received these opportunities. I got to see places I've never seen before and got to make some pretty incredible memories along the way. Oh, and another benefit about traveling with these organizations: per diem. Getting free money to spend in these really cool places? Sign me up! I can't wait to see where else I'll go!
