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Kaywin McCall ’22

January 25, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Bryan, Texas

Major: Kinesiology

Outfit: Company E-2

Kaywin McCall ‘22 is a member of Company E-2, where she also serves as a Training Officer.

On the Quad, Kaywin is currently the team captain of the Corps Women’s Basketball team. She is also a member of the OR Simpson Honor Society and serves as a Platoon Leader in Alpha Company for Texas A&M’s Army ROTC. Last year, Kaywin was named the “Strongest Female Cadet in the Corps,” posting the highest squat weight, bench weight, and performing the most pull-ups.

Off the Quad, Kaywin is a pool manager for the City of Bryan and trains new lifeguards during the summer while also running weekly in-service training sessions. Kaywin also coaches the middle school girls basketball team at Brazos Christian, where her players are coming up on an undefeated season. Kaywin enjoys working out at Crossfit Obey in Bryan, which is a Christian based CrossFit gym.

“The Corps has helped me grow in my leadership abilities, which I have used in Army ROTC officer training this past summer. I have grown my personal Aggie network in ways I never thought possible,” Kaywin said.

After graduation, Kaywin plans to commission into the Army National Guard, while her soon-to-be husband, Anthony Niemiec, plans to commission into the Army as an Armor Officer. Kaywin also plans to go to TEEX Academy for firefighting and paramedic studies, where she later hopes to work in emergency medicine.

View the video below to learn more about Kaywin’s work with Brazos Christian and her journey with the Corps of Cadets.

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program Allows Cadets To Pursue Academic And Professional Goals

January 25, 2022 by rnelson

A unique scholarship opportunity for the Corps of Cadets is the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program, or TASSP for short. Created in 2009 by the 81st Texas Legislature, this program provides students with a huge incentive to join one of our nation’s service branches. Currently, over 250 cadets at Texas A&M receive this scholarship.

The TASSP scholarship is awarded based on academic and personal achievement. Any resident of Texas that has been accepted into or is currently attending a Texas university is eligible to receive this scholarship. A commitment to serve in the United States military is required to earn and continue receiving this scholarship, which is renewable for up to four years.

You must be nominated by the Texas Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, a state senator, or a state representative. Students can be a member of any class year, and do not need to be a ROTC scholarship recipient to apply. If recipients choose not to serve upon graduation, the scholarship is then converted to a loan that will need to be repaid.

“The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program is for college students who are looking to join the military after graduation. It is fully funded by the state of Texas, and you can receive up to $10,000 a year depending on the annual state budget,” Kyle Nelson, a sophomore recipient of the TASSP scholarship, said.

In addition to providing students with up to $10,000 per year in funds, this scholarship can also be stacked onto a student’s existing ROTC scholarships.

“The TASSP scholarship has been a great help in that it covers almost everything that my Army ROTC scholarship does not. You can choose to spend it on either tuition and fees or on housing and meal plans, so it is very flexible,” Nelson said.

During the 2021 academic year, a majority of the TASSP scholarship’s funding went to members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Historically, Aggies make up the largest percentage of TASSP recipients.

Unfortunately, many representatives are left without students to nominate for the scholarship, and thousands of dollars go unawarded at the end of the nomination period.

“The application process is pretty simple. In order to apply for the scholarship, you can reach out to any of the state representatives and senators. All you need is a cover letter and a professional resume. My advice would be to apply with every single representative and senator. There is no limit to how many representatives you apply to and you aren’t restricted to your specific local legislator,” he said of the nomination process.

The TASSP scholarship provides an amazing opportunity for recipients to kick off their career in the armed forces, as additional educational funding opens the door for more professional development opportunities. Financial incentives aside, the requirements to maintain a TASSP award offer both financial and academic benefits.

First Lieutenant Carl Ivey, a graduate of Texas A&M and a former TASSP scholarship recipient, spoke of the ways in which the TASSP scholarship set him up for success.

“The TASSP allowed me to focus on my academics and not worry about financial issues. The TASSP also contained academic requirements that helped me stay disciplined and academically focused to keep my scholarship. The TASSP requires that you complete 4 years of ROTC courses regardless of your decision to pay back the loan or join the armed forces. Taking the courses and participating in the ROTC leadership labs allowed me to get ample training and leadership experience before commissioning on top of the training I received from the Corps of Cadets.”

For cadets not awarded the scholarship after their initial application, Ivey encourages them to continue to apply each time the opportunity becomes available.

“Keep applying. The first time I applied for a TASSP I did not receive it. I applied two more times and ultimately received a scholarship from one of our state senators. The TASSP also allows for repayment as a loan, so if you are hesitant to join the Federal Armed Forces, you can pay back the loan, or serve as a commissioned officer in the Texas State Guard, which is our state defense force,” Ivey said.

The TASSP scholarship is only one of the scholarship opportunities that is available to those that are considering military service. Learn more about the TASSP and its requirements by visiting the university’s website here.

Story by: Robin Nelson ’22

Carter Gansky ’22

January 19, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Major: Kinesiology Motor Behavior

Outfit: Squadron 5

Carter Gansky ’22 is the current Career Readiness and Athletics Officer for Squadron 5. Additionally, Carter serves the Corps as a member of the O.R. Simpson Honor Society, where he is a tutor.

Off the Quad, Carter is the president of the Physical Therapy Society on campus. In this role, Carter leads weekly meetings for 100 undergraduate Pre-Physical Training students. Carter enjoys a variety of activities in his free time including reading, bodybuilding, mentoring, hiking, and spending time with his friends and family.

“I believe that to change the world you must first start with making the individual competent. You must first do the ‘small’ things correctly; making a proper rack, shining your brass, and having a fresh shave. These things quickly evolve into efficiently running organizations and leading communities. The Corps of Cadets is one of the most powerful tools to improve society that I have encountered, and I am thankful that I was able to spend my time at Texas A&M University on the Quad,” Carter said of his time in the Corps of Cadets.

Upon graduating from Texas A&M in the spring of 2022, Carter plans to enter a three-year Doctorate of Physical Therapy program in Texas. Following his completion of the program, Carter plans to open his own private orthopedic sports medicine clinic. Carter hopes that he will be able to assist individuals in overcoming their orthopedic injuries so they can regain the freedom to pursue their fitness and life goals.

Haylee Konecny ’22

December 8, 2021 by rnelson

Hometown: Weslaco, Texas

Major: Chemical & Biomedical Engineering

Outfit: Squadron 5 / Company P-2

Haylee Konecny ‘22 is currently the Third Regiment Commander, and a member of the Ross Volunteer Company.

Previously, Haylee was the first female guidon bearer for Company P-2. Prior to being named the Third Regiment Commander, Haylee was the major unit’s Sergeant Major. Along with her Corps activities, Haylee has managed to achieve an impressive 3.74 overall GPA.

Haylee is involved in a number of activities and organizations, including Catholics On The Quad. She is also a member of the Saint Mary’s Catholic Center’s choir.

“My favorite part about the Corps is the relationships I’ve formed and the counsel I’ve been
gifted as a result. Many cadets have guided me to where I am now, and I can only hope to be that same positive influence to those that come after me,” Haylee said of her experience in the Corps.

Upon her graduation from Texas A&M in December of 2022, Haylee plans to work in research and development in the medical field.

Nolan Moore ’22

December 1, 2021 by rnelson

Hometown: Orange, Texas

Major: Communication Studies with a minor in Entrepreneurship

Outfit: A-Company

Nolan Moore ‘22 is a currently a member of Corps Staff, where he serves as the Career Readiness Officer. Previously, Nolan was a member of A-Company in The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.

“I lead 23 people directly and provide multiple resources, including this year’s new CR website, for cadets to use through their journey in the Corps and Texas A&M. I work closely with the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership, where we help cadets increase their skills in 12 different competencies. I have also interned at the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership as their career readiness intern,” he said.

Off the Quad, Nolan participates in the Sales Club as well as Aggie Network Student Ambassadors. Last spring, Nolan was elected as one of The Class of 2022’s Class Agents. In this position, he serves as a liaison between The Association of Former Students and the Class of 2022. This year, Nolan also volunteered as the Performance Coordinator for the 2021 Dash for Downs Syndrome that was held at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater on October 3rd, 2021.

“The Corps has truly helped me become a well-rounded person. I am thankful for the people I have met and worked with. Marching on Kyle Field on Saturdays and being able to participate in all of the Corps traditions have truly been a huge blessing. I had no clue how much the Corps would develop and push me, and I am truly grateful I bought into the program and let it shape me to be the man I am today,” he says.

Upon his graduation in December of 2022, Nolan plans to work for Dell Technologies in Austin as a Technology Inside Salesman. Nolan hopes to one day return to College Station, where he would like to open his own business.