Graduation is around the corner: Traditions that make TXST stand out

By Saige Klein

Blog Content Contributor

With the end of the year quickly approaching, graduation is just around the corner. For many seniors here at TXST, this means fun and long lasting traditions that they will never forget.

Allie Campbell, a senior here at TXST who will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business is very excited to take part in the many exciting aspects of graduation after four years of hard work.

“I can’t wait to see how I evolve, I look back on who I was in high school and who I am today, graduating, and there is just a completely different person,” said Campbell.

“I think I’m about to go through this next big change finally not being a student, working in the real world and making money, and I’m just excited to see who I become.”

Like many seniors at TXST, Allie is excited to see what her new professional future holds, but is also sad to let go of the many memories she has made throughout these four years. Many students get attracted and familiar to their college campus, for Allie, the TXST campus is one thing she is not ready to let go of.

“What I’m going to miss most about TXST is the walkability and the greenery,” said Campbell. “This is just such a gorgeous campus that not many other college students get to experience, and having a river just five minutes down the road, honestly just brings a tear to my eyes.”

One of the most notable things about the San Marcos area is the river. With Sewell Park just a short five minute commute from campus, it has become a staple for celebrating graduation.

While it is unknown when this tradition started, the river jump is one of the most exciting traditions for many of the graduates. Sewell is a place that you spend time throughout all four years relaxing, tanning, swimming and making unforgettable memories. Jumping in the river is a symbolic way to end your college journey after the graduation ceremony.

“Without a doubt in my mind, the graduation tradition I’m most excited to take part in is river jump,” said Campbell. “I went swimsuit shopping, it’s a right of passage and I have been thinking about it since my sophomore year.”

Bandera Barter graduated from TXST this last December with a major in Digital Media Innovation and a minor in business. Barter was an active member of KTSW 89.9-FM and loved all the memories he made because of that experience.

“One of my favorite memories was probably working at the radio station because that’s where I met people that I felt like I made connections that were actually gonna last in the future when it came to my career and stuff,” said Barter.

Like many other seniors, Barter was most excited to participate in the river jump tradition and ring ceremony.

“I do like how the river is such a big part of it because I feel like it’s the main staple of San Marcos,” said Barter. “Even though it was December and the weather wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t gonna not jump in the river and it makes the river have more of a connection to TXST and just graduation as a whole.”

While Barter already graduated, just like many other seniors, Campbell is soaking up as much as she can with the little time she has left, reminiscing on the unforgettable memories these four years have brought her.

“Just thinking about how TXST has formed me, knowing that I would be a completely different person if I went anywhere else, knowing that I don’t want to be anywhere else,” said Campbell. “I really love each second more than the last during my senior year.”