About Me

Profile

About: Hello everyone! My name is Holly and I am a third generation longhorn here at the University of Texas (hook ‘em!). Growing up here in Austin, Texas I was surrounded by three of the most adventurous, thoughtful, and loving older brothers, and two incredibly giving and selfless parents who have inspired me in so, so many ways. My family members were the ones who first helped to develop my love for the outdoors, whether it was spending my summers hiking in Colorado, playing spontaneous games of pickup soccer, or riding bikes in our hilly neighborhood until sunset. These memories serve as a reminder for me to always hold onto that childlike sense of adventure in everything that I do.

Though apprehensive at first, coming to UT has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! I have found friendships in so many different places--people in volunteer organizations, the lovely individuals in my dorm, the driven students in my classes, and now my teammates in Texas 4000. These are the relationships that I will hold onto throughout my journey in T4K and the fight to end cancer.

Why I Ride

Texas 4000 exemplifies so much of what I am passionate about—health promotion and education, volunteerism, fitness, leadership, travel, and the big one: the fight to cure cancer. I cannot think of a more valuable way to spend my time for next 18 months than raising awareness for cancer research, volunteering in my community, biking across North America, and most importantly, talking about cancer. I have many reasons for doing this. I am doing this for those who know someone dear to them who has cancer and those fighting cancer themselves. I am doing this for those close to me who I never want to hear the words, “you have cancer.” I am doing this for the nurses committing their lives to caring for cancer patients.

I am doing this for my wonderful Aunt, Nancy Bucknall, who is a breast cancer survivor. She is unbelievably kind, intelligent, confident, and loving, and I wish that we lived in the same state so that I could be around this truly fantastic woman more often (who also has the happiest, warmest, most joyous laugh ever!). Thanks for being the best!

I am doing this for my grandparents, Perry and Ann McPherson, both who have personally experienced cancer. My Granny has been cancer free for 30+ years (WOW!!) and is the most definitely the sweetest, kindest woman I have ever known. When I was much younger she would drive 5 hours from East Texas almost every month to help my parents raise four young kids (always with VHS’s as gifts, of course). These were the weekends that I looked forward to the most as a child. I also loved visiting their house, for my Granddaddy has always had the BEST sense of humor, and has consistently earned the award for “tightest, most love-filled hugs ever given.” These individuals truly know how to love.

Lastly, I am doing this for my teammates and all of the reasons that they are riding, as well as the members of the UT and Austin communities. You all are not only the reason that I ride, but the reason that I wake up every day with a smile on my face.