I was born right here in Austin, Texas to two loving parents. Throughout my life, two passions have taken me to where I am today: music and academics.

My love for music started very early. I sung in elementary school plays and church musicals. In middle school I picked up the saxophone and was awesome (I suffer from a lack of modesty on occasions *smile*). In high school I was the ultimate band nerd, and throughout I have fostered a love for many varieties of music. The most recent addition to my musical library, is my grandfathers guitar. I recently started plucking a few notes in hopes of strumming some tunes for my new best friends this coming summer.

Despite my passion for great music, I am even moreso an academic. I am a Mechanical Engineering senior that is also President of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society. I have no problems making enginerd jokes in any atmosphere and I do in fact own a pocket protector. If you catch me with some free time I am more than likely peeking my head into a book on something I don't know much about. It will probably be art or human psychology related.

I am really looking forward to the coming summer. I love to travel and see new things. I love to witness nature in its purest forms. I anticipate this to be a life-changing experience complete with hunger induced visions and the obligatory freezing lake swim.

My decision to join this year's Texas 4000 team started on April 17 when a long time classmate and friend, Danny Gladney, lost his life-long struggle with brain cancer. He was truly an inspirational person. Throughout the time I knew him, I never heard a him say a negative word about anything or anyone. He was an optimist that had the kind of character I strive for daily.

Fast forward to my scuba class this fall, a fellow rider, Tony Petz stood up and gave a plug for this years ride. I was somehow compelled to attend one of the information sessions he mentioned, and there I was inspired and amazed at the impressive people and stories I heard. Whether it was the Danny's spirit or what I had heard, on the way out the door I knew it was something that I was meant to do.

My ride is dedicated to his life-long battle and his persevering spirit. It is what gets me up to train, and keeps me focused on spreading a spirit of charity.

Now I have the opportunity to demonstrate the impact that Danny had on my life. Now I have the opportunity to show what I am made of and fight for someone else. Now I am a rider in the 2006 Texas 4000 for Cancer. Alaska here I come!