A 7th generation Texan, I am a Geological Sciences junior at the University of Texas at Austin. Born and raised in the Houston area by an amazing single working mother, I had childhood dreams of going into the field of automotive collision testing; however after a series of events I found a new love for studying the earth. I have relied on a bicycle as my sole mode of transportation for the past 2 years, and I never feel as free as I do while riding my bike. Austin is hands down the best place I've ever had the pleasure of living, and I believe it to have great geography to train for the ride. I love being outdoors, and enjoy hiking, swimming, camping, and more when I am. I want to collect a variety of bikes throughout my life, and have started my collection with 2 of them so far. I feel that it is my mission in life to advocate health, peace and joy with whomever I meet, and see the Texas 4000 as a significant contribution to that end.

Cancer is, in my opinion, an affliction which our society is now and has been for some time well equipped to overcome. We have seen in decades past that as people have contributed more money and attention to it, death rates in nearly all sites of cancer have declined. Being a native-Texan, it's disturbing to see that Texas currently ranks 5th in the nation for cancer-related deaths. That's why I'm proud to contribute to such an inspirational cause as the Texas 4000, because it not only contributes financially to the cause for eliminating the threat of cancer from our lives, but also challenges society to step up their amount of concern for obtaining a cure. My worst memories in life include holding my grandmother's dying hand as she heaved for her last few breaths and looked up at my mother with two words, - Stop SMOKING! - and staring into my uncle's glassy blank eyes as cancer consumed his brain. I don't want to see more loved ones of myself or others lost in vain. I'm hoping to see the TK4 ride in 2007 be the biggest one yet. I want to tell everyone about what we're doing, and gain the momentum we need to make it to Alaska! This is an experience of a lifetime that I know I'll never forget, but I'll be truly satisfied if I can make people around me remember the ride and what it stands for as well.