Profile

About: My name is Geena May and I am a second year student from Vienna, Virginia. Coming to UT in the fall of 2014 was the first time that I have lived anywhere but Virginia. While this has been a huge adjustment for me, I am already a diehard Longhorn. I am majoring in mechanical engineering and am also seeking a pre-health certificate so I can continue onto medical school after I graduate from UT. I have many interests including sports, science and art. In high school I was a pole vaulter and a field hockey player; however, I have picked up ultimate Frisbee and handball as I entered into college. I have a passion for photography and love to take landscape and macro photos. I look forward to taking some amazing pictures during my ride to Alaska! I also have a strong knack for making things and hope to develop this skill as I progress in mechanical engineering.

What I am looking forward to most in Texas 4000 is traveling across the continent, opening my eyes to new experiences while opening other people’s eyes to knowledge about cancer and spreading hope for the future!

Why I Ride

I ride for many people; so many that I couldn't list them all here. I physically ride for my cousin Richard Sperling, who passed away a few years ago after a battle with lung cancer. Richard was an avid biker and I always hoped to be able to bike with as much endurance and passion as him one day. Richard was also a genuinely kind person and what I miss most about him is our brunches in Georgetown.

In addition to Richard, I ride for Toss Cline. Mr. Cline is the sole reason that I am studying mechanical engineering at UT Austin. He was not only my engineering teacher and robotics club sponsor in high school, but he was a mentor and a huge motivator. He supported my engineering efforts even when I failed, and was never hesitant to go the extra mile to make sure that I could bring my imagination to life. Unfortunately, Mr. Cline left this world after a long, hard battle with colon cancer in the spring of my senior year of high school. I could not think of any better way to continue his enthusiasm about engineering then by studying engineering so I can inspire young people just like he did.

Lastly, I ride for my two grandmothers; Margret Schreiber and Julia May. My mom’s mother, Marge passed away when I was two of ovarian cancer. I do not have many memories with her except the stories that my mom tells. She is constantly reminding me of the compassion and heart that my grandma had. My dad’s mom, who goes by Judy, passed away from her second battle against breast cancer in March of 2015. The first time she was diagnosed, I was too young to realize how serious it was, but I am eternally grateful of how strong she fought. Because of her strong will power, I was able to make so many more memories with her over the years and have begun to understand all of the saint-like qualities that she truly embodied. Although her loss has had a huge impact on our family, she will continue to live on through her grandchildren and even her great grandchildren who loved her so dearly.

It is hard to find someone who has never been affected by cancer in some way or another. I ride for everyone who has ever been affected by cancer, whether first hand or not, in hopes that someday, no one will have to experience the impact that cancer has had on so many lives around the world.

To learn more about why I ride and to keep up with my journey, please visit my website:
http://geenamay.wix.com/t4kgeenamay