COLLEGE STATION, TX — April is a month full of traditions at Texas A&M University, but due to the coronavirus, some of those traditions have been altered or canceled altogether.
As home of the 12th man, Texas A&M Aggies pride themselves on their traditions - some you don’t quite understand unless you are an Aggie.
“Its just one of those things that whenever you first start at A&M you see people going like this with the whoop and you see their ring,” explains Rachel Mayor Texas A&M's class of 2014.
The Aggie ring is a symbol of academic achievement, but to Aggies like Mayor it symbolizes so much more.
"It's just this community this whole feeling that we’re all in this together and we all went through all of those hours; we just have that bond," says Mayor. "Once you see that ring somewhere you know right away that that person can be trusted, that persons a good person.“
Aggie Ring Day was scheduled to be held April 17 and 18, but instead of the usual large gatherings on campus, students will be receiving their Aggie rings in mail.
“So what we are preparing to do is to ship 6500 Aggie rings directly to the recipients," explains Kathryn Greenwade, the Association of Former Students VP of Communications &HR. "We will begin that shipping process just as soon as we are able to return to our workplace."
Though April’s 'Aggie Ring Day' tends to be the largest, some students will receive their Aggie rings during later celebrations which is when Rachel Mayor received hers.
"You’re definitely able to celebrate anytime,” she explains.
Aggie ring day isn’t the only A&M April tradition being altered because of COVID-19. Aggie Muster takes place every April 21, but this year it'll be completely digital.
"One of the most important elements of all of this was recognizing and making sure that the Muster tradition is not canceled," explains Aggie Muster Committee Chair Kaley Markos. "The in person gathering that we typically have on the 21st and that we are familiar that is what has been altered.”
Even with the format changes, Markos encourages Aggies to come together more than ever for this years Muster, even though they won't be shoulder to shoulder.
"I hope years from now when people look back on this ceremony the message they would have gotten from this ceremony is one of resilience and perpetuity and hope,” she said.
To attend this years Aggie Muster you can visit musterlive.aggienetwork.com on April 21.