Meangirl

Texas Fighting Aggie class of 25, Taylor is a Molecular and Cell Biology major hopes to start a masters degree program in Genetic Counseling in the fall. She loves spending time with her Siamese cat, Mabel, who is always waiting for her to come home. She is from Pennsylvania and came to A&M to be close to extended family in Houston. She recently sprained her ankle and can not go to the Rec Dance class she went to for the past two years.

Taylor got involved in Treehouse through her friend Ashlyn who also was seeking a place to attend for faith and fellowship. “Ashlyn told me she knew of people that liked Treehouse, and I knew those people. They went to the church we went to, and they also felt hurt by that gathering, “ Taylor remembered. “I went to church in High School and then the one here at A&M for the first 2 years and the first year was great and then it got weird. So we went to the MSC Open house to say high and meet Pastor Jerry knowing we were coming that night to the Treehouse gathering but felt more comfortable meeting in MSC.”

“I needed a place that would let me attend and was for us. Not a place where we needed to do more stuff to keep the group going.” Taylor shared, “At Treehouse there was no mass chaos or drama. Treehouse is very straight forward. We talk about God without the drama and no strings attached or requirements to do. And this makes people want to be involved more.” Taylor remembered the other group she was involved in was forcing or manipulating those involved to be in leadership or keep the group going.

Taylor came back for the discussions. “I liked the theological discussion. The breaking down of texts and stories.” Taylor affirmed, “I was learning a lot and becoming interested again in religion and how I felt and thought about it. It is a break from the every day struggle and stress of being a college student with people who are my friends and cheering each other on in life.” Treehouse was a place to let go of daily struggles and know you are loved and accepted and open to asking and growing.

“I was also looking for a place that is not one dimensional,” declared Taylor. “You can’t be gay, don’t have premarital sex, don’t do these sins. I wanted away from the High School Mean girl vibe.” Treehouse was a place that let Taylor be her and grow in her faith. It is a place where she is accepted and not expected to be or do anything to be a part. “Treehouse is people who care about my life and follow up with me about what is happening.”

Place

A current class of 26 Bearkat and class of 23 Buccaneer, Carina is now a Disney College Program (DCP)participant. She went to Tokyo Disney and Disneyland and had never been to Disney World until after starting the DCP. She loves swimming and spending time with friends and family. She is also a certified Lifeguard Instructor and was the city of Bryan Water Safety Coordinator, meaning she was over the swimming instructors for the city of Bryan. She is not sure what she wants to be when she grows up but has many options open to her.

Carina is the daughter of Pastor Jerry and has always been involved in church and faith communities. She has participated in communities when sometimes she might not have felt the call to be there. “I went because my dad was the pastor,” Carina said about Treehouse, “but the people were cool, so I stayed.” Carina commented, “I wasn’t looking for anything from Treehouse, I went because my dad was the pastor.” She was trying to keep the family happy but in doing that she found a place to belong. “Everyone at Treehouse is so supportive in helping with life decisions and just being friends,” Carina articulated, “the people there made me feel like I had a place when I wasn’t sure what my place was.”

Treehouse is a place she belongs, not because she is the pastor’s kid, but because she is accepted as she is. “I will miss being with my Treehouse friends, to hear about their daily goings on, and being involved with them,” Carina expressed as she will be at Disney this semester, “but my Treehouse friends are friends I will have forever.”