The earliest alumni organizations at Texas A&M began the tradition of Aggie Muster, reading aloud a list of names at their annual June meetings to honor former students who had died in the preceding year. Each year, Muster now takes place April 21 on the main campus in College Station, and in over 300 locations around the world.
It is said that during World War I, Aggies gathered on April 21 in the trenches and towns of France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The Association of Former Students encouraged all A&M Clubs to hold April 21 meetings and parties, that eventually spread around the country and abroad in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, the ceremony brings together more Aggies worldwide on one occasion than any other event.
The Polk County A&M Club held a roll call to honor Aggies whom death has taken in a meeting Monday. A history of the Aggie Band was recounted by three former members, and Polk County high school seniors planning to enroll at Texas A&M were introduced to an audience of around 100.
The students from Livingston High include Chesni Benningfield, Keira Flournoy, Yuridia Hernandez Flores, Jerren James, Ashlynn Moore, Carson Pipes, Jenna Snook and Cylas Wood. Future Aggies from Big Sandy High are Briana Battise and Jaycie Blankenbaker. Leggett’s Gavin Nichols will attend the university, as will Onalaska’s Farrah Davis, Riley Taylor and Samantha Valdez.
