A determined single mother and her fiercely loyal daughter were named West Texas A&M University’s Family of the Year during weekend celebrations.

Isabella Van Stavern, a freshman wildlife biology major from Canyon, and her mother, Ashley Bell, an interior designer at Officewise in Amarillo, were honored during a special brunch as part of WT Family Weekend, which ran Oct. 27 to 29.

“What stood out in Isabella’s nomination was the love and appreciation she had for Ashley as a single mother and her understanding of the struggles that come with being a single mother,” said Amanda Lawson, senior director of orientation and academic success for WT. “Isabella also wrote convincingly about how supportive and encouraging her mom has been about her attending WT.”

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WT Choral Program is still looking for sponsors for their trips! The WT Chorale has been given the wonderful opportunity to preform at the 2024 Texas Music Educators Association in February. The Chorale Program also will be joining the WT Symphony Orchestra in Costa Rica In May of 2024. Any contributions will help get these wonderful students to these amazing opportunities! Sponsors will receive public recognition for their contribution and free items from our fundraiser(s).

If you are interested in contributing please email Dr. Pullen at spullen@wtamu.edu for more details.

 Amarillo radio luminaries will take part in a panel discussion on the ways female musicians have shaped culture through music.

“Super Women: A Panel on Women in Music” will begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex on WT’s Canyon campus.

Presented by the WT Writing Center, the discussion is free and open to the public.

Panelists will include Johnny Black, afternoon DJ and content director at 100.9 The Eagle; Jenny Inzerillo, music director and host for High Plains Public Radio; Amy Hart, FM90 program director; and Dr. Brian Ingrassia, WT associate professor of history.

To read more click here.

• The WT Brass Choir will send audience members soaring to a Mediterranean paradise at its fall concert. The ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on the WT campus.
• The WT Jazz Bands will offer a night of high-energy performances at its Nov. 9 concert. The full-sized big bands will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus.
• The WT Percussion Ensemble will perform a piece by a Canyon composer Nov. 7 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on the WT campus in Canyon.

Admission is free for the following concerts.

To learn more click here.