Brandi Reyes

As secretary of the University of Houston-Victoria Student Senate, Brandi Reyes and other Senate members have spent countless hours this school year rewriting the organization�s bylaws, a necessity with the addition of freshman and sophomore classes in the fall.

�The old bylaws wouldn�t accommodate us when we expand, so we�re adding more executive positions,� she said. �That way, we can have more members and increase involvement.�

Reyes joined the Senate to become more involved herself. She wanted an executive position that would give her leadership experience.

�I basically fell into the position of secretary because it was the only one available, but it�s perfect for me,� she said. �I wanted to be able to experience everything the Senate had to offer, and I get all of that as the secretary.�

She also got to experience Washington, D.C., when the Senate attended a leadership conference in September and plenty of great activities like a Meet the Leaders event that brought together students and community leaders.

�It�s great, and I�m having a blast,� she said. �There are so many friends I�ve met who I wouldn�t have known if it weren�t for the Senate. The way I look at it is that you only go to college once, so you need to make the most of it.�

But making the most of it also means finding the time. Reyes is a full-time mom and student teacher at Vickers Elementary School in Victoria, where she lives. She also teaches Sunday school at Parkway Church and has mentored several students. She is a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies major, certifying in elementary school education, who will graduate in May. She hopes to teach in Victoria where her two children attend school.

�I want to teach,� she said. �I love to teach. Student teaching has confirmed that this is what I want to do with my life. This is my passion. I�m ready for my own class and my own students.�

Reyes also is in Gamma Beta Phi honor society and the National Scholars Honors Society.

�I have a full-time job being married and a mother,� she said. �It�s also a full-time job student teaching and serving in the Student Senate, so I have to stay very organized, stay on top of my schedule and plan things very far ahead. That�s been the most challenging part of the Senate � just finding the time do all the events because we really do a lot for the community � but I wouldn�t have it any other way.�

The UHV Outstanding Student is an online feature highlighting the exceptional students who attend the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a student, contact UHV Communications Manager Paula Cobler  or call 361-570-4350.