Coordinator: Gladys
Hello! My name is Gladys Lara, and I'm a bilingual elementary education major at Sam Houston State University. I love long walks in my funky socks, giraffes, and I absolutely love strawberries. But, most importantly, I am the Coordinator for BKA19! Our leadership team is working so hard to make your experience unforgettable. Awakening is such a great opportunity to meet new people and believe me when I say you won't regret going! Bottom line, I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! Oh and also, yes I am glad, in case you were wondering.
Hello! My name is Gladys Lara, and I'm a bilingual elementary education major at Sam Houston State University. I love long walks in my funky socks, giraffes, and I absolutely love strawberries. But, most importantly, I am the Coordinator for BKA19! Our leadership team is working so hard to make your experience unforgettable. Awakening is such a great opportunity to meet new people and believe me when I say you won't regret going! Bottom line, I'm so excited and I just can't hide it! Oh and also, yes I am glad, in case you were wondering.
Rector: Lidia
Hey guys, I’m your Rector for BKA 19! My name is Lidia Gutierrez and I am a proud Ravenclaw. I am a senior and studying Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations & Advertising. I love the Catholic Student Center, and I’ve been here since 2014. I love BKA & everything it stands for. I honestly can’t wait to meet all of you and helping everyone through this journey. Like any local Huntsvillian – I love to go to Cane’s and go to my apartment watching either La La Land, Daria, Easy A, or Pitch Perfect. I even go to Hulu when I’m feeling a little more rebellious, and binge watch either The Mindy Project, Harlots, and Awkward. I almost forgot to mention, I have the most amazing cat in the world named Tiger. She is my pride and joy and is the very reason why I always want to go home. I’m a chatty, Mexican and Chinese food loving, Target shopper, Brisk drinker, and owl loving kind of girl.I can't wait to meet all of you!
Rector: Lidia
Hey guys, I’m your Rector for BKA 19! My name is Lidia Gutierrez and I am a proud Ravenclaw. I am a senior and studying Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations & Advertising. I love the Catholic Student Center, and I’ve been here since 2014. I love BKA & everything it stands for. I honestly can’t wait to meet all of you and helping everyone through this journey. Like any local Huntsvillian – I love to go to Cane’s and go to my apartment watching either La La Land, Daria, Easy A, or Pitch Perfect. I even go to Hulu when I’m feeling a little more rebellious, and binge watch either The Mindy Project, Harlots, and Awkward. I almost forgot to mention, I have the most amazing cat in the world named Tiger. She is my pride and joy and is the very reason why I always want to go home. I’m a chatty, Mexican and Chinese food loving, Target shopper, Brisk drinker, and owl loving kind of girl.I can't wait to meet all of you!
Table Head: Rosa
My name is Rosa Lopez! I am table staff head for BKA19, I am so happy to be working with such an amazing leadership team that is trying to make awakening the best experience for the retreaters! I am a senior with a mass communication major and I'm so glad that I get to be on leadership my last semester here at Sam! I love the friendships that awakening creates and the community that stands with you even after the retreat is over!
CMT Head: Liz
Hey guys, I am Liz your CMT Head for BKA 19! I am a Criminal Justice and Psychology Major here at Sam Houston State University. I was awakened at BKA 17, and excited to be working with our amazing leadership to give you a beautiful experience. I was able to meet a great group of people through the CSC. Like my House I can be very creative and resourceful, which is probably how I needed up as your President for the CSC. Like the Sorting Hat said, “Perhaps in Slytherin, you’ll make your real friends, those cunning folks use any means, to achieve their ends.” My favorite part of BKA are the memories I have taken away after my own experience being awakened, as well as watching others be awakened. It is my hope that I can help make this experience for all of you as wonderful as it was for me.
Hey guys, I am Liz your CMT Head for BKA 19! I am a Criminal Justice and Psychology Major here at Sam Houston State University. I was awakened at BKA 17, and excited to be working with our amazing leadership to give you a beautiful experience. I was able to meet a great group of people through the CSC. Like my House I can be very creative and resourceful, which is probably how I needed up as your President for the CSC. Like the Sorting Hat said, “Perhaps in Slytherin, you’ll make your real friends, those cunning folks use any means, to achieve their ends.” My favorite part of BKA are the memories I have taken away after my own experience being awakened, as well as watching others be awakened. It is my hope that I can help make this experience for all of you as wonderful as it was for me.
CMT Co-Head: Damien
Gopher Head: Victoria
Hey! My name is Victoria Ruffino and I am a 19-year-old sophomore here at SHSU. At the start of my freshman year, I was pretty lonely. All I would do in a day was go to class, do my assignments, then go to bed. I was beginning to question if college was really what God had in His plans for me. However, one day I was walking around campus and saw a sign - literally. It read “Catholic Student Center” and had a phone number at the bottom. I got back to my dorm, called the number, and decided to walk on over later that night. Long story short, I found out about BKA18 and ended up going. Finding the CSC and attending an awakening were two of THE BEST things that I have ever done. I am so beyond honored for having been selected to be the gopher head for BKA19 and I can’t wait for everyone to experience what this retreat has to offer!
Hey! My name is Victoria Ruffino and I am a 19-year-old sophomore here at SHSU. At the start of my freshman year, I was pretty lonely. All I would do in a day was go to class, do my assignments, then go to bed. I was beginning to question if college was really what God had in His plans for me. However, one day I was walking around campus and saw a sign - literally. It read “Catholic Student Center” and had a phone number at the bottom. I got back to my dorm, called the number, and decided to walk on over later that night. Long story short, I found out about BKA18 and ended up going. Finding the CSC and attending an awakening were two of THE BEST things that I have ever done. I am so beyond honored for having been selected to be the gopher head for BKA19 and I can’t wait for everyone to experience what this retreat has to offer!
Music Head: Chris
Hello my name is Christian Ponce although you may know me by my many names either Meme guy, Music guy, Slytherin guy,Awakened at Bayou 26 guy, or really handsome guy, the list is endless. I have many passions which I love pursuing such as being an amazing music player/teacher, hanging out with friends, gaming, long romantic walks on the beach, and also an undying love and passion for our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing in this world that makes me happier than getting to praise God through music. In those moments I feel out of this world with my soul on fire as I stop thinking and let God do all the work. In all my years I've learned that the best way to appreciate things is look at them from a far because sometimes you have to go down a level to reach new heights. I look forward to doing my part to make your BKA 19 experience the best it can be. Farewell
Hello my name is Christian Ponce although you may know me by my many names either Meme guy, Music guy, Slytherin guy,Awakened at Bayou 26 guy, or really handsome guy, the list is endless. I have many passions which I love pursuing such as being an amazing music player/teacher, hanging out with friends, gaming, long romantic walks on the beach, and also an undying love and passion for our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing in this world that makes me happier than getting to praise God through music. In those moments I feel out of this world with my soul on fire as I stop thinking and let God do all the work. In all my years I've learned that the best way to appreciate things is look at them from a far because sometimes you have to go down a level to reach new heights. I look forward to doing my part to make your BKA 19 experience the best it can be. Farewell
Speaker Head: Kevin
Hey guys, I'm Kevin Mai and I got awakened at bearkat awakening 16. I will be your Speaker Liason for the upcoming retreat. I'm currently working on my Masters in Homeland Security Studies. I like to play sports such as tennis and basketball. Adventures and food are my game. I am one with God, and God is with me. I like jokes, if you tell me one, I might laugh. I hope you guys have fun at BKA 19
Hey guys, I'm Kevin Mai and I got awakened at bearkat awakening 16. I will be your Speaker Liason for the upcoming retreat. I'm currently working on my Masters in Homeland Security Studies. I like to play sports such as tennis and basketball. Adventures and food are my game. I am one with God, and God is with me. I like jokes, if you tell me one, I might laugh. I hope you guys have fun at BKA 19
Cook Head: Nate
Hi my name is Nathaniel Flores AKA Nate The Great, AKA Chéf Nate, and I am Your Cook Head for BKA 19! I am really excited to be the cook for y’alls weekend! The food will be glorious! I am a junior here at Sam Houston. My major is Mass Communications, and I am a double minor in Spanish, and Communications Studies. I am the President of the Sam Houston powerlifting team. I was awakened at BKA #17. My favorite memory from BKA was the food and the people I met along the way, but mostly the food. I hope to help you go through the wonderful process of awakening just like I did, along with building new memories and new friendships.
Hi my name is Nathaniel Flores AKA Nate The Great, AKA Chéf Nate, and I am Your Cook Head for BKA 19! I am really excited to be the cook for y’alls weekend! The food will be glorious! I am a junior here at Sam Houston. My major is Mass Communications, and I am a double minor in Spanish, and Communications Studies. I am the President of the Sam Houston powerlifting team. I was awakened at BKA #17. My favorite memory from BKA was the food and the people I met along the way, but mostly the food. I hope to help you go through the wonderful process of awakening just like I did, along with building new memories and new friendships.
Prep Staff Co-Head: Lori
Hi! My name is Lori Guerin! I am in my sophomore here at Sam as a dance major and I love to spend all my free time at the CSC! I was Awakened at Bearkat Awakening 18 and I am Prep-Staff Co-Head for BKA 19! I love planning and organizational things and that is exactly my job for BKA. I loved BKA because I met so many people and made so many new friends that I came to love as family. The peer support system that is formed at BKA is amazing! I will not be on the retreat but I hope you get to attend BKA19 and you enjoy the time growing in Christ with your peers! Blessings!
