Senior Purple Poo members unmask

BY ASHTYN HANSARD / Multimedia Journalist

With the spring semester at Tarleton State University reaching its end, seniors are participating in the end-of-the-year events. One of these events, the Purple Poo Reveal, was held March 22 in Heritage Park.

University President Dr. James Hurley gathered with the spirit organization, the Purple Poo, to reveal the identities of the senior members. The Purple Poo is a spirit organization that has been a part of Tarleton for over 100 years, embracing tradition and adding spirit to students on campus.

During this event, 11 senior Purple Poo revealed their identity, signaling the end of their spirit career. Students and alumni were able to gather at the Hunewell Bandstand to watch as these students celebrated their time as Purple Poo. 

Dr. Hurley opened the ceremony with a speech describing how proud he was of these 11 seniors. 

“I want to share a number with you. 1,800 active hours that they participated in events. That doesn’t include all the time they were trying to duck and dodge, get out of the way, hide from you guys,” Hurley said. “It’s just incredible what they [Purple Poo] do for this institution. I am so, so, so incredibly proud of these 11 [seniors] and what they’ve done. Not only for the Poo and for the history and legacy of our beloved Poo, but for what they’ve done for this institution.”

Hurley went on to thank everyone that kept the Purple Poo’s identities secret, protecting the legacy of this spirit group. 

“No one does it like Tarleton State University. The legacy of the Poo makes us unique by design, and we will always be Tarleton State, unique by design, and that’s why we’re the hottest college in America right now.” Hurley said.

Dr. Hurley finished his speech with a quick show of admiration for the Purple Poo. 

“Thank you for being a part of this great institution, thank you for loving these 11 Poo,” Hurley said. “This is their day, and every time they unmask, I want these other colleges to hear us and to hear the pride and tradition and how much we love them. Guys and gals, we love you so much.”

With the finish of his speech, Dr. Hurley started the unveiling ceremony. Each poo took turns hugging the others before walking up the front of the bandstand where Dr. Kristy O’Keefe, the Purple Poo advisor, announced each senior member as they revealed their identity.

The first Purple Poo to be announced was Ozrick Henry, also known as Brother Bombshell. He has been a member of the Purple Poo since the spring semester of 2022 and is an accounting major from Fort Worth, Texas.

The second Purple Poo announced was Payge Scoggins, also known as Sister Speedy. She has been a member since the fall semester of 2021 and is a communications major from Fort Worth, Texas.

Brother Uno was the next Poo up to be revealed. Brother Uno is student Cado Collins and has been a member since the spring semester of 2023. He is a construction science major from Waco, Texas.

Sister Bunny, later revealed to be Brooklyn Martin, has been a member of the Purple Poo since the spring semester of 2023. She is a communications major from Leander, Texas.

The next Poo to be revealed was Brother Baby, later shown to be Aidan Straub. He has been a member of the Purple Poo since the spring semester of 2022. He has served as the Ten Tarleton Peppers (TTP) President since the fall semester of 2023 and is a business management major from Bonham, Texas.

Sister Wipeout was revealed to be Kayla Rogers. She has been a part of the Purple Poo since the fall semester of 2022. She has served as the Ten Tarleton Sisters (TTS) President since the fall semester of 2023 and is a business management major from Holland, Texas. 

The next senior revealed was John Lockhart, also known as Brother Sippy. He has been a part of the Purple Poo since the spring semester of 2022 and is an international business major from Fort Worth, Texas.

Sister Salad was the next Purple Poo up to be revealed. Sister Salad is student Kamryn Cole and has been a member since the spring semester of 2023. She is an animal science major from Salado, Texas.

Brother Equation, later revealed to be Ace Brooks, has been a member of the Purple Poo since the spring semester of 2022. He is an agricultural services and development major from Lampasas, Texas.

Sister Dory was revealed to be Erin Necessary. She has been a part of the Purple Poo since the spring semester of 2022. She has served as the TTS President for the spring semester of 2023 and is a human resource management major from Gatesville, Texas. 

The last Purple Poo to be revealed was Brother Tarzan, later shown to be Jason Stewart. He has been a member of the Purple Poo since the spring semester of 2022. He has served as the TTP President since the spring semester of 2023 and is a criminal justice major from Katy, Texas.

As the revealing ceremony reached to a close, all the Purple Poo huddled together for one last picture together. While these 11 Poo have been unmasked, there are still nine Purple Poo that remain unmasked. These remaining Poo will carry these seniors’ pride and the legacy of the Purple Poo organization.