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Caroline Crain
BY CAROLINE CRAIN / News Editor
On Friday, March 28, Tarleton State University unmasked ten of the 20 Purple Poo Friday as the members prepare for graduation.
The revealed Poo consisted of five of the Ten Tarleton Sisters (TTS) and five of the Ten Tarleton Peppers (TTP).
The Purple Poo are the oldest spirit organization in Texas, and the TTS and TTP are the oldest organizations on campus, keeping tradition for over 100 years. So, it’s no surprise that these students make a large impact on the university.
Tarleton President Dr. James Hurley says the work of these students is “a tradition worth protecting.”
“I’m so proud of the ten seniors that unmasked today,” Hurley said. “They’ve contributed over 3,000 service hours to make the university a better place– 1,500 this year alone– and those are just hours of the ten… It's just really special what they mean to us and to the student body.”
But while they mean so much to Tarleton, the experience means just as much to them.
“Being a Poo means raising the spirit of Tarleton,” Croft said. “You never know what somebody is going through, so you’re always going to boost somebody’s day, no matter what you do.”
Lippies emphasized the responsibility that comes with wearing the mask.
“For me, being a Purple Poo means being able to be accountable and being held to a higher standard,” Lippies said. “We’re there for the student body, we’re there for the president, we’re there for the workers and staff and we’re there to promote the spirit of Oscar P while also making people feel good about themselves.”
For Long, the tradition has become deeply personal.
“[Being a Poo] means everything to me,” Long said. “This is my family that I’ve put in time, so much tears, sweat and blood.”
Watkins echoed that sentiment, saying the experience is worth the work.
“It means a lot of time and dedication to the university, but it’s all worth it at the end,” Watkins said. “I love this place so much and I would do it over and over again.”
Wood reflected on what he’ll take away from the experience.
“It means giving back everything that you can to the school,” Wood said. “The happiness that I brought to people made me feel really good, and I loved being able to do that for people.”
Lippies summed up the heart of the tradition in one sentence:
“Respect tradition—it's not about who’s under the mask, but it’s about what we’re doing underneath the mask that is so important.”
Here’s a look at the students behind the masks:
Sister Flash: Madi Adams
Adams became a Poo in spring 2023. She is a nursing major from Anna, Texas.
Brother Ding: Cooper Croft
Croft is a kinesiology major from Springtown, Texas. He has been a member of the TTP since fall 2023.
Brother Dime: Bryson Herrera
Herrera is a business management major from Magnolia, Texas. He became a member of the TTP in spring 2023 and served as TTP president in the fall 2024 semester.
Sister Radio: Caroline Lippies
Lippies is a criminal justice major from Hurst, Texas. She has been a TTS member since spring 2023.
Sister Cork: Payton Long
Long became a TTS member in spring 2023 and served as TTS president in the spring 2024 semester. She is a kinesiology major from Fort Worth, Texas.
Brother Majik: Bo Thompson
An agri services and development major from Hawley, Texas, Thomspon served as a TTP member since fall 2022 and was TTP president in the spring 2024 semester.
Sister 12: Kalli Virag
Virag has been a member of the TTS since fall 2022. She is a business marketing major from Farmersville, Texas.
Brother Joker: Dalton Wambles
Wambles has been a Poo since spring 2024. He is a wildlife management major from Spring Branch, Texas.
Sister Flick: Raylee Watkins
Watkins is a math major from Midland, Texas. She became a TTS member in spring 2024 and served as TTS president in the fall 2024 semester.
Brother Glaze: Riley Wood
Wood is a construction science major from Bullard, Texas. He has been a member of the TTP since spring 2023.
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