Do You Ride Your Horse To School?

Tanner Warmoth contributed to this article.

Howdy, y’all!

If you have ever traveled to other parts of the country, I’m sure you have heard at least one good or bad, mostly bad, thing said about The Lone Star State.

“That’s where all the cowboys live.”

Elizabeth Sewell/The Hub@TTU

“What are you going to name your horse that you’ll be riding to school?”

“Aren’t they all hillbillies in Texas?”

“Texans are so arrogant. Their heads are bigger than the state itself.”

Ridiculous stereotypes about life in Texas are alive and well in the 21st century.

Kodichi Nwankwo, a 24-year-old journalism major, was born in Houston, Texas. Shortly she turned 9, Nwankwo and her family moved to Brooklyn in New York City.

Nwankwo said she heard many of these stereotypes stated by close friends while she lived in New York City.

“When my mom told me I was moving back to Texas, I didn’t know what to think,” Nwankwo said. “I was kind of scared actually because I felt like, ‘What am I getting myself into?'”

Harrison Unthank, a Kansas native, said he would like to explore Texas a bit more before making his final decision about which state will forever have his heart.

“I do like Texas, but it’s hard for me to really say what it’s completely like, just because it’s so big, and I’ve only really experienced the college aspect of it,” Upthank said. “I like Kansas more, but I’ve also lived there longer, and I’ve experienced more aspects of it.”

Although she was apprehensive about the move at first, after seven years in Texas, Nwankwo has fallen in love and says she will never leave Texas. One expectation of her time in this “beautiful” state has not yet been met, however.

“I’m devastated that I’m not riding a horse to school,” Nwankwo said. “I really am. I want to ride a horse to school!”

Whether you’re lucky enough to have lived in Texas for your entire life or just now experiencing the majesty of this wonderful state, Texas Independence Day is March 2. Go out and celebrate with a frozen margarita and maybe a few bottles of Shiner, just because you can!