Crowds gather in Academic Plaza. Photo by Sophie Villarreal.
A Look Back: Protest Over Student's Death from Covid Fills Academic Plaza
Article By: Sophie Villarreal, Staff Writer | BCS Chronicle
What You Need To Know:
Kirstyn Katherine Ahuero, a 20-year-old BIMS major at Texas A&M, passed away shortly after the start of the semester from COVID complications.
On September 14th, a group of Aggie students, faculty, and supporters organized a protest to advocate for increased on-campus safety measures following Ahuero’s passing.
The event concluded with students, faculty, and supporters from all around Aggieland sharing their stories and fears regarding in-person class attendance for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speakers addressed crowds in Academic Plaza on Sept. 14. (Photo by Sophie Villarreal)
According to her family, Kirstyn Katherine Ahuero, a 20-year-old Sophomore BIMS major at Texas A&M University, was the type of person you could not talk to for weeks and somehow reconnect as if no time had passed by. She was valedictorian of her high school before enrolling in Texas A&M and tragically became the first current Aggie of the semester to pass away due to COVID-19 complications.
On September 14th, a group of Aggie students organized a protest to advocate for increased on-campus safety measures following Ahuero’s passing. Chants of “No more deaths! Save our Students!” echoed off of the buildings surrounding Academic Plaza. Individuals of many backgrounds came to not only pay their respects to Kirstyn but to also combat the lack of COVID-19 protocols currently in place. While the university mandated COVID testing at the beginning of the year for all students, faculty, and staff, many protesters felt that enough had not been done to keep the campus safe.
Dr. Julie Singleton, a Professor of Science Education, attended the September 14th protest. “ I am vaccinated, but of course the Delta Variant changes the game,” said Dr. Singleton. Living at home with her 70-year-old partner with a heart condition, Singleton expressed how she worries everyday about bringing the variant home. “Nerve-wracking” was the word she used when describing the lack of available protection and precautions at the university. When questioned about her predictions for the university’s future regarding the pandemic, Singleton described how she felt worried. “Next semester, it’ll be the new variant,” said Singleton. She further expressed her concern that if people don’t do their part, the pandemic “will never end.”
A protestor holds a sign emblazoned with Kirstyn’s name in Academic Plaza on September 14th. (Photo by Sophie Villarreal)
Neo Koite, a Junior Aggie studying wildlife and fisheries, was one of the head organizers of the on-campus protest. “We wanted to bring awareness about the situation on campus regarding COVID, and how students are not getting appropriate accommodations,” stated Koite.
Hannah Jefferey, another Aggie student, held a poster emblazoned with “Here” along with Kirstyn’s name on it during the protest; a reference to Texas A&M’s somber tradition of Silver Taps. “I think there is going to be an increase in names called at Silver Tapps and Muster due to COVID,” said Jefferey.
The event concluded with students, faculty, and supporters from all around Aggieland sharing their stories and fears regarding in-person class attendance for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.