Matt Barnes, a freshman environmental design major, first experienced Aggie Bonfire in November 1997 with his older brother Wendell, Class of 2000. This year, Barnes has experienced Aggie traditions first-hand, taking a role in building the off-campus bonfire.
Barnes said the work and relationships built during the months prior to Student Bonfire Burn were more important than the bonfire burning.
“We don’t build it to watch it burn, we burn it so we can build another one,” Barnes said.
Student Bonfire will burn Nov. 20 at 9:05 p.m. at Hot Rod Hill, off Texas Hwy. 6 near the Tabor Road exit. A map is available on the Student Bonfire Web site.
Senior animal science major Paul Harding, a Student Bonfire Gray Pot, or high-ranking supervisor, said 70 logs have gone up, but that stacking will soon go at a faster rate now that the biggest logs have already been stacked.
“We’re about to pick up speed,” Harding said. “We have the major work behind us.”
Harding said about 600 students have been involved with Student Bonfire so far and that most students get involved by hearing about it through their friends or residence halls.
Barnes said he got involved with Student Bonfire through his residence hall, Crocker, where upperclassmen in the hall told the freshmen about it.
“None of us knew each other before, now we’re closer than I’ve been with any people I’ve ever been with,” Barnes said. “That’s exactly what the Aggie family is about.”
Emmanuel Garcia, a graduate student in Spanish and member of the Bonfire Coalition, said he thinks Student Bonfire so far is admirable.
“We are two organizations trying to do something with different approaches,” Garcia said. “The Bonfire spirit is with both of us.”
Garcia said discussion of the future of a possible on-campus bonfire should be postponed until litigation is complete and after the Bonfire Memorial dedication Nov. 18.
“We don’t want to disrespect the families of those who died,” Garcia said. “(When) the Bonfire Memorial dedication is over, then we can move on.”
Barnes said his brother plans to come to College Station to experience Bonfire again.
“I feel the Aggie family most during Bonfire,” Barnes said. “It’s felt out there cutting logs more than anywhere else.”