 |
Photo Taken by me: Summer 2016
|
Hello, My name is Garrett Reynolds and I am currently a Junior at the University of Oklahoma. I am currently double-majoring with both Accounting and Finance with the intent of being Pre-Law. I grew up in Tulsa but moved to a small town called Claremore, Oklahoma when I was 9. I attended Claremore High School and played football (but wasn't very good). After coming to OU, I rushed and joined a fraternity, but that isn't what I am most proud of. My freshman year, I got involved with some peers and started an organization on campus called "Crimson Wishes". This organization benefits make a wish Oklahoma and attempt to grant wishes for children with life-threatening diseases. Last year, we raised over $10,000 and granted our first wish. This is probably my greatest memory since I have been at OU as it was so rewarding to see how happy our wish kid was when we revealed the wish. Now, a few random facts about me! I really enjoy all types of music, but my favorite genres are country and jazz. I don't have a favorite movie, but I really enjoy anything comedic or horror. I really enjoy playing video games and spending time with friends during my free time. Being a proud Cherokee, I am also very passionate about my culture.
Upon completion of my undergraduate, I will work for the Cherokee’s as a financial advisor and eventually start my own business of some sort (hopefully a law firm). I am not entirely sure of what I want to do in the business realm, but I want to work for the Cherokee Nation. I have been influenced by my heritage and want to give back to the Cherokee culture. My mother introduced me to the Cherokee nation to expose me to my cultural heritage. To strengthen my understanding of the Removal and the hardship born by the Cherokee people, I am hoping to participate in the Remember the Removal Bike Ride, which is a 950-mile ride revisiting the historic journey. Recently, I started studying the Cherokee or “Tsalagi” language, which I view as important to respecting and preserving my Cherokee heritage. I did this to gain a deeper understanding and respect for the culture and to do my part to help preserve the culture. Now to my family, My family is a very close-knit group and we all enjoy spending time together. I have two sisters and they are both unique in their own individual way. I was always taught that family comes first, no matter the circumstances. That is a little bit about me, I look forward to reading everyone else's introductions and getting to know you all!
Hey Garrett,
ReplyDeleteIt was great to read through your introduction post. It is great to see another person from the Tulsa area. I am from Miami, which isn’t terribly far from Claremore. It is great to read about your organization on campus. It sounds amazing. I hope you have an awesome semester and best of luck with all your classes!
-Andy
Andy, that is insane! My father is from Miami and my grandparents and cousins also live there. Do you happen to know Addee or Kylee Carder?
DeleteHey Garrett,
ReplyDeleteI am proud to have found a business major in this class. I searched and searched through the intros and I thought I would never find one. I too am an accounting major, and planning to go to law school as well.
On a separate note, it is really cool that you have been so impacted by your native heritage that you want to give back by working for the Cherokee Nation.
Good luck in business/law school, and maybe I will see you around!
-Brady J
Hi Garrett,
ReplyDeleteDouble majoring and Pre-Law, dang, you must be really busy! It must be really amazing being part of an organization such as Crimson Wishes, I had not heard about until now. Good luck with all you classes this semester!
Hi Garrett,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and getting to know a little bit about you. I am also from a small town in Oklahoma, maybe you've heard of it: Atoka. I have heard of Claremore but I don't know exactly where it is. I think it's really cool that you are into jazz music. Pre-law is exciting! I wish you the best on taking the LSAT!
Wow, accounting AND the law: that is a powerful combination, Garrett... it sounds like you will able to really help the Cherokee Nation! And how great about Crimson Wishes, and also about Remember the Removal Bike Ride: if you have an event connected with those activities that I can share in the announcements, just let me know. The best events to include are always the ones connected with people in the class. Being able to study Native American languages is one of the amazing things about the University of Oklahoma; it would be so cool if you chose that Cherokee topic for your project so that you could share your knowledge with us. The Cherokee unit is one of my favorites in the UnTextbook; now I am curious if you will recognize some of the stories! James Mooney collected them while working with the Eastern Band of Cherokee; here's an article if you are curious: James Mooney among the Cherokee ... He was studying Cherokee too, but it was back in the 1880s!
ReplyDeleteHey Garrett,
ReplyDeleteI know where Claremore is too, it's where my grandparents now live! Good luck with the pre-law stuff, and law school! My dad's a lawyer, and while he works long hours I know he loves what he does (I also know never to get into an argument with him, he'll wear you down through sheer persistence). I think I've heard of Crimson Wishes, that's so cool you were involved! Hopefully you'll raise even more money next time.
Hey, Garrett!
ReplyDeleteVery cool that you're working on the pre-law track -- I am too, although I'm a year behind you! You must be getting close to your LSAT date, good luck. I think that it's admirable that you're planning on taking your education and utilizing it to help the Cherokee nation. It sounds like they're lucky to have you!
Hey there Garrett!
ReplyDeleteIt sure sound like you have had a lot of wonderful experiences at our University. It is really awesome what you are doing with Crimson wishes! I am sure that it is probably a full load being a double major, and that probably makes semesters jammed packed. Goodluck with the rest f your semester, and Goodluck with raising money for Crimson Wishes!
Hi Garrett!
ReplyDeleteI actually have heard of Claremore, I am from Ada, Oklahoma another small town! Props to you for double majoring! That is awesome! I am super impressed about your organization, sounds like you are already leaving your mark on this campus! I have many friends apart of the Cherokee Nation. The Chickasaw Nation Headquarters are located in Ada, where I'm from. That's super cool you are getting to work with your major and within your culture! Hope you have a great rest of your semester!
-Madee
Hey, Garrett!
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that I think it is awesome that you helped found that organization and helped ot make that child so happy! It always makes me happy to see people who genuinely care about others and want to make the world a brighter place. I am from Oklahoma, as well (Edmond), but have not yet had the chance to visit Claremore. I will have to go there some time! I am interested in law, as well--mainly intellectual property law. But only time will tell what I end up doing! I also think it is fantastic that you are learning about your heritage and that you want to give back to the Cherokee Nation! That bike ride will be an intense experience, both physically and emotionally.
Good luck with your last few semesters of university and whatever you chose to do after!
Hi Garrett!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you found a passion in your Crimson Wishes organization. That's incredible! One thing that you said that stands out to me is the fact that your favorite genres of music are country and jazz. I couldn't think of two more different types of music. As a big music guy, comparing the chord progressions in both genres is fascinating. Typically, people will like music genres that sound similar or have similar chords and chord progressions. Have a great semester!
Hi Garrett!
ReplyDeleteIt's really cool that you started a campus organization helping children! That must have been a lot of work to start up.
Also, it must be really interesting to learn about the Cherokee culture and language! Good luck on the Remember the Removal Bike ride. That's a long trip!
Hey Garrett!
ReplyDeleteMan, it sounds like your time at OU has been a great experience for you! I’m glad that the most important thing so far has been giving back to the community. I wish more people were that way. Best of luck as you finish your last two years here and apply to law school! Have a great semester!
Best,
-JD
Hey Garret!
ReplyDeleteYou seem really busy with your double major and intent to go to law school! I think it is great you joined the Crimson Wishes group! It is such a commendable group that truly does inspiring things! Keep up the good work!
Hey Garrett!
ReplyDeleteI'm also from Tulsa, and I do actually know where Claremore is! It was super awesome reading this and getting to know a little about who you are. I am SO impressed with your dedication to learning and investing in your heritage. I think there is a lot of work still to be done in that arena, and it is encouraging to know that amazing people like you intend on continuing their progress. Good luck on your bike ride!!! I am so unathletic, I am always very impressed when I here of people taking on endeavors of that sort. Your career path definitely sounds like a lot of work, but I fully believe in your ability to achieve your goals. Looking forward to what you contribute this semester!
-Moriah C.
Hey Garrett,
ReplyDeleteI am from Broken Arrow, which is essentially Tulsa, and my dad actually commutes to Claremore for work! He's a pharmacist at the VA Center there! I really enjoyed getting to know you and I'm impressed by your commitment to learning about ourselves, and that rocks! Good luck on your bike ride, and I hope that goes exactly as you plan it to! I am trying to get back into shape again, and that sounds rough, so good luck! Great to hear a little about you!
Hi Garrett,
ReplyDeleteThe organization you started on campus seems really cool! I think it's awesome that you were able to have such an impact through Crimson Wishes and I'm sure it means the world to the kids you're able to help. I think it's really neat how dedicated you are to learning more about your heritage. Good luck this semester!
Hi Garrett,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the success of Crimson Wishes. That is awesome. That's cool that you want to go to law school. Double majoring is fun! Also cool that you are studying another langauge. You should totally stick with it! Learning other languages is so much fun, especially if it is part of your heritage. I am Vietnamese but grew up speaking English, so I really want to learn Vietnamese now. If only my parents had taught me. Regardless it's always fun to study your heritage and learn new things about your family. Good luck on the bike trip!
Hey Garrett,
ReplyDeleteYou are a beast for double majoring and declaring pre-law. It seems like you have your head about you and are so engaged with the university. I can't imagine the workload you must have in balancing all these different things. I hope you finish off the semester strong with even more awesome stories.
Best of luck!
-Lance J.
Garrett, it was really great getting to know you some through your introduction post. I think it is so cool that we are able to interact even though we are in two separate classes (I'm in Indian Epics). I think it is cool that having an online class like this allows us to do that. Again, it was great getting to know you some and the best of luck to you on your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteHi Garrett!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I have to tell you how cool I think Claremore's mascot is. You have got to love the Zebras. Anyway, I think its really cool you are proud of your Cherokee heritage. My brother's fiance is from Tahlequah and is part Cherokee herself, so its cool to see someone else take pride in knowing the language. I'm glad I could read your introduction and learn a little bit about you.
It is very nice to meet you Garrett, I hope that everything has gone well for you this semester and I am happy to read that your involved with such a great non profit. I think that it is always nice to make a wish come true. I also enjoyed reading about your desire to work with the Cherokee Nation. It is always nice to meet a fellow Native American. As always keep up the great work and good luck on finals.
ReplyDeleteHey Garrett!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the end of the world! Or the semester, at least. It seems like you've had an excellent set of experiences here at the University, and that you still have many more to try. With the end of your college career approaching, be sure to make the most of them, and to not let yourself down in school work (as I have this semester!)
Hey Garrett,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to come back on your Introduction to say that it has been really fun getting to read your stories over the semester. I hope you have enjoyed the year so far and that you have a successful finals week. Keep up the good work and continue to take in every moment of college you can! I graduate in a week and time sure does fly by. Enjoy it!