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THURSDAY, MARCH 27

@THEBATTONLINE

LIFE & ARTS Local organization celebrates 23 years of service with the help of man’s best friend A4

SPORTS How to fix A&M baseball’s season and get it back on track for the postseason B1

THE BIG

The Corps of Cadets’ Squadron 17 gave back to Bryan-College Station residents on Saturday

EVENT

Photos by Samuel Falade — THE BATTALION

Clockwise from top: Host Stacie Grange ’01 explains the task to geographic information science and technology sophomore William Ladkani during The Big Event on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Squadron 17 cadets paint a fence laid on a tarp during The Big Event on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Cadets of Squadron 17 spread mulch around a plant during The Big Event on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Squadron 17 cadets mix concrete in a wheelbarrow during The Big Event on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

By Mollie Blake Life & Arts Writer On the morning of March 22, the Corps of Cadets’ Squadron 17, also known as the “Challengers,” participated in The Big Event, the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation. For the past 40 years, Aggie students have come together every spring to show their appreciation to the residents of Bryan-College Station by participating in community service projects that range from yard work to window washing and painting. This year, Squadron 17’s cadets were assigned to Stacie Grange, a local property owner with a small farm who has hosted Big Event volunteers since 2010. Grange described the day’s work as essential to maintaining her property, a hobby farm she uses to sell produce and homemade jams at the Brazos Valley Farmers’ Market. “We’re doing a little bit of cement work, painting fences, moving dirt and organizing,” Grange said. “It’s a great way to tackle all those tasks that don’t get done throughout the year.” Grange values the help from the student groups assigned to her property each year. “I really appreciate it,” Grange said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding. They get so much done that I couldn’t do by myself, and I get to show them around my farm afterward.” Squadron 17, a U.S. Air Force ROTC outfit in the Corps, takes its name from the 1986 Challenger shuttle disaster, honoring the lives lost in the tragedy. Founded in 1992, the squadron’s mission is to develop leaders of character through service and leadership, with a strong emphasis on creating lifelong bonds

APRIL FOOLS’ DAY APRIL 1 among its members. Agribusiness freshman cadet Henry Beckcom reflected on the importance of serving others. “It’s humbling to know that we’re making a tangible difference in people’s lives, especially in a community that has supported us for so long,” Beckcom said. “Today, we’re not just doing tasks, we’re showing appreciation for everything the community does for us.” For some cadets, service has been a long-standing commitment, but for others, it allows for a new and meaningful experience. General engineering freshman cadet Ethan Schmidt noted that before joining the Corps of Cadets, he wasn’t involved in service. This year, Schmidt was just one of the cadets tasked with painting the small fence around Grange’s farm. “Being in the Corps, service is a huge part of our identity,” Schmidt said. “Today, we’re here to help out and be a positive presence in the community. It’s not just about the work, we’re here to build relationships too. … It’s rewarding to just see the progress.” Geographic information science and technology junior William Ladkani, Squadron 17’s service chair, said the outfit takes pride in participating in The Big Event. “It’s a special opportunity to give back to the community that supports us,” Ladkani said. “We’re here not just to complete tasks, but to foster meaningful interactions with residents like Stacie.” The annual service project promotes unity and service within the community, allowing students to unite for a shared purpose: Expressing gratitude to the residents who support Texas A&M year-round. It’s not about the number of tasks completed, but the connections and relationships built through shared service. “The Big Event helps so many people in the community,” Grange said. “It creates such a positive connection between the students and the residents. I’m just so grateful to be a part of it, and I can’t wait to host again next year.”

Measles outbreak causes worry among experts With 309 confirmed cases in Texas this year, Brazos County experts emphasize vaccination, detection during

ly, coworkers or children, uninten“Unvaccinated individuals contionally exposing others.” stitute a great risk for the commuAccording to Dr. Yao Akpalu, nity since they are the most vulnerepidemiology manager at the Bra- able to measles infection,” Akpalu zos County Health District, early said. signs of measles include high fever, potentially spiking above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, along with a cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. These symptoms are followed By Jennifer Alatuogu-Okechukwu by the appearance of a generalized rash. News Reporter “Measles may be distinguished A surge of measles cases in Texas by the typical white spots, called has raised alarms in Brazos Coun- Koplik’s spots, in the mouth and ty. Local health officials say it only typical rashes described as flat red takes one case for the virus to spread spots appearing on the face at the hairline and then spreading downthrough the community. As of March 21, the Texas De- ward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs partment of State Health Services and feet,” Akpalu said. Because these symptoms can reported 309 confirmed measles cases statewide since late January. mimic Although no confirmed cases have those emerged in Brazos County, health of othexperts say the region should re- er viral main on alert, as the virus is highly illnesses, transmissible and requires only brief public contact to pass between individuals. awareness “It just takes one person who is is essential. infected, or rather, infectious, for Health officials urge the disease to spread,” professor residents to contact a and department head of epidemiol- health care provider if ogy and biostatistics Patrick Tarwa- they suspect exposure or ter, Ph.D, said. “Measles can easily begin to show symptoms. Prevention remains the move across state lines when people most reliable form of travel.” Measles is one of the most con- protection. The curtagious infectious diseases in the rent measles, mumps world. Caused by the measles vi- and rubella vaccinaInfographic by Zoe Rich — THE BATTALION rus, it spreads through respiratory tion rate in Brazos droplets released when an infected County is 96.5%, “Other groups person coughs, sneezes or talks. The according to Akpalu. of individuals who are at greatvirus can remain active in the air or This figure exceeds the 95% on surfaces for up to two hours, and threshold required for herd immu- er risk of getting measles include individuals are often contagious be- nity, which occurs when enough children, the elderly, pregnant people are immunized to stop women and the immunocomprofore they show symptoms. mised.” “Someone can be infected and widespread transmission. Unvaccinated individuals remain To protect the public, Akpalu contagious without knowing they have it,” Tarwater said. “This is the most vulnerable to infection, said the district is actively monitorwhat makes it dangerous. During but Akpalu emphasized that cer- ing for suspected cases by facilitating the asymptomatic period, people tain groups face heightened risks of diagnostic testing and is promoting vaccination through a public edufeel fine and may be around fami- complications if exposed.

cation campaign. “The Brazos County Health District is vigorously advocating for measles vaccination through health education of the public,” Akpalu said. “This includes public service announcements on radios, TV interviews, social media and our website.” In addition to educating the local community, the district coordinates with health care providers, agencies and institutions and holds meetings with stakeholders to ensure preparedness.

“These meetings focus on measles outbreak preparedness, including contingency plans for communication, testing, contact tracing, vaccination and prophylaxis,” Akpalu said. If a confirmed case of measles is identified in Brazos County, the

health district is ready to implement a containment strategy. “The health district has specific guidelines, plans and strategies regarding the detection of a confirmed measles case,” Akpalu said. “These include isolation and treatment of the confirmed case, informing the public with directives on what to do, contact tracing and testing of all individuals exposed to the confirmed case and quarantine and prophylaxis as appropriate.” He added that the district will also coordinate with the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to manage the outbreak efficiently. Tarwater said public health professionals already have the tools needed to prevent measles outbreaks. “We have learned the policies and methods,” Tarwater said. “What has changed is how well we are implementing them.” He added that, in his professional experience, there is no accepted or reproducible research suggesting that skipping routine vaccinations is advisable. “To the best of my knowledge, there is no reason not to get a necessary vaccine unless you are knowingly allergic, which is very rare,” Tarwater said. With the number of measles cases continuing to climb across the state, both experts encourage residents to remain vigilant. Knowing the signs and symptoms, keeping vaccinations current and practicing preventive health measures can help prevent the virus from reaching Brazos County.