Setbacks that led to giving back
Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences student Dylan Sione ’23 built relationships and leadership skills through involvement
In August 2017, Dylan Sione ’23 left his hometown of Fredericksburg, brimming with enthusiasm to embark on his involvement as a freshman at Texas A&M University.
On the eve of the first day of classes, while en route to College Station, Sione came upon a car accident near Bastrop. Demonstrating the spirit of a good Aggie, he promptly pulled over to check on the well-being of the driver involved. Little did he expect this act of kindness would significantly alter his Aggie journey.
“While I was standing next to the car on the side of the road and speaking with the woman in the accident, a distracted driver hit me,” he said. “I suffered fractures in my tibia and fibula in both legs.”
Sione was airlifted to the hospital and spent two weeks in intensive care before being discharged in a wheelchair.
“Needless to say, I missed the first day of classes,” he added.
Delayed, but not deterred
Sione was forced to defer his enrollment at Texas A&M for the year and underwent a series of surgeries – seven in total. At the end of the year, Sione eagerly anticipated heading to campus and beginning his studies, but doctors told him he needed to wait an additional year in order to regain his full mobility.
After healing, Sione’s decision to enroll again proved to be a challenging transition, as he was two years older than many of his fellow freshman students.
Still passionate about pursuing a career in agriculture, he was ready to begin a challenging double major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that would include study in two departments: the Department of Animal Science and the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.
But now he had to find his place among his peers on campus.
Drawing from his background in the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program, where he participated in activities such as showing steers, turkeys and broilers and served as the Texas 4-H Council’s first vice president, he instinctively turned to what he knew best to cultivate connections — getting involved.
Pursuing ‘other education’ through involvement
In 2017, Sione did not plan to attend Fish Camp, Texas A&M’s version of a freshman orientation. However, two years later and recognizing the need for a support system during his arrival, he decided to take the leap.
“I didn’t know anyone, but Fish Camp offered me the opportunity to immerse myself,” he said. “After months of being confined to the bed as I was recovering, I was hesitant about returning. Fish Camp allowed me to fall in love with Texas A&M again.”
Following three days of learning about Aggieland traditions, campus resources and making meaningful connections, Sione emerged from Fish Camp equipped to carve his unique path through Texas A&M’s “other education,” a term Aggies often use to encapsulate the cultural emphasis on involvement in student organizations. Many students from all walks of life find themselves learning and growing, both personally and professionally, beyond their experience in the traditional classroom setting.
Eventually, he joined a freshman leadership organization, went on to be in a sophomore leadership organization, served as a Fish Camp counselor and chair, and became the chair for Bonfire Remembrance within the Traditions Council for two consecutive years.
“My involvement in Aggie traditions like Bonfire Remembrance and Silver Taps was significant to me initially, but attending these events after a near-death experience put things into a new perspective for me,” Sione said. “If I hadn’t recovered, I would have been honored here, and more importantly, my family would have had the support of the Aggie family that I’ve come to know and love so much.”
Conversations creating impact
Driven by a desire to give back to the traditions that were so special to him, Sione went above and beyond in his leadership roles across campus. He initiated a coffee reflections partnership with the Office of the President during the week of Bonfire Remembrance, providing students a chance to learn about the lives of the 12 Aggies lost during the tragedy.
“Carrying on their legacy through new programs and helping many students understand and be impacted by traditions is my greatest honor,” he shared. “It’s special seeing this particular program grow since I started it and knowing other Aggies can connect over these memorable traditions.”
During the first coffee and reflections event, Sione noticed an older couple walking around looking at the reflections displays. After a few minutes, he felt compelled to introduce himself.
“Since the event was mostly advertised to students, I was curious about this couple’s connection to Bonfire Remembrance,” he explained. “It turned out, I was speaking to the parents of one of the 12 Aggies.”
Dylan Sione has gone above and beyond in his leadership roles around the Texas A&M campus. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Michael Miller)
They expressed their gratitude for the event and the Traditions Council’s ongoing efforts to ensure their loved one’s life was celebrated year after year. For Sione, this conversation underscored the profound importance of the traditions he coordinated.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the dozens of emails, hours of planning and the pressure of executing events like that,” he acknowledged. “That conversation really grounded me and motivated me to keep giving back to this place and these people.”
A tradition of community
Beyond his involvement in the Traditions Council, Sione discovered a sense of community as a Texas A&M University Meat Judging Team member and as a student worker for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In these circles, he had the chance to connect with College leadership such as Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, as well as Chris Skaggs, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for stakeholder relations and associate dean for student development.
“Building relationships with Dr. Skaggs and Dr. Savell deeply impacted my time as a student,” he said. “Their mentorship was unparalleled. I witnessed how they chose to invest in students and faculty with such intentional care. Despite their demanding schedules and commitments, they consistently found time to ask how my classes were going and how they could support me. It’s people like them who made me feel at home here.”
Having found the support system and experiences he set out to discover, Sione envisions a career where he can continue contributing to the well-being of those around him, regardless of the location.
Following his graduation this month, he plans to spend the spring in Washington, D.C., participating in the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy internship program — an esteemed leadership opportunity placing students with hosting offices to gain policy experience. Post-internship, Sione intends to attend law school, aspiring to advocate for the agriculture industry in the policy sector.
“My guiding principle is to invest in every community I have the privilege of being a part of,” he said. “Texas A&M has taught me that we always have a chance to make the world a better place when we choose to be dedicated to those around us.”
From his first day at Fish Camp to becoming a graduating senior with a wealth of the “other education” completed, Sione said he is reminded that Aggieland was always the place he needed to be to grow into the leader and person he is today.
“Our traditions set us apart, but the people in Aggieland make this place special. Being involved has made me realize I’m not just a student here but part of something much bigger: the Aggie family.”
