Moss '23 gets his own Aggie gold with help from former student

James Moss III '23 receives his Aggie Ring from his mother, Leslye Arevalocong, at November’s Aggie Ring Day. Not able to afford a Ring made of gold, Moss originally ordered one made of a silver and palladium blend. But a former student who heard of his predicament through social media stepped in to allow him to receive his own Aggie gold.

After putting in the hard work for his university studies degree, this summer James Moss III '23 earned the right to order his Aggie Ring, the most recognizable symbol of the Aggie Network. The financial reality of covering tuition costs led him to consider an alternative to the traditional gold for his Ring.

"My mom wanted to buy me my Aggie Ring but couldn’t afford it at that moment because she had just paid tuition for the semester," Moss, a first-generation college student, said. "So she decided to get the opinion of other parents."

Moss's mother Leslye Arevalocong took to Facebook to poll other parents on if a Ring made out of palladium, a silver blend material that is less expensive than gold, would still be recognizable as an Aggie Ring or if their family should wait to purchase a Ring in gold. 

"So, my mom thought of getting the silver Ring so I would at least have a Ring ceremony along with my friends," said Moss, who is in Company A-1 in the Corps of Cadets. "She thought of a silver Ring for now and a gold Ring for when we have more money."

Moss ordered his Ring in the more affordable palladium option, not knowing a former student was stepping in to help him receive the traditional finish. 

Kirstin Shine '87 saw Arevalocong's post in the online Aggie parents group and felt a connection to the fellow Aggie mom.

"My daughter also went to A&M and while there she served as Traditions Council vice chair," Shine said. "Hearing Kyra ['21] explain the importance of the Ring to others and the symbolism brought me so much joy and pride. I could only imagine James’ mom desire for him to have what he earned. James earned the Aggie gold. [It] simply felt helping a member of the Aggie family to be the right thing to do. She and James needed to be able to experience this milestone the way they both had dreamed of it."

Shine called The Association of Former Students' Aggie Ring Program and covered the additional cost for the gold finish of the Ring.   

Moss said: "I was incredibly shocked that a complete stranger would go out of their way to be that kind to someone they never met. It never ceases to amaze me about the power of the Aggie family as I am incredibly grateful for this amazing gift."

He said that he plans to pay this generosity forward to another Aggie when he can.

"I would love to show the same kindness that was shown to me," he said. "I would love to make someone feel the same way I felt when I received that amazing gift."

Aggie Ring Scholarships

The Association founded its Aggie Ring Scholarship Program in 2009 and in 2021 alone the program presented 313 students with an Aggie Ring from 210 endowed Aggie Ring Scholarships and a general scholarship fund for Aggie Rings. 

An endowed scholarship is established with a gift of at least $25,000, which may be given over a five-year period. Donors may participate in the scholarship recipient's Aggie Ring Day and are invited to other recognition events.

Learn more about this program and how to get involved here. 

Share this story with your friends with the shortlink: tx.ag/MossRing