Aggie Ring Day for Two
Double the achievement for twins in landscape architecture program, marking third generation of Texas A&M graduates from the same family.
Fraternal twins Mariah and Ashlyn Persyn, class of ’26, marked a significant milestone on Oct. 10 as they received matching Aggie rings with their family proudly by their side. Both sisters are pursuing degrees in landscape architecture at Texas A&M University, continuing a legacy of Aggie graduates in their family.
Continuing the legacy
Aggie degrees and rings have become a family tradition for the Persyn family of Castroville, Texas. The family now has three generations of former students who all wear matching gold Aggie rings.
Their mother, Kelly Persyn ’00, and father, Russell Persyn ’98, met at Texas A&M and both earned degrees in agricultural engineering. Prior to that, their grandfather, Ken Persyn ’73, studied animal science.
“I’ve had this dream of becoming an Aggie since I was in the fourth grade. My family all have matching rings so ours are going to look like theirs,” said Ashlyn. “For us, it really represents the bridge of the past, the present, and the future all in one.”
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this opportunity,” Mariah said. “The ring is a representation of all that hard work.”
A journey in landscape architecture
Guided by their parents’ encouragement to enroll in a program that blended their strengths in math and art, they applied to the College of Architecture and landed in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.
Learning the intricacies of planning and design from the ground up presented challenges, but the support from faculty made a significant impact.
Mariah said Dingding Ren, a lecturer in landscape architecture, was initially intimidating to them, but throughout the semester, they came to appreciate his feedback and instruction.
“He was one of the first professors I had who honestly critiqued us and gave constructive criticism that made us better,” Mariah said. “He really built me up in the way I design now and shaped how I think through things.”
Real-world experience
Both twins interned with companies in the landscape architecture industry this past summer in San Antonio.
“It was a really cool experience,” said Mariah, who interned with NP Studio, a full-service landscape architecture firm. “I did a lot of work in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop and got to learn about how small businesses run.”
Ashlyn landed at Kimley-Horn, a large engineering firm.
“I did a lot of park design and helped with renderings, redlining, and stuff like that,” said Ashlyn, who spent most of her time on-site projects in New Braunfels, Texas, with a group of 14 other interns, all of whom were engineering majors.
“I learned grit, how to be efficient, and that I don’t have to be perfect and already know how to do everything,” she said.
Future plans
With graduation on the horizon, neither sister has solidified her post-graduation plans, but they said they’re excited about the many career possibilities they have.
“It’s amazing how many avenues there are,” said Mariah. “You can work on parking lots, zoos, national parks… you can design community centers or help out with disaster relief. There’s so much you can do.”
They have grown individual interests within the discipline. Ashlyn said she prefers “the construction side of things,” while Mariah enjoys designing.
“I’d really like to help smaller communities,” said Ashlyn. “We come from a small town so I’d like to help grow those cities.”
Mariah is considering working in an industry firm doing design work, teaching, or pursuing social media as a career.
“I just want to make an impact wherever I go,” Mariah said.
After some professional experience, they eventually hope to go into business together.
Campus culture
Outside the classroom, Mariah and Ashlyn are very involved on campus. The twins run an Instagram account that documents their experiences as landscape architecture students and showcases their evolving design work.
“We educate people about our major and what it’s like to be at Texas A&M and a landscape architecture student,” said Mariah.
“Participating in the Big Event has become a tradition for us,” said Mariah. “We’ve made it a point to be involved every year.”
The Persyns also work for the college as student ambassadors, giving tours to prospective students, and are involved in several campus organizations, including the American Society of Landscape Architects and the honor societies Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi.
They also participate in Texas A&M’s Big Event, the largest one-day student-run service project in the nation.
A double ring day
A true milestone occasion came on Ring Day when their parents, along with their two younger brothers came to campus to celebrate. As their parents gently slid the iconic gold rings onto their fingers, a few tears welled up — a poignant moment of pride for a family deeply rooted in Aggie tradition.
“Her mom and I are very proud of this moment,” said Russell. “It is a culmination of all their hard work over the years at this fine institution.”
Learn more about Aggie Ring Day at Texas A&M University here.
