SarahBeth Boothe '23, a senior economics major at Texas A&M University, embodies a rich family tradition with a unique twist. While both her grandfather, John Barry Hart (Class of 1956), and her mother, Shari Hart Boothe (Class of 1985), proudly hail from Texas A&M, SarahBeth's father, Raymond Boothe, took a different path: He graduated from the school in Austin that will soon join the Aggies in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Despite this divided loyalty in the family, SarahBeth's connection to Texas A&M is deeply rooted. As a freshman, she lived in Hart Hall, the same dormitory her grandfather called home more than six decades ago. And luckily for SarahBeth, her dad saw the light while attending school in Austin when he met her mom.
"Dad proposed to my mom at Bonfire," SarahBeth said. "They have been married for over 30 years now."
A native Texan, SarahBeth is set to graduate later this week with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, a minor in financial planning and a Master of Science in Economics with a financial concentration within the Department of Economics. Her academic journey at Texas A&M has been defined by outstanding achievements and a genuine dedication to serving others, inspired by strong familial ties to her mom and older sister.
"Mom played a pivotal role in my decision to attend Texas A&M," SarahBeth said. "From an early age, she instilled in me a profound love for this school. It's been a good decision."
This profound love of being an Aggie led to one of her most memorable moments as a student at Texas A&M — surprising her mother with a new Aggie Ring.
"Mom's ring was so worn down, you could barely tell it was an Aggie Ring," SarahBeth said. "She had expressed interest in exchanging hers for a new one, but she was attached to her ring and couldn't justify the price of a new one. I knew she wanted a new ring, and I felt she deserved it."
Going in "halfsies" with her dad, SarahBeth orchestrated the touching surprise by presenting her mother with a brand-new ring under the giant ring at The Association of Former Students last September. As SarahBeth described it, the moment symbolized the unconditional, selfless, patient, kind and unfailing love her mother has always shown her and her sister throughout their upbringing.
"My mom is the most selfless person I know," SarahBeth said. "She continually sacrificed herself for us and taught us what it means to serve others. Finding out you have a special needs child, my sister Hannah Joy, can be hard for any parent. However, my mom has always seen my sister for what she is: perfectly and wonderfully made. It's impossible not to be motivated to give back to someone so incredible."
SarahBeth's older sister, Hannah Joy, was diagnosed with a developmental disability when she was young. She experiences mental delays and has learning challenges, including ADHD and dyslexia. She reads at a 2nd-grade level and may not progress beyond that. However, she doesn't face physical limitations and has developed strong social skills worthy of an honorary second name, Joy.
"My sister's name is just Hannah," SarahBeth explained. "But my family calls her Hannah Joy because she is always joyful. She is only a couple of years older than I am, but growing up, we became very close, and she is my best friend. She has taught me what it means to love others unconditionally and how never to meet a stranger."
Hannah Joy also has a profound love for horses, which has inspired SarahBeth throughout her academic journey at Texas A&M and her pursuit of a career in economics, mainly in financial planning.
"She has always adored horses, and I've wanted to ensure my sister has a wonderful life, giving her ample opportunities to enjoy this passion," SarahBeth said. "From the start, I believed that studying economics would provide me with a versatile foundation for pursuing almost any career path."
The decision has proven to be a rewarding one. During her time at Texas A&M, SarahBeth has achieved significant accolades, including two prestigious scholarships within the Financial Planning Program — the Diversity in Financial Planning Scholarship and the '80 Ags in Financial Planning Scholarship. She has served as vice president of the Financial Planning Student Association and is a proud member of the program's A&Mbassador organization. Just last week, she was named Group Fitness Instructor of the Year in Texas A&M Rec Sports, where she teaches seven different classes, including cycling, rowing and Pilates. A full-time position in financial planning awaits her after walking the stage at Reed Arena on Thursday.
"I plan on attaining the Chartered Special Needs Designation and working with families with special needs dependents to help them plan for their future," SarahBeth said. "Economics has provided me with such a good foundation for financial planning and has allowed me to pursue my dream career."
