Once an Aggie Mom, Always an Aggie Mom!

The Aggie journey doesn’t end at graduation—and Janet Knecht is a wonderful example of why.

A founding member of the Chicago Area Aggie Moms Club, Janet’s journey began when her son started exploring colleges during his senior year of high school. Although the Air Force Academy was initially his goal and Colorado appealed to him for its skiing, Texas A&M had something special going for it: deep family ties and years of Aggie traditions woven into their lives.

When her son ultimately chose Texas A&M, Janet quickly discovered that becoming an Aggie Mom was a journey of its own. She fell in love with Aggieland from a new perspective, cheering on her son as he found his place in the Corps of Cadets, took on leadership responsibilities, and eventually became a yell leader while completing his engineering degree.

As an out-of-state mom, Janet experienced both the excitement of watching her son thrive and the challenges of supporting a student from hundreds of miles away. The pandemic brought unexpected challenges, but it also reinforced how important it was for her son to feel at home in Texas.

Along the way, Janet discovered the power of the Aggie Moms community. She joined an Aggie Moms club in Brazos County during her first football-game visit and never looked back. That experience helped inspire her to bring the same kind of connection and support to families back home.

During COVID, Janet and Renee helped establish the Chicago Area Aggie Moms Club. What began as an idea at an uncertain time grew into a community that has supported Aggie families and awarded scholarships. Janet also served as club treasurer for approximately three years, helping the young club find its footing.

For Janet, the heart of Aggie Moms is simple: There is always someone who can help, whether your family is celebrating an exciting milestone or navigating a difficult moment. Even from thousands of miles away, Aggie Moms can offer friendship, encouragement, practical knowledge, and a sense of belonging.

Today, Janet lives in Florida, but her connection to the Chicago Area Aggie Moms family remains strong. She continues to share her experience, answer questions, show up for fellow Aggie families, and remind us that the relationships we build through Aggie Moms can last long after graduation.

Janet’s story is a beautiful reminder that being an Aggie Mom isn’t just about the years our students spend at Texas A&M. It’s about the friendships, traditions, and family we discover along the way—and the opportunity to help the next mom begin her own journey.

Thank you, Janet, for helping build our club and for continuing to be such a valued part of our Aggie Mom family!

Aggie Mom for Life!