Frog of the Week: Leslie Ayres
By David Reese
Features editor

Leslie Ayres has strong roots in Fort Worth and the North Texas community. Much of her family lives near Fort Worth and she was born and raised in Wichita Falls.

Ayres, a sophomore movement science major, said her family has always been very involved in the community.

“My parents taught me to always be involved and give back to the community,” Ayres said. “Once you have committed to something, follow through and do your best in it.”

She said her family, which includes her mother, father and older brother, Brad, are very close.

“My mom and I are good friends,” Ayres said. “My parents were always very supportive of my brother and I in everything that we did.”

In high school, Ayres participated in band and orchestra, and was also a “Pink Darling,” which is a hospital volunteer. She said she was also involved with her church youth group.

Ayres said she decided to go to TCU because it was close enough to Wichita Falls to visit, but far enough to be away from home.

“My grandparents also live just off Berry Street,” she said. “My aunts live in Granbury and Fort Worth as well as my brother in Dallas.”

Ayres said she is glad she can visit her 84-year-old grandmother and 90-year-old grandfather weekly.

“I am very thankful that TCU is close enough to them to be able to go visit them every week,” Ayres said.

Ayres will graduate in May 2005 and plans to attend graduate school, to pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy.

She said her lifetime dream would to become a physical therapist and be able to make a difference in people’s lives.

David Reese