Wyatt Kenny, junior earth and environmental geosciences major, goes by many names: Coach Wyatt, Outdoor Recreation leader, tuna-Instagram influencer and friend to many. While Kenny may be pretty much constantly up to something, he still finds the time to stop and chat.

Kenny started at Trinity as a biology major, but after taking geoscience classes to fulfill pathways requirements, he quickly discovered his love for the subject. As a San Antonio native, Kenny grew up among the South Texas limestone. Within the geoscience major, he found his niche: paleontology.

“I rediscovered paleontology because I was always into dinosaurs and stuff as a kid,” Kenny said. “And I discovered that I could actually do that as a thing, like I could actually study that.”

Kenny also expressed his passion for teaching children. He explained that his love of working with kids is one of the reasons he coaches the Alamo Area Aquatics Association swim team. Being able to teach kids and see their progress over time is one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.

“My long term career goal is something to do with education with kids,” Kenny said. “The best thing is watching them learn. Some of my happiest moments are when I’m more in practice and I’m trying to teach them something, and they understand it.”
Besides coaching the swim team, Kenny works on campus as an OREC leader. He explained that working for OREC allows him to get out into nature and teach people about the outdoors, two things he loves.

“I really enjoy the whole act of leading trips … I like telling people about the rocks. I remember I was still pretty early in my geoscience career, but we went to Enchanted Rock and I started explaining to people the history of the rock,” Kenny said. “I really do enjoy explaining the rocks and stuff whenever we go to rocky places outside.”

In addition to his work, Kenny has created a unique social media presence for himself. On Kenny’s Instagram, he reviews a variety of H-E-B products, particularly the grocery store’s various tuna pouches and on occasion their Twisters cookies. The reviews have not only been noticed by Kenny’s loyal following but by the H-E-B Instagram itself, which regularly comments on the reviews. Kenny explained that the tuna Instagram influencing was really a natural progression rather than a one time decision.

“My mom would make me tuna fish sandwiches … And then that eventually evolved into, well, forget the bread. I’m just going to eat this tuna,” Kenny said. “I had never actually posted anything on my main Instagram, and then I decided it was worthy of being on my main Instagram. Like there wasn’t a whole lot of thought process. I thought maybe this is strange to put on my Instagram. It’s the only thing on my Instagram. But then I just did it.”

Kenny emphasized the positives of tuna consumption for both taste and protein. However, he did express his concern regarding his potentially high levels of mercury.

“I think everybody should try tuna. It’s good stuff. One fair warning, I think my mercury levels are probably a lot higher than the general population, but I don’t think that affects me mentally,” Kenny said.