Joe and Brenda Trial of Houston, Texas are proud to announce the engagement of their son, Blake Joseph to Rachelle Marie Smith. Rachelle is the daughter of McDonald Smith and the late Oliva Smith of Long Beach, California. She is the granddaughter of the late John and Gloria Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah and the late Frank and Helen Stingi of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Blake is the grandson of the late Leo and Ruth Trial of Hobson and the late Ray Freels and Geneva Freels of Houston, Texas.

Blake is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. He is presently employed with the University of California of San Diego, working in circadian rhythms and bio-fuels. Blake will begin his Masters program this fall at UCSD.

Rachelle is a graduate of the University of Utah in Physical Anthropology. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Utah and is presently working on her Postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at San Diego.

The wedding will take place on April 21 in San Diego, California.