Beginning with just one scholarship in 1957, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scholarship program has grown into a multi-million dollar endeavor rewarding youth in the Houston area and across Texas with hundreds of scholarships each year. On May 26, the Shows largest scholarship presentation in 2004 resulted in recognition of 309 Houston-area students with four-year, $10,000 scholarships — a presentation of more than $3 million in one evening.
The Houston-area high school seniors each received a scholarship through one of three scholarship programs — Metropolitan, Opportunity or School Art.
The largest of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeos scholarship programs, 194 Metropolitan scholarships were awarded to students in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and financial need.
The Opportunity scholarships, the Shows newest program, have been awarded to 100 recipients each year since 1998. More than 1,300 students from Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties applied for the scholarships. The Opportunity scholarships are based on academic achievement, leadership and community involvement, as well as financial need, which is 50 percent of the applicants evaluation.
Artistic talents were the launching point for 15 recipients of School Art scholarships. In order to be eligible for a School Art scholarship, applicants must have achieved Best of Show, Gold Medal, Special Merit or Gold Star Finalist status at the district level in the Shows School Art Program. These scholarship recipients must demonstrate the same academic achievement and leadership as Metropolitan and Opportunity winners.
The Metropolitan, Opportunity and School Art scholarships comprise one part of the Shows annual educational program commitment — a program that will reach $100 million in total commitment this year. The Shows educational commitment also includes four-year, $10,000 scholarships through the Texas 4-H, FFA and FCCLA programs; Area Go Texan scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000; graduate and doctoral fellowships; endowments; and support of educational programs such as the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a 501(c)(3) charity with a mission to benefit youth and support education.
2004 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Metrpolitan, Opportunity and School Art Scholarship Winners by School District and High School:
Aldine ISD
Aldine
Jacqueline Nicole Burnett (M)
Chester W. Nimitz
Kristina Lynn Roberts (M)
Douglas MacArthur
Kristopher Nickolas Darnell (M)
Cristopher Alan Tijerina (M)
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Rebekah Elizabeth May Fields (M)
Kristen Michelle Rover (M)
George Washington Carver
Danielle S. Howard (M)
Ebony Raecole Smith (M)
Tina Trang (M)
Houston ISD
Sam Houston
Ruth Elizabeth Alanis (M)
Brandon Rashard Bissoon (M)
Rene Cantu (M)
Priscila Ramos (O)
Ricardo Silva (O)
North Forest ISD
Forest Brook
PaTrinia Gabriella Marsh (M)
Chundra Renee Smith (M)
M.B. Smiley
Michelle De-Nae Felder (M)
