Rodeo Awards $1.2 Million in Achievement Scholarships to Texas College Students

HOUSTON, TX -- Today, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials announced that 100 deserving Texas college students will receive $1.2 million in additional educational funds through the Rodeo’s Achievement Scholarship Program.

The Achievement Scholarships are awarded to current Rodeo scholars who are working toward an undergraduate degree, have completed four semesters and at least 60 hours of coursework, and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher at a Texas college or university. Each student will receive an additional $4,000 scholarship for each eligible semester.

“We are so proud of these scholars, as they have continued to demonstrate their commitment to pursuing their undergraduate degrees at some of the greatest academic institutions in Texas,” said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO. “It has been great to witness their academic progress since we awarded them with their first Rodeo scholarship, and these Achievement Scholarships will further support their academic journeys.”

These Achievement Scholarships are awarded following the initial Rodeo scholarship for a maximum combined total of up to $36,000 in educational funding per student. Of these scholars, 19% are the first in their families to graduate high school, and 39% are the first to attend college. These scholars attend 18 different Texas colleges and universities, and the top schools represented are: Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech University and the University of Houston. These students have chosen 49 different fields of study, with the top chosen majors being animal science, biology, biomedical science, nursing and psychology.

The Achievement Scholarships represent a share of the Rodeo’s annual commitment to Texas youth and education. In 2022, more than $22 million has been committed to scholarships, junior show exhibitors, educational program grants and graduate assistantships. Since 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $550 million to the youth of Texas and education. Additional information about the Rodeo’s educational commitments can be found here: rodeohouston.com/Educational-Support/Commitment.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $550 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2023 Rodeo is scheduled for Feb. 28 – March 19. The 2023 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 23 – 25. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.


2022 HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO™ ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
List as of Aug. 30, 2022

Angelo State University
Cambree Schwartz

Houston Baptist University
Johana Jose

Lamar University
Amber Martinez
Hannah Norwood

McMurry University
Caryn Lawrence

Midwestern State University
Addison Elliott

Sam Houston State University
Laysha Cabeza
Cate Harris

Tarleton State University
Candace Landrum

Texas A&M University
Leslie Apolinar
Austin Armstrong
Nash Campbell
Isabelle Dela Cruz
Megan Frerich
Blake Greaves
Matthew Hancock
Gabriela Hansen
Miles Huffhines
Emanuel Loredo
Kaili Manthei
Natalie McDaniel
Bonnie McKinzie
Kylee Medina
Macy Medlin
Kemo Moran
Danielle Moreno
Caitlyn Muckensturm
Cindy Nguyen
Taylor O'Brien
Katherine Rhodes
Hannah Saegert
Sidney Sanchez
Elizabeth Scheppler
Alldyn Schroeder
Natalie Solis
Justin Tran
Zane Wanjura
Karen Waters
John Wofford

Texas State University
Danielle Rubio

Texas Tech University
Cassady Craddock
Justin Crumpton
Shawn Earthman
Tasnim Gadalla
Kate Johnson
Kade Miller
Trinity Shipp
Carlye Winfrey
Maci Wisdom

Texas Tech University – Health Services Center
Braelyn Bevel

University of Houston
Rund Abu-Ashour
Kimberly Acosta
Sarah Bunjaku
Brandon Cantu
Maria Cavazos
Samuel Collins
Kiran Khan
Juan Pacheco
Jordan Pemberton
Annie Quan
Annalise Rosenbaum
Thai Tran
Varshini Vakulabharanam
Samiha Zaman

University of St. Thomas
Andrea Ortuno

The University of Texas at Austin
Iqra Ahmad
Vallari Bhatia
Lauren Butler
Yupu Cai
Kaitlyn Castro
Natalie Celestino
Jade Colunga
Maria Cortes
Anshara Danish
Haley Etzler
Janssen Fang
Hallie Feinberg
Carolyn Gulley
Sabbetai Hurtado
Charles Igwe
Coral Leitzell
Ryan McDonald
Julissa Medina
Robin Naranjo
Katelyn Nguyen
Joel Angelito Reyes
Yliana Roland
Grant Shim
Trinity Smith
Millena Tran
Tammy Tran
Karen Tseng
Erika Vasquez
Madeline Williams
Vivien Zheng
Tammy Huynh

The University of Texas at Tyler
Sarah Wofford