The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo released its annual educational commitment, awarding nearly $25 million to support young Texans and statewide educational programs.
As the Show gets ready to celebrate its 85th anniversary in 2017, Show officials, volunteers and members can boast of a nearly $430 million commitment to youth and education since 1932. In 1957, the first scholarship awarded totaled $2,000, and was the catalyst for today’s multimillion-dollar educational program.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is thankful for the community’s support for the past 85 years,” said Jack Lyons, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo chairman of the board. “Today’s Show is the world’s largest event of its kind and one of the leading scholarship programs in the nation, thanks to the support of countless people, including our volunteers, visitors, members, donors and sponsors. This year’s annual commitment is our way of supporting the community in return, and we look forward to serving Houston and its surrounding areas for many more years to come.”
For the 2017-18 school year, the organization has committed to presenting more than 750 college scholarships, supporting 60-plus educational programs through grants, awarding numerous graduate assistantships, and providing sizable prizes and premiums to junior livestock show exhibitors and calf scramble participants.
The Show’s 2017 educational commitment of $24,793,510 is comprised of the following:
Scholarship……………………………………………………………………………… $13,000,000
Junior Show Exhibitors/Calf Scramble Participants………………………… $7,653,750
Educational Program Grants…………………………………………………………. $3,614,360
Graduate Assistantships……………………………………………………………… $525,400
Total…………………………………………………………………. $24,793,510
The Show offers more than 750 scholarships through 14 different scholarship program types that allow students to pursue majors in any field of study at a Texas college or university. Graduate assistantships are awarded at 11 different universities and colleges in Texas.
Houston Livestock Show™ junior exhibitors must be between the ages of 9 and 18, Texas residents, and members of a Texas 4-H club or FFA chapter. Premiums are awarded to these young participants for each competition.
Calf scramble participants also must be members of a Texas 4-H club or FFA chapter, and winners are given certificates to purchase a registered beef heifer or market steer to show at the Houston Livestock Show the following year.
Educational program grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) charities and accredited institutions of higher education that align with the Show’s goals. Grant recipients must benefit youth, support education, expand agricultural horizons, or preserve and honor pioneer heritage and cultures.
New educational grant recipients for 2017 include the Archway Academy; Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star; iWrite; KIPP Houston; Prairie View A&M University; Texas A&M University Legacy of Ranching Exhibit; Texas Southern University; Texas Tech College of Agriculture Sciences; and UTHealth.
The Show will continue to support organizations such as the Alley Theatre; Children’s Museum of Houston; Crime Stoppers of Houston; Memorial Park Conservancy; Project GRAD Houston; Shriners Hospital for Children – Houston and Galveston; and YMCA of Greater Houston.
For more information about the scholarships and educational programs supported by the Show, visit rodeohouston.com/Educational-Support/Commitment.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $420 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2017 Show is scheduled for March 7 – 26.
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