Seventy Texas FFA members were presented with $1.4 million in scholarships from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo during the 90th Texas FFA State Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, on Wednesday, July 11.
“The very first Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scholarship was presented in the amount of $2,000 to a Texas FFA member more than 60 years ago,” said Joel Cowley, Rodeo president and CEO. “We are proud to continue this tradition today by providing $1.4 million to these talented and deserving students in furtherance of their educational and career goals.”
Each student will receive a $20,000 scholarship from the Rodeo to apply toward a four-year undergraduate degree at a Texas college or university of their choice. Representing 59 different cities in Texas, the 70 recipients are 67 percent female and 33 percent male. The students recognized today will major in 25 different fields of study, with the top three majors being Animal Science, Agribusiness and Biology. View the list of scholarship recipients here.
The Texas FFA Association was chartered in 1929 and contributes to a model of secondary agricultural education in which students take part in classroom instruction and supervised agricultural experiences.
Scholarship recipients were selected by Texas FFA officials based on the students’ involvement with the program, academic achievements and financial need. These scholarships represent a portion of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s annual commitment of more than $26 million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, School Art participants and other educational programs. Learn more about the Rodeo’s commitment to education here: rodeohouston.com/Educational-Support/Commitment.