Photo Credit Mackenzie Weadock
Mackenzie Weadock, a 2017 Show scholarship recipient, has been a part of many aspects of the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM and is thankful it has made such a positive impact on her life.
Weadock, from San Angelo, Texas, got her start competing in the Junior Market Lamb & Goat shows and participated through her senior year of high school. She was awarded her first Show scholarship as an exhibitor in 2017.
“My family consists of Aggies for the most part,” Weadock said. “I was raised being told I had to be an Aggie, but it was a good choice.” She kept in contact with other Show participants and volunteers, which led to a social media internship with the Rodeo and a Show Achievement Scholarship in 2019. Continued networking also steered her to serve as a scholarship judge as a past scholarship recipient. She majored in agricultural communications and journalism and graduated from Texas A&M in December 2020.
After graduation, Weadock moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she worked for a marketing company helping small businesses. However, a major life event was the catalyst for a career and lifestyle change — she lost her older brother in a car accident in June 2022. She returned home to Texas last summer and joined her family’s business, WeadCo Insurance, now serving as operations manager and a life insurance agent.
“Alongside my incredible team, we’ve done really cool things, and I’ve gotten to be part of some really cool change in the industry,” Weadock said. Part of that change is a brand she created called “Protect Your Loved,” a program emphasizing the importance of preparing for end-of-life expenses at any age. Weadock was inspired to share her story and represent her brother and family, but she also felt compelled to help educate others about life insurance — even for young adults — because no one knows where life will lead.
Weadock is grateful for the educational assistance and connections afforded to Show scholarship recipients and encourages students to apply as soon as they are able.