Houston, we have a wrap up; Millions in scholarships issued

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Brittany Alsobrook, 12, of Karnes County serves up lunch. Hanging out with their show cattle are (from left) Megan Logan, 17, Leroy Drury, 16, and twins Misty and Christy Drury, 18. Cheyenne Buerger, 8, of Avoca gives this show cow a friendly scratch on the head. Weighing-in show cattle takes lots of hands, but is a key element in the competition.  Miles and miles of goats fill the show ring. A good animal, plus patience, was the order for the day. Show coordinators benefitted from their organizational skills in keeping the entries, and results, correct.

March 20, 2003 -- From Feb. 25 until March 16, the roar heard coming out of Houston was probably just the crowds at the new Reliant Park location of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

At press time, the paid attendance record for this year's RodeoHouston was set on Go Tejano Day, March 9, with 70,401 in attendance, according to the event's website.

Students from all over Texas camped out with their animals, families and teachers for the duration of the livestock shows, and all were eager to win scholarships to attend college.

The first educational scholarship was presented in 1957 by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and in the fall of 2002, 1,833 students were enrolled in 93 Texas colleges and universities, due to winnings.

Stipulations of the scholarships involve not only showmanship, but academic potential, citizenship/leadership and financial need. They must attend a Texas college or university, according to information from RodeoHouston.

For the 2003-2004 school year, 190 Metropolitan Scholarships represent a commitment of $1,900,000 in scholarships to Houston area students from school districts in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.

Opportunity Scholarships, totaling $1 million were awarded to students from the same areas, based on financial need, academics, leadership and community involvement.

Other scholarships included 70 for 4-H and FFA members totaling $70,000; Area Go Texan scholarships for 60 Area Go Texan counties, in the amounts of $2500 to $10,000; 15 four-year School Art Scholarships of $10,000 each; plus, various endowments and other educational opportunities.