Area students awarded HLS&R scholarships

HOUSTON – At a ceremony last month, 312 outstanding Houston-area graduating high school seniors filled the floor of Reliant Stadium. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo honored these exceptional young Texans for their achievements with a scholarship presentation, totaling $3.744 million on the evening of May 24, 2005.

Each recipient received a four-year, $12,000 scholarship from one of three Show scholarship programs – Metropolitan, Opportunity and School Art. The Houston metropolitan area has long supported the Show’s educational endeavors, and these scholarship programs were designed specifically to boost the educational opportunities for students in the Show’s home community.

The largest of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s programs, the Metropolitan Scholarships are awarded to 197 students in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties, and are based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and financial need. The Opportunity Scholarships are based on academic achievement, leadership and community involvement, and are weighted for financial need.

Nearly 1,200 students from Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties applied for the scholarships, and 100 recipients were selected.

Receiving scholarships from Crosby High were Randy Allen Johnson (Metro) and Adam Spencer Cook (School Art).

From Goose Creek were: Robert E. Lee HS: Tram Yen Pham (Metro) and from Ross S. Sterling HS: Gabriel Emigdio Barragan (Opp), Matthew Chase Casey (Opp) Kyleigh Noel Parker (Metro) and Jeromey Scott Thornton (Metro).

From Willie J. Hargrave HS were Jenna-Rose Ascherl (Metro) and Joel Ray Burgess (Opp).

In order to be eligible for a School Art Scholarship, applicants must have achieved Best of Show, Gold Medal, Special Merit or Gold Star Finalist status at the district level in the Show’s School Art Program in 2005.

These scholarship recipients must demonstrate the same academic achievement and leadership as Metropolitan and Opportunity winners. Fifteen School Art Scholarships were presented.

The Metropolitan, Opportunity and School Art scholarships are part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s educational commitment of more than $7.5 million annually.