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Scholarship Program

The 2024 Scholarship Application is now open!

The Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo, held at the Extraco Events Center in Waco is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to produce events for education, entertainment and agricultural experiences at the premier multi-use facility while giving back through youth scholarships and a positive economic impact to Central Texas.

In 2023, the Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo awarded $256,500 in scholarships to 51 Texas students for the 2022-23 academic year. This continues the Fair & Rodeo’s tradition and mission of giving back through youth scholarships.

Scholarship Application Requirements


Below is a list of information to be included with this completed application which must be
emailed on or before March 22, 2024:
 Official high school transcript (to include SAT or ACT score, GPA & Class Rank)
 A recommendation letter from your Principal or Counselor
 Two (2) letters of recommendation (other than family members)
 A one-page essay to include 1) reasons why you qualify for our scholarship or 2) what
accomplishments make you believe you are a good investment for receiving our scholarship.
You will submit your essay as a separate document (preferrable in .pdf form) when you submit
this application; the essay should be no more than one page and single spaced.

Email the application below to:
Melinda Moss
Melinda@hotfair.com

If you have any questions, please contact:
Melinda Moss
Melinda@hotfair.com
(254)224-8276

Sponsors

Alliance Bank Central Texas
Scholarship Banquet Underwriter

Past Scholarship Recipients


2022 Top Scholar - Faith Lauderdale

The Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo awarded $250,000 in scholarships to 49 Texas students for the 2021-22 academic year. This continues the Fair & Rodeo’s tradition and mission of giving back through youth scholarships.

On the night of May 10th, students and their families attended the organization’s Scholar Recognition Banquet, underwritten by Alliance Bank Central Texas. Students receiving scholarships represented the following schools: Axtell, Belton, Burton, China Springs, Clear Creek, College Station, Fairfield, Florence, Gatesville, Grandview, Groesbeck, Hill Country Christian, Hillsboro, Holland, James Madison, Lakeland Preparatory, LaVega, Lorena, Midway, Miles, Navasota, Normangee, Rapoport Academy, Rockdale, Rogers, Rosebud-Lott, St. Domonic Savio, Troy, University, Vanguard, West, and Windthorst High School.

This is a record-breaking year in scholarship giving for the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo. The Top Scholar of the evening was Faith Lauderdale from Midway High School who received the Top Scholar and Board of Directors Scholarship in the amount of $25,000.The Reserve Top Scholar was Kendall Bone from College Station High School and she received the Reserve Top Scholar and Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship for $20,000. Callie Welty from Grandview High School took home a $15,000 scholarship. All scholarships given ranged from $2,500 - $25,000.

“We are honored to announce these scholarships for these very deserving students,” commented CEO and President Wes Allison.“Providing scholarships to the youth in this area is a core part of our mission here at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo. And we wish these students the best of luck in their future education and hope to see some or all of them come back to the Central Texas area to build their careers and futures after they finish their education.”


2021 Top Scholar - Lexy Ide

The Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo awarded $137,000 in scholarships to 36 Central Texas students for the 2020-21 academic year. This continues the Fair & Rodeo’s tradition and mission of giving back through youth scholarships.

Thursday night, students and their families attended the organization’s Scholar Recognition Banquet, underwritten by Alliance Bank Central Texas. Students receiving scholarships represented the following schools: Arp, Belton, Burkham Home Academy, C.H. Yoe, Corsicana, Gatesville, Groveton, Hallettsville, Harker Heights, Mart, McGregor, Midway, Miles, Normangee, Rice, Robinson, Rogers, Rudder, Thorndale, Thrall, Troy, TSTC, and Whitney.

The 2021 Top Scholar of the evening was Lexy Ide from Rogers High School who received the Top Scholar and Board of Directors Scholarship in the amount of $20,000. The Reserve Top Scholar was Courtney Thurman from Rudder High School and she received the Reserve Top Scholar and Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship for $15,000. Zachary Hoelscher from Robinson High School took home a $10,000 scholarship.Luke Read from Belton High School and Jenna Coward from Gatesville High School both received a $5,000 scholarship rounding out the top five recipients for the evening.


These scholarships are part of the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo’s annual commitment of providing scholarships to the youth of Central Texas which is made possible thanks to our sponsors and volunteers. Each year, our volunteers spend countless hours raising money through various fundraisers to contribute to this fund. Since its beginning, the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo has committed more than $3.25 million to the youth of Texas.

2020 Top Scholar - Hailey Crumley

The Top Scholar in 2020 was Hailey Crumley from Robinson High School who received the Top Scholar and Board of Directors Scholarship in the amount of $20,000.

The Reserve Top Scholar was Meghan Malcik from Rogers High School and she received the Reserve Top Scholar and Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship for $15,000.

The Third Overall Scholar was Kyle Coward from Gatesville High School and he received a Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship for $10,000.
2019 Top Scholar - Laynie Grisham

The 2019 Top Scholar was Laynie Grisham from Connally High School who received the Top Scholar and Board of Directors Scholarship in the amount of $15,000. She went on to attend McLennan County Community College with hopes of becoming a nurse.
The Reserve Top Scholar was Halee Wise from Waco High School and she received the Reserve Top Scholar and Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship for $10,000.

Both the Top and Reserve Top Scholar were also Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Sweethearts.

2023 Scholarship Recipients :

FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

Taylor

Colvin

William "Joshua"

Jones

Avery

Fohn

Miranda

Skaggs

Amy

Mathis

Colby

Crow

Caraline

Dudley

Lane

Freeman

Jayden

Ingalls

Jalyn

Dodd

Brenden

Henke

Joseph (JW)

Hollas

Weston

Brooks

Ellie

Grissett

Thiele

Alvarado

Chet

Fritsch

Taylor

Gohike

Jackson

Miller

Karis

Dieterich

Owen

Britten

Chloe

Kaluza

Cooper

LaBuhn

Macie

Wimbish

Riiley

Bohl

Landon

Langenbau

Carly

Taubert

John (JL)

Singer

Shelby

Perrenoud

Tanner

Patrick

Preston

Pustejovsky

Cassidy

Basinaiz

Kaylee

George

Lauren

Hanna

Madilyn

Howell

Madison

Murphy

Nathan

Westbrook

Anna-Laura

Whitaker

Kelsiy

Kniffen

Hannah

Vicars

Penny

Parmer

Connor

Barton

Marlee

Price

Catelyn

Tyler

Jenna

Morris

Dawson

Rudloff

Preston

Hering

Ava

Thompson

Jocelyn

Kolar

James

Cleere

Savay

Sexton

Karley

Rayfield

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