Scholarship Program

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.

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Past Scholarship Recipients

2023 Top Scholar – Taylor Colvin

On the night of May 9th, students and their families attended the organization’s Scholar Recognition Banquet, underwritten by Alliance Bank Central Texas.

This year continued the tradition of giving, and a record amount was contributed for the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo. The Top Scholar of the evening was Taylor Colvin from James Earl Rudder High School who received the Top Scholar and Board of Directors Scholarship in the amount of $25,000. The Reserve Top Scholar and Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship winner was William “Joshua” Jones from Kilgore, who took $20,000. Avery Fohn, from Harlingen High School took home a $15,000 scholarship. All scholarships ranged from $2,500 - $25,000.

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.

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.