Hefty price tag enriches 2013 State Fair of Texas Scholarship Program
DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The 2013 State Fair of Texas Scholarship Program had another successful Youth Livestock Auction, with the Grand Champion Steer, Corndog, shown by 10-year-old Saige Martin of Hereford, Texas auctioned to III Forks for a record-breaking $110,000. Martin takes home $30,000 from the winning bid and the remaining funds go towards the State Fair scholarship fund.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131017/PH99199)
Established in 1992, the State Fair of Texas Scholarship Program has awarded approximately $3 million in new and renewed scholarships for in-state schools only. The program is open to eligible high school seniors from around the state who participate in State Fair livestock shows and to outstanding students attending these Fair Park-area high schools in Dallas: Lincoln, James Madison, North Dallas, Woodrow Wilson and the Irma L. Rangel YWL School.
Thousands of kids who take part in the livestock shows at the fair each year have grown up raising animals, as have dozens of the business sponsors who have a passion to support the continuing education of agriculture. John D. Harkey, Jr., CEO of Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Inc. which owns III Forks, grew up in rural West Texas and comes from a long line of Texas ranchers.
"I am a fifth generation Texan and I learned ranching first hand from my Dad, a fourth-generation Texas rancher," said Harkey. "The ranching tradition is carried on by these kids, and we are so proud to support them."
For years education has been the primary mission of the Auction Committee at the State Fair of Texas. Now in its 65th year, the Auction Committee has raised millions of dollars for the Youth Scholarship Program thanks to local business owners who are the unsung heroes. Because of their support each student receives a $5,000 grant, renewable in $1,250 annual increments, if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA, toward their college degree at a Texas university and/or community college.
"We are proud of our Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program here at the State Fair of Texas and grateful to Dallas businesses, like III Forks who make it possible," said State Fair of Texas President, Errol McKoy. "Great things happen when our community leaders come together and share the same values of agriculture and education as the fair."
| 2013 Grand Champion Winners in All Categories: |
| Grand Champion Market Steer |
| Saige Martin |
| Oldham Co. 4-H |
| $110,000 |
| Purchased by III Forks |
| Grand Champion Market Barrow |
| Cambrie Swafford |
| Lamesa FFA |
| $10,000 |
| Purchased by Tom Thumb |
| Grand Champion Market Lamb |
| Cameron Crenwelge |
| Kerr Co. 4-H |
| $12,000 |
| Purchased by SFT Sporting Clay Committee |
| Grand Champion Market Goat |
| Brittany Sanders |
| Harper FFA |
| $11,000 |
| Purchased by SFT Raffle Committee |
| Grand Champion Market Broilers |
| Dalton Cooper |
| Caney Creek FFA |
| $4,800 |
| Purchased by Tom Thumb |
Applications for graduating high school seniors are accepted from January 1 – March 1 each year. Information is posted in December at:http://www.bigtex.com/sft/AboutUs/ScholarshipProgram.asp.
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