NEW MILESTONE REACHED WITH MORE THAN $330 MILLION IN EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

HOUSTON — Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials announced today that the organization has surpassed the $330 million mark in educational commitment to Texas students since its beginning in 1932.

“The Show’s founders could never have imagined this phenomenal level of support for the youth of our state,” said Skip Wagner, president of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “It is a testament to the devotion and big hearts of our volunteers, now 27,000-plus strong, our generous auction buyers and scholarship underwriters, and our great corporate sponsors.”

Record financial results driven by record attendance have allowed the Show to give a record of
$24.6 million in support for the 2013 Show season. This commitment is comprised of:

·         Scholarships to high school seniors, and college juniors and seniors (current Show scholars, to be used for the 2013–14 school year)

·         Graduate assistantships for students at 11 different Texas universities

·         Educational program grants for a variety of organizations

·         Support for 2013 Houston Livestock Show^™ junior show exhibitors

The new educational commitment adds 108 scholarships, and increases four-year scholarships from $16,000 each to $18,000.

The additional scholarships include five $18,000 scholarships for dependents of military personnel; five $8,000 technical scholarships; and 100 bonus scholarships for incoming college juniors, 50 at $16,000 each, and incoming seniors, 50 at $8,000 each, who are current Show scholars.

Also new for 2013, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is contributing to the American Festival for the Arts, Children’s Museum of Houston, Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory, Memorial Park Conservancy, The Center for Hearing and Speech, The Health Museum, and more.

Additionally, the Show will continue its support of the Alley Theatre, Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists, Brookwood Community, Houston Independent School District – Apollo 20 Program, Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Community College Public Safety Institute, Houston Grand Opera, Teach for America – Houston, Theatre Under the Stars, and other local and statewide educational programs.

“College scholarships are a major part of the Show’s educational commitment, but we also have identified a number of local and statewide organizations which concentrate on the development of youth at a younger age,” Wagner said. “It is rewarding to see the results of these educational programs, which share in the same vision of molding the lives of our future generations.”

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. The 2013 Show runs Monday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, March 17. For more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com.

View the 2013 Educational Commitment here and Educational Program descriptions here.