Officials announced Monday that the organization has surpassed $330 million in educational commitment to Texas students since its beginning in 1932.
Record financial results driven by record attendance have allowed HLSR to give a record $24.6 million in support for the 2013 Show season. That $24.6 million will be split up in scholarships, graduate assistantships, educational program grants and support for 2013 junior Houston Livestock Show exhibitors.
"The Show's founders could never have imagined this phenomenal level of support for the youth of our state," HLSR President Skip Wagner said. "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."
The new educational commitment adds 108 scholarships in 2013 and increases four-year scholarships from $16,000 to $18,000 each.
The additional scholarships include five $18,000 scholarships for dependents of military personnel, five $8,000 technical scholarships and 100 bonus scholarships for current HLSR scholars -- 50 at $16,000 each for incoming college juniors and 50 at $8,000 each for incoming college seniors.
Also new for 2013, HLSR 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, HLSR 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 February 25 through March 17. For more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com.
