The Taylor Rodeo wrapped up its 2022 event on Saturday, July 16. During the three-day rodeo, ropers and riders competed for prizes, but for some award recipients the competition took place months earlier. Ten students from Williamson and Milam counties were each awarded $5,000 scholarships during the Friday night rodeo. The winners applied in May but were notified only a few days before the rodeo started.
“Putting together the rodeo and all our events is a full-time job in itself but seeing the smiles on the faces of the students that receive the scholarships makes all that time well spent,” said Glenn Nellis, Taylor Rodeo Association board member and chairperson of the board’s scholarship committee.
As a non-profit organization, the TRA reinvests its profits into the community. According to TRA president Edwin Stojanik, “In addition to scholarships we donate to local clubs and organizations, and occasionally to those a little further away if it’s for a good cause.”
Scholarships awarded in last week’s rodeo were from funds raised in the 2021 rodeo, special events and annual fundraiser.
Fifty students applied for the 2022 scholarship. Applications were judged “blind,” with the committee not knowing the applicants’ names. Half of the scholarships were earmarked for students pursuing agriculture-related degrees. Winners were chosen based on a criterion that included grades, class ranking, community service, school club participation, work experience, college goals, letters of recommendation and an essay about times they had shown leadership or overcome obstacles in their lives.
Most of the winners will be staying close to home come fall semester with all but two attending in-state schools. Likewise, almost every winner plans to return to this area after achieving their degrees.
Many of the students credited family as the main impetus for their plans.
“My dad went to Tarleton, and I’ve always wanted to go there since my dad did,” said Mac Hamann from Thrall High School.
Brook Newsome who graduated from Legacy Early College High School hopes to honor her mother and other female relatives.
“I want to follow along in the footsteps of the amazing women in my life who have achieved so much,” she said.
Mallory McDaniel, a Rockdale High School graduate who will be attending Harvard this September, hopes to become a pediatrician and intends to return home once she’s finished her education.
“I want to come back to Central Texas because I grew up here and my family has lived here for over 100 years and I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” she said.
Some students acknowledged that great teachers made a difference.
Thomas Oman from Taylor High School said “I couldn’t name a singular person for my success in high school because the support of my entire family was amazing along with an outstanding group of teachers throughout high school.”
“I had a teacher that changed my whole life and made me want to major in Ag Business,” said Katelyn Trowbridge, Milano High School graduate. “Big thanks to my teacher, (Mr.) Galooza.”
All the scholarship winners expressed gratitude for the monetary award and the effect it would have on their lives.
“I don’t have to stress as much financially. It will take a big weight off my shoulders,” said Aislin McStay from Liberty Hill High School.
Macey Lopez from Granger High School added, “This scholarship is important to me because my grandpa never went to college, and he’s been paying for all of our colleges.”
The application for the 2023 TRA scholarships will be available online at TaylorRodeo.org in October, 2022. “Our goal is to exceed
• Macey Lopez from previous years’ donations,” said Stojanik. “We are proud that we were able to double our scholarship awards this year from last year. Thanks to our local, individual and corporate annual fundraiser sponsors for their generosity.”
Taylor Rodeo Association Scholarship Recipients
• Trey Boles from Taylor High School will be attending University of Texas, majoring in Actuarial Science.
• Thomas Oman from Taylor High School will be attending Texas A&M University and majoring in Ag Business.
• Brooke Newsom from Legacy Early College High School will be attending St Edward’s University, majoring in Business Administration.
• Mac Hamann from Thrall High School will be attending Tarleton State University and majoring in Ag Economics. Granger High School will be attending Cisco College and majoring in Farm and Ranch Management.
• Miguel Grado from Jarrel High School will be attending Southwestern University working on a double major in Biochemical Engineering and Music.
• Mallory McDaniel from Rockdale High School will be attending Harvard University and majoring in Chemical and Physical Biology.
• Aislin McStay from Liberty Hill High School will be attending Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, majoring in Animal Science.
• Roy Moody from Thorndale High School will be attending Texas A&M University and majoring in Aerospace Engineering.
• Katelyn Trowbridge from Milano High School will be attending Texas A&M University and majoring in Ag Business.
