Apply Now for 'Don't Mess With Texas' Scholarships

AUSTIN — High school seniors across Texas who have demonstrated commitment to community cleanliness are invited to vie for the Don’t mess with Texas® Scholarship Contest, offering a collective $10,000 in awards.

The 2024 edition of the annual scholarship, now open for submissions, targets seniors from public, private, or home schools in Texas. Eligible applicants, intending to enroll in accredited colleges, universities, or trade schools for the fall 2024 semester, can now throw their hats into the ring. The selection process, overseen by a panel of judges, will prioritize candidates with a track record of spearheading initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the significance of preserving the cleanliness of the Lone Star State and its thoroughfares.

Spearheaded by Ozarka and iHeartMedia, the competition applauds the ingenuity of seniors assuming leadership roles in combatting litter within their locales.

Norma Rios, program coordinator for TxDOT’s Don’t mess with Texas initiative, emphasized the pivotal role of forthcoming generations in instituting enduring solutions for maintaining litter-free communities: “It’s crucial that upcoming leaders feel empowered to devise sustainable strategies, ensuring Texas remains litter-free for generations ahead.”

Among the distinguished past awardees is Hayden, from Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy in Greenville, who devised the "Trashy Tuesday" campaign. Hayden’s initiative rallied fellow students for bi-monthly campus cleanups, eventually extending efforts to local parks.

Neddah, hailing from Brownsville Early College High School, was another standout recipient in 2023. Neddah steered the Environmental Club in executing a comprehensive litter management plan, including a campus-wide recycling initiative and interclass recycling competitions.

Since its inception in 1986, Don’t mess with Texas has been at the forefront of litter prevention advocacy in the state, conducting annual "Trash-Off" community engagements and overseeing the Adopt-a-Highway volunteer initiative.

Prospective applicants can submit their entries for the Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship Contest at dontmesswithtexas.org. All submissions must be completed online and received by 5 p.m. (CDT) on April 2, 2024.