Rodeo Association Awards 15 College Scholarships to High School Seniors

SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association awarded 15 college scholarships to 14 high school seniors around the region Thursday night at the association’s annual banquet. The seniors awarded came from all over the region, from high schools far and wide. The association formed a foundation in 2002 that manages the scholarship program.

Kermit Wendland, who oversaw the scholarship selection, said there are no geographic boundaries, though most of the recipients this year reside west of the I-35 corridor. Scholarships have been awarded to students across the state of Texas historically.

Since 1987, the association has awarded $1,522,00 to 733 seniors. The scholarships are for $8,000 over four years of college. Wendland said participation in the stock show or rodeo is not a requirement, but the applications ask about the student’s involvement with the SASS&R, and is generally the bond between the foundation and the recipients.

Here are the winners (caption above each photo):

Trey Schwartz, of Wall High School, will study history and pre-law at Texas Tech.

Taylor Smith will attend Angelo State University to study natural resource management.

Brenna Wallace will attend Texas A&M and study international studies.

Cody Garcia, of Hico High School, will attend Texas A&M, join the Corps and become a fighter pilot. He will study agriculture.

Reagan Hamlin (represented by her mother), of Sands High School, will attend Texas Tech to study animal science with a pre-vet emphasis.

Matthew Salisbury, of Grape Creek High, will attend Angelo State University to study agriculture science.

Sierra Gordon is home schooled and will attend West Texas A&M and study agribusiness.

Halee Sanderson, of Diboll High School, will attend Texas A&M and study agriculture communications.

McKenzie Arrott, of Ballinger High School, will attend Texas Tech University and study agribusiness.

Not present because of commitments to high school extracurricular activities were:

• Shayna Cooper, of Farmerville High School, will attend Texas A&M University to study agribusiness.
• Colt Dierschke, of Denver City High School, will attend Angelo State University and study agribusiness.
• Garrett Sanford, of Wall High School, will attend Texas A&M and study animal science.
• Sarita Short, of Panther Creek High School, will attend Texas Tech and study agriculture and communications.
• Kolton Looka, of Miles High School, will attend Texas Tech business finance and accounting.

One of the 14 was selected to receive the Kermit Wendland Scholarship. It is an additional $16,000. This year’s winner is Sierra Gordon.

In all, the rodeo awarded $128,000 in scholarships for 2017.

In 2017, the rodeo had its biggest year. The rodeo shows alone grossed $614,000 in revenue. The livestock show brought in an additional $248,000. The carnival receipts were down from 2016, but pegged at the second highest revenue year, adding $632,000 to the association's gross revenue.

The scholarships awarded tonight are a big part of the benefits the rodeo provides Texas youth. Every year, over 1,100 volunteers donate their time and energy to the association and the rodeo that raises money for foundation scholarships.

San Angelo Chamber of Commerce President Dan Koenig served as the master of ceremonies for the evening’s event. Lynn Shipley and the H-E-B staff prepared the sit-down meal.