By Tricia White | Managing Editor
This week marks several significant milestones for the Big Tex® Scholarship Program as it announces new Big Tex Scholars for 2026. In its 34-year history, the Big Tex Scholarship Program has officially awarded scholarships tomore than 3,850students for a program total of more than $21.4 million. In addition, the State Fair of Texas, in partnership with its Scholarship Committee and Board of Directors, announced that they have increased the base scholarship award amount for new and future Big Tex Scholars to $12,000 (formerly $6000), paid out over a four-year period – the largest incremental increase in the program’s history.
The State Fair of Texas Big Tex Scholarship Program has Awarded Over $21.4 Million To 3,850 Students Since 1992
This enhancement reflects the continued momentum and growth of the scholarship program, strengthens its commitment to student success, and expands opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
Since its establishment in 1992, the Big Tex Scholarship Program has upheld the State Fair’s nonprofit mission of supporting agriculture, education, and community involvement. What began as a $20,000 annual contribution to Dallas ISD has grown into a far-reaching program impacting thousands of students across the Lone Star State.
This year, 103 scholarships will be given to deserving students across the Lone Star State: 50 Juanita Craft Scholarships to Dallas ISD students, 50 Youth Livestock Scholarships to students throughout Texas, two Seasonal Employee Scholarships, and one Peggy Sloan Memorial Scholarship.
New and future State Fair of Texas Big Tex Scholars will now receive $12,000, paid out over a four-year period – the largest incremental increase in the program’s history.
“This milestone underscores our deep commitment to investing in the future of Texas students,” said Mitchell Glieber, President of the State Fair of Texas. “We are proud to continue growing the Big Tex Scholarship Program in a meaningful way, and we are especially grateful to our Scholarship Committee and the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors for their vision and leadership in making this historic increase possible. Together, we are expanding opportunities and opening doors for students across our state.”
Honoring the legacy of South Dallas resident and civil rights activist Juanita Craft, each year, the State Fair awards college scholarships to selected applicants from six Dallas ISD high schools surrounding the Fair Park area – Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation, James Madison, Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet, North Dallas, and Woodrow Wilson high schools. In addition, the State Fair awards scholarships to select applicants across the state who have participated in youth livestock competitions at the State Fair of Texas. The Seasonal Employee Scholarship serves as a thank you to the Fair’s seasonal employees for their hard work and dedication to the State Fair of Texas – both qualified seasonal employees and their dependents are eligible for this opportunity.
This year, the Big Tex Scholarship Program will be awarding more than $1.2 million in new college scholarships to 103 scholars across the Lone Star State.
A total of 50 graduating seniors from six Dallas ISD high schools were awarded the Big Tex Juanita Craft Scholarship, including:
| Helen Aguirre Ladarrian Alexander Isabellah Arrocha Natalya Bertram Fatima Briseno David Calvillo Abby Castro Mario Castro Ondrea Cook Ruby Fierros Marley Fragapane Maraiye Francine Dizon Giselle Gamez Aaron Garcia Alan Garcia Alyssa Gomez Joe Gonzalez | Layla Hallum Rocio Hernandez Jesus Herrera Montrell Horner Malcolm Jones Heidi Lopez Victor Macedo Ashley Macias Guadalupe Manqueros Fatima Mata Zaire Matthews Mia Mejorada Barajas Priscila Mendez Labraya Miller Alexa Mireles Melissa Montanez Felipe Morales | Mariano Perez Loriah Phillips Valeria Plascencia Jocelyne Preciado Selena Ramirez Miriam Rodriguez Laura Romero Jazmin Rubalcaba Kassandra Sarzoza Don’taejia Simpson Georgia Stabenow Janean Torres Chase Turner Anthony Vargas Mariah Vasquez Camyre Williams |
A total of 50 Youth Livestock Scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors from across the Lone Star State, including:
| Sarah Albus Cambrie Barksdale Cody Barnett Rylee Barrett Lilah Bohnert Rebecca Branch Lydia Browne Haylee Burzynski Caydence Butler Emily Bynum Zachary Casas Kynzee Cornelius Makenzy Driver Rayna Epley Avery Fisher Avery Ford Maddie Francis | Kylee Glosson Colton Gober Taylor Groce Paisley Groschke Johan Grotegut Josef Grotegut Kori Hammond Josiah Haughton Levi Heifrin Decara Hemsath Dylann Hillhouse Carter Hohensee Emma Howell Avery Hunt Karsyn Johnson Morgan Krasucky Andrew Kutzenberger | Aubrey Mayes Jaylan Miller Blake Morrow Madison Moseley Matthew Philips Tatum Pigg Ella Porter Erin Schneider Kindal Shackelford Ryan Simpson Avery Sisak Grace Smith Addison Tarpley McKenzie Tiemann Kotton West Kaelyn Wolsey |
Two recipients were awarded the Big Tex Seasonal Employee Scholarship, including:
Ladarren Lott
Pamella McGrew
This year’s recipients will receive a $12,000 scholarship paid over eight semesters (or four years), renewable each semester if the student meets the criteria for renewal. Students must attend an accredited college, university, or trade school within the state of Texas. To qualify for scholarship renewal, recipients must enroll in and pass a minimum of 12 hours each semester. In addition, recipients must achieve a minimum 2.5 GPA in their first semester and a 3.0 cumulative GPA for every semester thereafter.
The State Fair also awards new ancillary scholarships where outstanding students are awarded an additional $6,000 over four years to combine with the initial scholarship award to put towards higher education. Awarded to a strong leader and graduating senior from Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, this year’s recipient of the Peggy Sloan Memorial Scholarship is Laura Romero, recognizing her exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to her school community. Congratulations to all of these deserving scholars on their personal and academic achievements and well wishes to each of them as they pursue their aspirations for higher education.