1 JULY 2024 THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO Summer break is a misnomer when it comes to preparation for the annual Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Young men and women across Texas are purchasing their market livestock and putting in the time necessary to prepare them for the FWSSR arena spotlight. Youth horse exhibitors are also honing their skills with their equine companions to be ready for Stock Show competition. When they’re not tending to their animals, they can likely be found at either the Texas FFA convention or the Texas 4-H Roundup. Embracing the “stock show lifestyle” is pretty much a 52-week a year endeavor for most Texas youth. Stock Show officials are also keeping hectic schedules. Plans are coming together for the inaugural FWSSR Vine 2 Wine International Wine Competition scheduled for October 17-23. The Shoot for Scholarships fundraiser and the Jr. Shooting Sports Competition are both scheduled for October 3-5. Returning on November 1-2 is the Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition and Sale followed by the new High School BBQ Inc. Cooking Competition on November 8 and 9. Arguably the most anticipated event will be the celebratory opening of the renovated Sheep and Swine Barns. Be looking for more information on the ribbon cutting for this exciting new chapter for the Stock Show and Will Rogers Memorial Center. For now, check out this edition of Whoa! for more great FWSSR stories. Did you know that the Stock Show has held a meat judging contest since 1938? There’s a fascinating article on how this FWSSR tradition is helping train tomorrow’s food industry leaders. There are also inspiring stories about scholarship recipients and other timely Stock Show news. So, stay cool, and we hope to see you at some of these exciting fall events. IN THIS ISSUE 3 The Meat of the Matter 6 Inside Scoop on Rodeo Tickets 7 FWSSR Awards 4-H and THSRA Scholarships 9 FWSSR Shoot For Scholarships 10 Scholarship Winner Highlight: Reagan Ellison 12 Art Contest Serves as Platform for Future Professionals 14 Volunteer Highight: Mike Micallef SUMMERTIME IS A BUSY TIME!
2 NEWS BRIEFS RODEO TICKETS GO ON SALE SEPTEMBER 9! 2025 will be the year to “Hustle and Show,” and you’ll want to hustle to get your tickets for your favorite rodeo performance starting September 9. Check out the schedule below for your favorite performance date then go to page 6 for hints to make your rodeo ticket purchase experience the best ever! TWO FWSSR QUALIFIER RODEOS REMAIN Life is a highway, but for some professional rodeo athletes, staying close to home is a necessity and that’s why the FWSSR Qualifier Rodeo system can be a game changer. Whether it’s a full-time job or family commitments, some pros aren’t able to rack up the highway miles necessary to qualify among the top season-ending leaders, but winning an FWSSR qualifier rodeo gives them the chance. Check it out! Who knows who you might see?! Click the name of the rodeo to visit the website. WICHITA FALLS PRO RODEO AUGUST 16-17 NORTH TEXAS FAIR & RODEO (Denton) AUGUST 16-18 VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS 2025 Stock Show volunteer applications are being accepted through September 1. Go here for more info. SEPTEMBER 15 ENTRIES OPEN! Entries accepted: Livestock, Horse, Poultry, Pigeons and Rabbits. SEPTEMBER 28 YOUTH ART CONTEST ENTRY DEADLINE . Click here to enter. OCTOBER 1 FWSSR ALL WESTERN PARADE APPLICATIONS OPEN AT FWSSR.COM November 30 deadline. OCTOBER 3 SHOOT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS SPORTING CLAY TOURNAMENT Presented by AgTrust Farm Credit. Support FWSSR Junior Shooting Sports Competition and Aim for Education scholarship initiatives. BUY TEAMS OR SPONSORSHIPS HERE. Learn more on page 9. OCTOBER 4 – 5 JR. SHOOTING SPORTS COMPETITION AND AIM FOR EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS 4-H and FFA members, grades 6 -12, shoot for a chance at belt buckles and more than $45,000 in premiums, and scholarships. OCTOBER 17 - 23 INAUGURAL FWSSR VINE 2 WINE INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION NOVEMBER 1 - 2 COWBOY ARTISTS OF AMERICA EXHIBITION AND SALE Guests will have the opportunity to purchase an outstanding work by renowned western artists and enjoy the works of the 2024-2025 FWSSR Youth Art Contest winners. Learn more at cowboyartistsofamerica.com. NOVEMBER 8 - 9 HIGH SCHOOL BBQ INC. COOKING COMPETITION The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is thrilled to welcome this new competition featuring high school teams competing in ribs and brisket, chicken, beans and dessert divisions. And then there were TWO! Mark Your Calendars! BEST OF THE WEST RANCH RODEO JANUARY 17 – 18 BEST OF MEXICO CELEBRACIÓN JANUARY 19 COWBOYS OF COLOR RODEO JANUARY 20 BULLS’ NIGHT OUT JANUARY 21 – 22 TEXAS CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE RODEO JANUARY 23 FWSSR RODEO TOURNAMENT JANUARY 24 – FEBRUARY 8 2 FWSSR RODEO TICKETS ON SALE SEPTEMBER 9! GRAB YOURS AND BEAT THE RUSH! TENTATIVE 2025 RODEO PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Get Involved! New! New! Do The Hustle!
3 THE MEAT OF THE MATTER U.S. consumers enjoy the most affordable, safe and nutritious source of meat protein (from burgers to pork chops, roasts, jerky, etc.) in the world. Livestock production, highlighted and honored at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, is the basis of a system that transforms beef, pork, lamb and poultry into the foods consumers enjoy - from ready-to-eat items to the cuts consumers bring home for backyard grilling or kitchen preparation. Between the farm and the fork, a well-trained workforce serves in critical roles ranging from product development, quality assurance, food safety and other aspects that consumers, who are mostly unaware of this critical infrastructure, benefit from on a daily basis. Many of those professionals got their start on meat judging teams that compete at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Meat judging contests are pivotal in training tomorrow’s leaders in these important fields yet are likely the most obscure and least understood of all competitions the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo offers. And, while they receive little fanfare, meat judging serves as an important training tool, providing youth participants with not only unique educational insights into food science and meat production but create career development opportunities very few contests can match. JUST WHAT IS A MEAT JUDGING CONTEST? In a nutshell, meat judging competitors evaluate beef, pork and lamb carcasses, as well as individual cuts of beef and pork, on factors that impact their market value and overall consumer appeal. For example, in a “Beef Carcass Quality Grading Class” competitors are required to use quality criteria established by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service to assign quality grades (Prime, Choice, Select, etc.) to 15 carcasses within a specified timeframe. The “Southwestern” as it’s commonly called in intercollegiate meat judging circles was first held in either the Armor or Swift packing plants (records are unclear) in 1938 when the Stock Show’s home was in the Northside Coliseum. The proximity to the plants made the Southwestern intercollegiate meat judging contest a perfect Stock Show fit, and it remained there after the FWSSR’s move to the Will Rogers Memorial Center in 1944. Stock Show officials remained strongly committed to continuing the contest after those plants closed, working with other companies to host the contest. Today, the competition is held at Columbia Packing Company in Ennis, Texas, which is owned and operated by the multi-generational Ondrusek family. Their tremendous generosity allows contest officials to have three days of full facility access to organize and hold not only the Southwestern, but the FWSSR’s 4-H and FFA Meat Judging Contest which was added in 2015. “The key to providing an outstanding meat judging contest is an adequate facility for displaying product and suitable accommodations for all competitors and Columbia Packing Company is a tremendous partner,” said FWSSR’s Livestock Show Director, Stefan Marchman. “The Ondrusek family and their crew go above and beyond in helping our contest Superintendents provide for an excellent contest for our 4-H, FFA and collegiate competitors.” The Southwestern intercollegiate contest begins at 7 a.m. sharp, traditionally on the last Sunday of the Stock Show’s calendar. Contestants will spend the morning in Columbia’s coolers in groups of approximately 20 individuals. One can hear a pin drop (talking is strictly forbidden) as contestants move around carefully analyzing the carcasses that hang from rails and cuts neatly displayed on counters. There are five carcass classes with four carcasses in each class that are evaluated for various value determining characteristics and placed accordingly. Contestants dictate detailed notes that are used for writing hand-written reasons that justify their decisions made on the morning’s classes. After a brief lunch break, contestants return to the coolers FWSSR Judging Contests Train Tomorrow’s Food Industry Leaders
4 4 to judge more classes. Up to 12 classes are judged which include: beef carcass evaluation; beef cut evaluation; pork carcass evaluation; pork cut evaluation; and lamb carcass evaluation. An additional class requires contestants to determine “quality” and “yield” grades on 15 beef carcasses as well as a class requiring contestants to memorize specifications for federal government foodservice programs (e.g. school lunch) and determine if various cuts qualify. Shortly after the intercollegiate contestants are finished judging their classes, Columbia’s coolers are made ready for the 4-H and FFA contest which commences at 5 p.m. Classes for the younger judges are modified to match their skill levels. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE Compared to leading a steer into the Will Rogers Coliseum for the “grand drive” or riding a speeding horse to a perfect sliding stop during a reining class in the Justin Arena, little of the effort necessary for meat judging success – study, practice, competition – would be considered exciting. Successful meat judging competitors are very disciplined with a strong focus and work ethic that would seem boring to many. Their excitement comes not only when their names are called at an awards ceremony, but also in knowing they are accomplished standouts in an industry that feeds the world. It’s a commitment that few of their peers are willing to undertake. Similar to many youth sports, many competitors start young and, should their skills and interests progress, scholarships and college competition await youth who began the journey on a 4-H team when he / she was only 9-years old. One such 9-year-old was Johnson County 4-Her Travis Tilton who competed in his first meat judging competition in 2011. It was the beginning of a fulfilling and rewarding journey for the youngster who was introduced to meat judging by Larry Wooley a longtime FWSSR Livestock Show Superintendent and adult 4-H leader who has coached and inspired countless Johnson County youth over the years. Tilton and his team won the National 4-H Meat Judging competition in 2016 after which he was recruited to Texas Tech University by the respected and highly successful head coach, Mark Miller. Tilton competed for Texas Tech his sophomore year on a team that won the Reserve National Championship. Between 4-H and intercollegiate competitions, Tilton and those like him devote countless hours to study and practice. “College students can spend 50 or more hours a week studying and practicing,” says Miller, who serves as a professor of Meat Science and Muscle Biology at TTU and is likely the nation’s most well-known meat judging coach and program advocate. “The most dedicated students will work eight to 10 hours a day – seven days a week.” The competitive intensity at the intercollegiate level is not unlike Division I NCAA sports. Besides Texas Tech other perennial meat judging schools include Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Colorado State, Kansas State, University of Illinois, Tarleton State, West Texas A&M, University of Wyoming and others. . These universities, some junior colleges and even a few high schools have meat labs that, while primarily used for academic instruction and research, serve as the main practice facilities for their respective teams. Meat industry corporations like Tyson Foods, Cargill Protein, JBS Foods, National Beef and smaller companies often open their facilities to intercollegiate teams for practice. Plants are often visited when teams are in route to contests held mainly in Texas and the Midwest. It’s a win-win situation where corporations welcome the enthusiastic and aspiring professionals not just for practice, but for networking and potential recruitment opportunities. CREATIVE INNOVATION AND FRIENDSHIPS CAPTURES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP While intercollegiate meat judging programs have greater access to labs, processing plants and industry executives, most 4-H and FFA programs, with fewer resources, must get creative to generate and maintain the interests of preteen and teenage youth in meat judging. Kari Beth Langbein, ag science instructor at Burnet (Texas) High School excels at creativity. Langbein began her teaching career at San Antonio’s James Madison High School. The Texas A&M graduate who earned her bachelor’s degree in
5 Agricultural Science in 2012, raised and showed swine – including winning several open championships at the FWSSR – but didn’t judge meat as a youth. Teaching food science and technology classes and helping coach James Madison’s respected FFA meat judging teams got her interested in the competition. Langbein left San Antonio in 2018 for a teaching position in Burnet, a school much smaller than James Madison High. Coaching a meat judging team there would be a greater challenge. In 2023 she succeeded in stirring the curiosity of four Burnet High juniors - Carter Bostic, Enrique Montalvo, Jackson Drozd and Cayden Beatty – in competing. While flash cards and dozens of photos of meat cuts that Langbein captured and stored in Google Drive would be helpful tools, she knew that to keep the teenagers excited and hooked for the challenges ahead, they needed to be in front of the real thing. Her solution came with the help of a family friend. Kip Thompson is the proprietor of Harvest House, a full-service plant that processes livestock from harvest to packaged products in nearby Johnson City. Langbein’s friendship with Thompson opened Harvest House’s door to accommodate practice sessions for the Burnet FFA team. With practices at Harvest House and spare time spent with Langbein’s other training tools, things were beginning to fall into place to make a serious run at the state FFA Meat Judging Contest in April. “Harvest House was extremely generous in opening their doors to us for practice and Kip is an amazing industry professional who cares deeply about the kids,” said Langbein. “He and his staff walked my students through the safety and technology aspects of each step, giving them the confidence needed to go into the state and national contests.” As the Texas state FFA contest approached, the team’s confidence and abilities steadily grew as their practice and study habits mirrored that of their collegiate counterparts. Langbein admits that preparation is crucial, but knows for success, it’s also got to be “their day” when a group of teenagers must be hyper-focused and “dialed in” when they step into a cooler for a major competition. April 29 proved to be “their day” and the team captured the state championship title and punched their ticket to the national contest in November at Purdue University where they remained “dialed in” winning the national title as well. Their individual accomplishments were equally impressive. Drozd was high scoring individual at the state competition, then Bostic and Drozd finished as National and Reserve National champions respectively with Montalvo placing fourth and Beatty sixth in the national competition. Their Cinderella year was extended when they captured high point team honors at the 2024 FWSSR contest on January 28. All four are attending college, recruited to compete on intercollegiate teams at Texas A&M and West Texas A&M University. “I can’t say enough about those boys and their dedication,” said Langbein. “We came out of nowhere and raised a lot of eyebrows.” FUTURE FOOD INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS It’s easy to see that the young men of the Burnet FFA national championship team may easily follow in the footsteps of Travis Tilton and thousands of other meat judging enthusiasts. After fulfilling his one year of eligibility on TTU’s meat judging team Tilton finished out his undergraduate time competing on their livestock judging team. Upon graduation he enrolled at West Texas A&M and earned a master’s degree in animal science. Of course, he coached WTAMU’s meat judging team while completing his degree. Shortly after graduation Cargill Protein offered him a position in Kansas where he is now a cattle procurement executive for the company’s fed beef plant in Dodge City, Kan. Tilton credits much of his professional success to the hours spent studying, practicing and coaching. “My early experience at the Fort Worth Stock Show set the stage for my passion in the beef industry,” said Tilton. “It inspired me to look for a career where I could work alongside producers to produce the highest quality beef in the world. I whole heartedly credit the meat judging program for my exposure to my greatest mentors, allowing me to travel the globe, and build an amazing network of friends and colleagues.” 5 Kari Beth Langbein, center, ag science instructor at Burnet (Texas) High School coached the school’s FFA team to state and national championship wins. Photo courtesy Kari Beth Langbein A former national champion and FWSSR meat judging competitor, Travis Tilton is now a cattle procurement specialist for Cargill Inc., in Dodge City, Kan. Photo courtsey Travis Tilton
6 Rodeo fans can do the “rodeo ticket hustle” with less hassle beginning September 5 at 10 a.m. with a special pre-sale code for purchasing tickets ahead of wide release to the public September 9. Prices start at $30 for gallery seating and $50 for limited Plaza seating. Pre-sale access will be provided to FWSSR Whoa! newsletter subscribers via email September 3. Pre-sale access ends midnight September 8. Beginning September 5, follow these steps: CHOOSE YOUR PERFORMANCE • Best of the West Ranch Rodeo January 17 – 18 • Best of Mexico Celebración January 19 • Cowboys of Color Rodeo January 20 • Bulls’ Night Out January 21 – 22 • Texas Champions Challenge Rodeo January 23 • FWSSR RODEO Tournament January 24 – February 8 OR A SPECIAL DAY • Texas A&M Day January 23 • Pink Night January 28 • TCU Day January 30 • Military Appreciation Day February 3 • Texas Tech Day February 4 • Cook Children’s Day February 5 GO TO TICKETMASTER.COM SEPTEMBER 5 to enter the site for pre-sale access. Ticketmaster purchasing allows you to use your phone for ticketless entry into Dickies Arena, transfer tickets to others or sell your tickets to other fans. Beginning, September 9, speak to a Dickies Arena Box Office representative by dialing 817-502-0011. Normal hours for phone orders will be Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the Dickies Arena Box Office. The Box Office can be accessed from the southwest corner of Dickies Arena located at 1911 Montgomery Street. DON’T DELAY. BUY EARLY FOR BEST PRICING! THE INSIDE SCOOP ON RODEO TICKETS 2 6 1 3
7 FWSSR AWARDS TEXAS 4-H, FFA AND RODEO STUDENTS THOUSANDS IN SCHOLARSHIPS The end of the 2024 school year in June and July ushered in a summer that saw more than $200,000 in scholarships awarded to Texas 4-H and FFA student members, as well as student athlete members of the Texas High School Rodeo Association. A total of $96,000 was awarded to 12 Texas 4-H students who each received $8,000 during Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation ceremonies held in College Station in June. Winners included: Texas High School Rodeo Association students were the recipients of $16,000 in scholarships. Winners, from left to right, Zaran Kirkpatrick, Post, Texas; Harley Odom, Brookeland, Texas; Thatcher Baumann, Canyon, Texas; and Cooper Lane, Keller, Texas, each received a $4,000 scholarship during the THSRA finals from FWSSR Sponsorship Assistant Jared Hammer. A total of $140,000 in scholarships have been awarded to THSRA athletes since 2013. Texas FFA winners will receive $96,000 in awards during that state convention in Houston this month. Look for more on those winners in the September issue of Whoa! Ava Allensworth, Brazos County Ellen Boness, Tom Green County Hadley Dear, Randall County Emily Glaze, Wharton County Joshua Hayes, Denton County Ben Hensley, Waller County Whitney Kennedy, Carson County Davin Pena, Hidalgo County William Philipello, Brazos County Gabriela Ramirez, Hidalgo County Brooklyn Wiley, Guadalupe County Madelyn Williams, Cooke County 7
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99 Shooters from across North Texas can set their sights on a higher purpose – educating tomorrow’s leaders – when they enter the Shoot for Scholarships fundraiser clay tournament presented by AgTrust Farm Credit October 3 at Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch. “This tournament is a fantastic way for shooters to support youth from across Texas who are also shooting enthusiasts,” said FWSSR General Manager Matt Carter. “Not only is it a great day of shooting and a wonderful time with family and friends, it also provides a worthwhile purpose to support the Aim For Education scholarship program that awards thousands to students who will also compete for more than $25,000 in premiums in the Jr. Shooting Sports competition October 4 and 5.” Carter pointed out that shooting competitions are a great resource for students to learn the proper handling and safety techniques of a firearm. “Some may not be aware of how popular this sport is among high school students,” said Carter. “More than 50,000 student athletes across the nation compete on nearly 1,800 high school, home school and college shooting teams. These students can even make becoming an Olympic athlete a goal, and we encourage marksmen, sport shooters and hunters to make an investment in the future of these young people through the tournament.” Support of the event includes sponsorships, team and individual entries. Up to four shooters can be entered on a team with packages that include carts and station signs. Team packages range in price from $3,000, which includes up to three, four-person teams, three carts and three station signs to $750 for a single, four-person team. Individuals are welcome to join the fun at $200, while companies can add their brand to the event through a variety of flexible options by contacting FWSSR Special Events Manager Ashley Davis at ashley@fwssr.com. “This is one of the most enjoyable events we have all year for folks interested in supporting Texas youth in a specific area,” said Davis. “Funds raised through the tournament will go directly to youth competing in the Jr. Shooting Sports competition, as well to senior students who are eligible to compete for an additional $20,000 in scholarships.” JUNIOR SHOOTING SPORTS COMPETITION Shoot for Scholarships kicks off three days of activities centered around not only fund raising, but youth shooting competition and scholarship awards. Davis noted that side competitions called “Snooker” and “Super Sport” will be offered to youth competitors and adult leaders, while educational sessions will take place throughout the event for all ages on topics such as wildlife management, collegiate and professional shooting sports opportunities and shooting skill improvement. Food trucks will also be on hand and volunteers to assist at the event are also welcomed. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Ashley Davis at ashley@fwssr.com. OCTOBER 3 – SHOOT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDRAISER For adults wanting to enjoy an afternoon shooting clays while helping raise funds for the youth shooting initiatives, come join us for the Shoot for Scholarships Fundraiser. Compete for FWSSR trophy belt buckles awarded to the winning teams, as well as best overall female and male recognition. For more information, go to Shoot for Scholarships fundraiser info. To enter a team, click here. Entry deadline is September 27. OCTOBER 4-5 – JR. SHOOTING SPORTS COMPETITION Open to Texas 4-H and FFA members in grades 6 through 12, shooters will compete for more than $25,000 in premiums. Check-in and practice will be held October 4 from noon to 7 p.m. and a three-course, two-flight sporting clay tournament will be held October 5. Check-in, practice and side events will also occur on October 5. Competition will be held October 6 only in the case of inclement weather. Entries must be received by September 1. Go to the Jr. Shooting Sports Competition link for details and entry applications AIM FOR EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM High school seniors who participate in the Jr. Shooting Sports Competition are eligible for a piece of $20,000 that will be awarded in the Aim for Education scholarship program. Participants will take an online exam covering topics on shooting and wildlife/natural resource conservation. The online exam will be available September 9 —13. The top ten scoring contestants will advance to the finals where they’ll give a presentation to a three-judge panel on October 5 at Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch. Go to Aim for Education scholarship program for details and entry applications. SHOOTERS AIM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
10 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER SPOTLIGHT REAGAN ELLISON There’s no denying that the FWSSR calf scrambles held during each rodeo performance are thrilling to watch, but underneath the dirt and grime that fills every crevice of the scramblers’ clothes is the serious business of winning a purchase certificate for a heifer to be shown the following year and the potential of taking home up to $16,000 in scholarship money. Since the program’s inception, more than $4.5 million has been awarded to more than 1,700 students with $440,000 awarded in 2024 alone. Never one to get a little dirt in the way of progress, Reagan Ellison, who now makes her home in College Station, Texas, found her way to the rodeo floor for the calf scramble as a Johnson County 4-H’er in 2017 where she joined 15 other aspiring 4-H and FFA students hoping to be one of the 8 who would catch. “I had shown pigs my whole life and had never really dealt with cattle besides the cow-calf operation my family has,” said Ellison. “This was going to be my first time putting a halter on an animal. I was so nervous, I called a few people I knew who had either participated in the calf scramble or had worked it as a volunteer and I put together my strategy. I went over my strategy in my head as I was walking out in the arena, and as soon as the hat dropped, I didn’t move. That was the strategy.” The tactic worked as Ellison waited for the other scramblers to push the cattle back to her and she snagged a calf as it tried to slip past. While haltering the calf turned out to be a challenge, soon she was dragging the animal to the square. “I was the second person in the square and the first girl able to bring her calf in, and I had barely even gotten dirty!” she said. During 23 rodeo performances, the 230 youth who catch calves are awarded certificates valued at $500. Certificate proceeds are used to help purchase a beef or dairy heifer that participants care for and prepare for exhibition at the Stock Show the following year. The Calf Scramble’s greatest impact may be a youth’s college education. Those who complete the Calf Scramble program may be eligible for scholarships based on the quality and content of monthly reports submitted to Calf Scramble sponsors, the effort devoted to caring for and exhibiting their heifer and their final essay outlining their Calf Scramble experience. For Ellison, the catch garnered her not only the $500 purchase certificate but a $5,000 scholarship was also earned for her work in raising the heifer and reporting on her progress throughout the year. Ellison’s lifelong relationship with the Show goes far beyond the calf scramble, however. She says the Show always been a family affair, from watching her grandfather Gene Jernigan, an FWSSR director and honorary vice president, ride in the Stock Show parade to going to “Bulls Night Out” for 17 consecutive years for her mom, Cara’s, birthday in January. “My grandpa Gene has served as a beef cattle superintendent for 57 years and worked at the FWSSR Sale of Champions as a ringman for 43 years until he stepped down in 2023,” Ellison said, noting that she is now making her own memories. “From as far back as I can remember, my mom has been a buyer with the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate and would buy a champion barrow or a steer at the Sale of Champions. From the time I was four, she would take me back to the staging area where we would talk to the kids and their families before they entered the sale ring every year. These experiences got me so excited for the day I would finally be able to show livestock because I got to listen to the older kids’ stories with their animals.” Reagan Ellison captured a calf in 2017 to earn a $500 purchase certificate and eventually a $5,000 scholarship from the calf scramble. James Phifer photo 10 Reagan’s early influences came from her grandfather, long-time beef superintendent and Honorary Vice President Gene Jernigan. Photo courtsey Reagan Ellison
11 Ellison competed for the first time in 2010, making the FWSSR her first “major.” “I showed a Hampshire pig and actually walked through the sifting ring right behind the pig that would go on to win the Grand Champion that year,” she said. “I didn’t place or even get pulled that year, but that experience taught me a lot about how to handle defeat gracefully, as well as the strategy of showing. I went on to show more pigs at Fort Worth and even steers and heifers later in my showing career.” As the fourth generation of her family to compete in the FWSSR, Ellison already had a support system that not only showed her the proverbial ropes, but also helped her recognize that her future in agriculture would go far beyond her years as a student. “It’s because of this family legacy that my cousin and I got into showing at such a young age,” said Ellison. “My family knows the value of all the life lessons you learn, the wins, and even the losses, and how that can completely shape a kid’s future. In 2016, I chartered a new 4-H club (Community 4-H Club) in Johnson County because I believed in the value of 4-H and everything the 4-H program has to offer. Urban sprawl has taken over what was once a majority of agricultural land in Burleson, where I am from, and the knowledge gap in agriculture was becoming a cavern. I realized I had the perfect opportunity to expose them to agriculture through 4-H. I’m proud to say that the Club is still in place and has grown to the 2nd largest in Johnson County with the major assistance of my mom who is the volunteer leader, and I am now an adult volunteer with the Club.” Ellison said that the greatest lessons she’s learned from competing in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo have not come from success, but in the adversity often faced while moving toward success. “One of the biggest things the show taught me was how to handle adversity and not being at the top of the class,” she said. “You’re not always going to be the best animal in the ring, just like you’re not always going to be the smartest person in the room. But there is always something to learn from that person ahead of you. I also learned that there is always someone watching you in the ring and, therefore, to always strive to be a good role model for others. “These are things I still use in my everyday work life. In life, you are not always going to win. At that point, you determine what went wrong, you learn from it, and you try not to make the same mistake again. There’s nothing wrong with getting the “gate” sometimes, but it’s how you handle the walk there that determines who you are.” After completing her undergraduate studies in Ag Economics at Texas A&M in 2021 and receiving a Masters in Agricultural Communication from Texas Tech in 2023, Ellison is now working with A&M AgriLife Research in the Office of Corporate Engagement and Research Support. “I have the pleasure of working with corporations to pair them with agricultural research projects and endeavors at the 13 AgriLife Research centers across the state,” said Ellison. “I am blessed that I continue to have opportunities to be a part of the future of agriculture.” Ellison realizes that much of that success has also come because of the support she’s received through scholarships. “As a former exhibitor, I think I speak for every stock show kid when I say that the support of FWSSR, especially scholarships, means more to us than anyone realizes,” she emphasized. “Not only do the scholarships awarded assist us financially in college and beyond, but they go so much farther than just monetary value. Anyone who donates their time and money to FWSSR is not only showing their support of the ag industry but also their belief in stock show kids. I fully believe that each kid involved in the livestock industry has been taught indelible life lessons that put them on the path to being the future of this great state and country. And by being on the receiving end of such great support, you taught us the valuable lesson of paying it forward. I know I will continue to support the junior livestock show industry, the ag industry, and most importantly, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.” Ellison is one of four generations to compete at the Fort Worth Stock Show, including that of her mother, Cara, who continues to be her strongest champion. Photo courtesy Reagan Ellison 11 While Ellison most often showed pigs, her calf scramble participation put her in the cattle show ring as well.
1212 The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Art Contest, now in it’s 15th year, is establishing a strong record for enhancing opportunities for aspiring artists. Previous winners Gretchen Leffler and Max Stockdale are having their dreams come to life because of hard work aided and supported by the legendary contest that has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. The 2025 edition hopes to do the same as it accepts entries with a deadline of September 28. Winners will be notified by October 7 and an invitation only awards ceremony will be held October 26. Leffler, a three-time winner in the 3D category, says that without the FWSSR Art Contest, her interest in three-dimensional art might have faded to nothing. “I believe winning the 3D division at the FWSSR gave me the courage I needed to pursue art,” said the artist, who is currently working in Oregon on the stop motion film, Wildwood, with Laika Studios. “Having the opportunity to work in 3D and enter in such a well-presented contest really gave me the assurance I needed in my abilities as an artist. I still remember back in 2013, sitting in the room with all the other finalists. I would look back at my parents each time my name wasn’t called, believing I had no chance of winning, but in the end was the last name called and received a beautiful blue ribbon that is hanging proudly on my wall.” After winning $6,000 from 2013-2015, Leffler attended the highly-regarding Ringling College in Sarasota, Florida, followed by an internship with toymaker Hasbro and then worked as a 3D character sculptor at Disney World. Check out her work here. “I worked on ornaments, home décor and one Art of Disney piece that has my name on it, which is pretty neat,” she said. “I want to thank the FWSSR for adding the 3D division and for holding this contest for the aspiring artists, it truly helped me get to where I am today.” Stockdale, who attended Flower Mound High School, graduated this past spring from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Design and a minor in environmental and sustainability studies. His 2020 reserve championship for his piece titled, “An Old Friend,” earned him a $7,500 scholarship. “Taking AP studio art at Flower Mound, my teachers encouraged me to apply to art competitions and that’s how I learned about FWSSR,” he shared. “I submitted a watercolor thinking I wouldn’t even place but ended up receiving Reserve Grand Champion and a scholarship. I couldn’t believe it and I’m so grateful that I had a chance to be a part of this show.” Stockdale continues to work with CMU, where he most recently designed and fabricated a tapestry artwork for installation in the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion. Look at his portfolio here. “FWSSR helped me believe in myself more and the impact I could make. I’ve always had a passion for art and design but being recognized at this show helped me choose art and design as a career path,” Stockdale said. Many Fort Worth and other area school art teachers block out time for FWSSR art contest projects and one student, Ivory Vanover, has been entering since she was 7 years old representing the Keller school district. She has placed almost every year and will enter for 2025 in the 12-14 age group. FWSSR ART CONTEST PROVIDES PLATFORM FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS Deadline for Entry Sept 28; Winners to be featured during November Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition and Sale Gretchen Leffler won the last of three consecutive 3D sculptor wins with this Polish hen entry in 2015. FWSSR Photo A career highlight for Gretchen has been seeing her work appear in Disney World stores in Florida and Hong Kong. Photo Courtesy Gretchen Leffler
13 Max Stockdale was the 2020 reserve champion with this piece called “Old Friend,” earning $7,500. FWSSR Photo “The FWSSR Art Contest encourages me to continue exploring art by motivating me to try new mediums each year,” said the teen. “I have submitted pieces in acrylic, ink, watercolor, pencil and oil over the past 6 years.” The daughter of Tarrant County Judge Criminal Court Judge Chuck Vanover and his wife, Stacie, Ivory’s work has also been seen in Stone Soup magazine, the nonprofit literary magazine written and illustrated exclusively by kids. Over the years, she’s earned approximately $1,000 for her work from the contest, which she says has served as a good basis for furthering her art and how it might be used in her professional career. “I think art will be something I will continue to enjoy and will help in my profession,” she said. “I have an interest reconstruction plastic surgery, which is one area where I can apply my art training experience.” STARTING THE JOURNEY The Stock Show Art Contest offers Texas youth ages five to 18 the chance to enter their original works of art depicting or expressing the culture of Texas and western environments. More than $80,000 will be awarded to students who can be enrolled in public, private or home schools, while teachers can win $5,000 for their classrooms. First place entries in each age division will be sold at the Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition & Sale November 1-2 to increase their scholarship awards. In addition, champion, reserve champion, first place in the 3-D Division, and the high school classroom champion will be invited to a one-day art workshop hosted by the Cowboy Artists of America during the 2025 FWSSR. Entering is FREE and each submission will receive two one-day passes to gain admission to the FWSSR grounds. Every entry will be on display during the 23 days of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Click here for entry information. The FWSSR Art Contest has awarded nearly a half million dollars in scholarships and funding grants to students and their teachers since its start in 2011. It is supported by The Amon G. Carter Foundation, Debbie & Albon Head, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP, the Ann L. and Carol Green Rhodes Charitable Trust, Marsh McLennan Agency, Brumbaugh’s Fine Home Furnishing and Whataburger. Stockdale says his involvement with the FWSSR Art Contest helped solidify his choice to make art a career. Photo Courtesy Max Stockdale This tufted carpet was part of Stockdale’s senior design project at Carnegie Mellon University. Photo Courtesy Max Stockdale Ivory Vanover has been entering the art contest since age 9 and says her skills will help her goal to become a reconstructive plastic surgeon. Photo Courtesy Stacie Vanover Vanover’s work has appeared on the cover of Stone Soup Magazine. Photo Courtesy Stacie Vanover 13
14 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT MIKE MICALLEF If you know Mike Micallef, you’re not surprised to see him scurrying across the vast Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo grounds each year. Serving as president of Reata Restaurant, he and his staff feed hundreds of Stock Show guests daily. On the other hand, the humble and affable gentleman is also quite conspicuous as he also goes about filling volunteer roles that benefit the Stock Show’s mission. Regardless, if you know him on a personal level, it’s his devotion to the Show and the city he loves that resonates with friends and acquaintances. “I’m very fortunate,” said Micallef. “We have a great team at Reata; they run the shifts far better than I can. I really function in a business development role for Reata during the FWSSR, connecting with many of our customers who support us year round. This also allows me to float between the Reata locations and if there is an issue or problem I can jump in if something needs to be picked up or delivered. I’m always available.” Floating, picking up and delivering things between locations means lots of walking and the restauranteur with a large social media presence created a unique Stock Show contest years ago. “The idea came about because I’m always walking around the Stock Show grounds and I was interested in how many steps I took,” he said. “I created a contest where people guess how many steps I take. Whoever is the closest chooses a charity and I donate $200. Last year the donation went to the Texas German Shorthair Rescue.” MICALLEF / REATA / FWSSR BEGINNINGS Micallef’s Stock Show presence dates to 2004 when he took on important roles of various family-owned organizations which included the popular restaurant. By then Reata was already becoming a mainstay with hungry Stock Show attendees. “Reata’s Stock Show involvement really started in 2002,” said Micallef. “Our original downtown Fort Worth location was hit by a tornado in March of 2000. We were closed for 42 days and were able to reopen that location temporarily but had to relocate in 2001, leaving us without a full-service restaurant. During that time we started catering around Fort Worth and opened the first ‘Reata at the Rodeo’ at the 2002 Stock Show across from the exhibit [consumer trade show] halls. It consisted of one room that seated about 60 people, and a tent behind the hall to cook in. One of the things I’m most proud of is the great meals my team is able to turn out consistently without a kitchen.” The meager Stock Show beginning in the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibit Hall proved to be the start of a much larger presence which Micallef personally spearheaded. “That location was so popular that we were able to expand to a second room,” he said. “We were given the opportunity to take over the Backstage Club, in the Will Rogers Coliseum, in 2008 followed by the opening of La Espuela, in the Moncrief Building, for the 2010 Stock Show.” Reata now also caters several special FWSSR events each year. 14 Fort Worth restauranteur Mike Micallef is frequently visable on the show grounds, not only working between two Reata and La Espuela Mexican restaurant locations, but as a volunteer in other areas, as well. Photo courtesy Mike Micallef
1515 STEPPING UP TO VOLUNTEER Being born and raised in Fort Worth, Micallef grew up attending the Stock Show like thousands of other loyal supporters. It was natural for him to step up and take on additional roles beyond his Reata responsibilities that tapped into his personal passions and devotion to the city he calls home. Specifically, he’s most committed to supporting youth participation. Not long after Reata’s FWSSR partnership began, Micallef joined the Stock Show’s Ag Development Fund committee which raises funds to support junior livestock exhibitors with cash premium awards and floor price support for junior livestock show market animals (steers, lambs, goats and barrows). He was quick to take on additional responsibilities. “Shooting sports is a personal passion for me and I’ve been on that committee for the last three years,” he said. “I’ve also been a judge for showmanship for the Jr. Ag Mechanics competition which is a lot of fun. Being a garage welder it’s great to see all the projects and I’m always impressed on how well these kids present their projects.” One Jr. Ag Mechanics exhibitor’s creativity sticks out in Micallef’s mind and underscores how Stock Show youth can rise to any occasion. “I have many great memories,” Micallef said. “One of the favorites is from the ag mechanics show. A young man had built a wind generator from parts that he totally found in the junkyard. I was incredibly impressed that he figured out how to make a wind generator from scrap parts. I believe he even figured out how to use a discarded washing machine motor in the design and construction of the project.” But his service on the Justin Mutton Bustin’ committee may serve as a precursor for the most enriching Stock Show memories to come for Micallef. He’s quick to note the enjoyment he gets from being down on the arena floor for the popular rodeo feature. “I probably know half the parents with kids who are in mutton bustin’ so it’s just a great way to spend the end of the night watching cute little cowboys and cowgirls ride a sheep and try to win a big trophy,” said Micallef who will soon become a parent himself. The longtime bachelor married Kendall Shirey last year and the couple are expecting their first child – a girl – later this month. Hopefully the Micallef family’s Stock Show legacy will be picked up by the next generation when an eager little girl eases down on a sheep to ride for a big trophy in front of excited parents on the Dickies Arena dirt during the 2030 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Micallef and his wife, Kendall Shirey, will welcome a baby girl later this month. Photo courtesy Mike Micallef. “I created a contest where people guess how many steps I take. Whoever is the closest chooses a charity and I donate $200. Last year the donation went to the Texas German Shorthair Rescue.” - Mike Micallef
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17 AND TO MANY MORE SUPPORTERS WHO HELP MAKE THE STOCK SHOW A WORLD-CLASS EVENT. MAJOR SPONSORS A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR OFFICIAL STOCK SHOW PRODUCTS & SERVICES • Western Apparel: Ariat • Beer: Anheuser-Busch • Casino and Resort: Choctaw Casinos & Resorts • Automotive: Chevrolet • Workwear: Dickies® • Satellite and Streaming Video Service: DIRECTV • Mattresses and Massage Chairs: Mattress Firm® • Energy Provider: Reliant • Bank: Simmons Bank • Health System: Texas Health • Whiskey: TX Whiskey • Soft Drink: Pepsi® MEDIA SPONSORS • 95.9 The Ranch / 92.1 Hank FM Grounds Announcements and Music • La Grande 107.5 FM / Puro Tejano Fierro 107.5 HD2 co-presents Best of Mexico Celebración and Dia de la Familia • NBC 5 presents Rodeo Leaderboard • Telemundo 39 co-presents Best of Mexico Celebración, Dia de la Familia and presents Cowboys of Color Rodeo STOCK SHOW ART CONTEST SPONSORS • The Amon G. Carter Foundation • Debbie & Albon Head • Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP • Ann L. and Carol Green Rhodes Charitable Trust • Marsh McLennan Agency • Brumbaugh’s Fine Home Furnishings • Whataburger SPECIAL EVENT SPONSORS • AgTrust Farm Credit presents Chuck Wagons, Livestock Appreciation Day Luncheon, Mustang Magic, NTHSRA Scholarship Rodeo and Shooting Sports • Airpower Foundation Military Appreciation Day Supporter • Ariat presents Auditorium Entertainment Series, co-presents Best of the West Ranch Rodeos, Ranching Heritage Weekend and Arena Crew Shirts • Bank of Texas Chuck Wagon Sponsor • Big Tex / Trailers Direct presents Ranch Rodeo Champion Team Trailers • BNSF Railway presents Steer Wrestling • Boot Barn® presents Breakaway Roping • Brumbaugh’s Fine Home Furnishings Ranch Rodeo Awards and Art Contest • Bud Light® Roadhouse and Busch Light® Chuck Wagon Sponsor • Cavender’s Boot City Chuck Wagon Sponsor and co-presents Arena Crew Shirts • Central Market presents the Moo-seum Experience and supports Vine 2 Wine “Wine Camps” • Chase presents Barrel Racing • Chicken Express Chuck Wagon Sponsor • Chick-fil-A Rodeo Crowd Engagement Sponsor • Choctaw Casinos & Resorts presents Aerial Rodeo Camera • Dickies Chuck Wagon Sponsor and Dickies Day • Enterprise Holdings Foundation Scholarship Programs • Frost presents Bareback Bronc Riding and Justin Mutton Bustin’® • Los Pastores Restaurant and Athena’s Furniture co-presents the Charro Cala Escaramuza and Mariachi Competitions • Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services presents Pony Up! 50/50 Raffle • HOLT CAT presents Texas Champions Challenge, Tower Promenade and Scholarship Programs • Junior Agricultural Mechanics Project Show and Texas M.A.D.E. Sponsors: HOLT CAT, Andes Coil Processors, Big Tex, Lincoln Electric, Norfolk Iron & Metal, Miller/Hobart, ONEOK, Panther City Industrial Supply, Priefert, RDO Equipment Co., Harris Products Group, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Saint-Gobain, United Ag & Turf and Vermeer Texas-Louisiana • Justin Brands, Inc. presents Scramble Fore Scholarships, Justin Sportsmedicine Team and co-presents Justin Mutton Bustin’® and Calf Scramble • Kendra Scott presents Sip & Shop • Lockheed Martin Corporation Jr. Ag Robotics Challenge Sponsor • Lovelace Law, P.C. presents Bubbles & Bites • Mattress Firm® presents Bull Riding, Rodeo Replay and Petting Zoo • Meta Jr. Ag Robotics Challenge Sponsor • National Farm Life Insurance presents Poultry, Pigeon and Rabbit shows • North Texas Tollway Authority presents TollTag Tuesdays • Oak Farms Dairy Dairy Cattle Judging Contest Buckles, Lunch and Dinner Sponsor • Oncor Mobile Jumbotron • PlainsCapital Bank presents Bulls’ Night Out • R. Watson Boots presents Tie-Down Roping • Texas Department of Agriculture presents GO TEXAN Market • Texas Farm Bureau Insurance® sponsors Doorways to Agriculture produced by Texas Farm Bureau® • Texas Health Chuck Wagon Sponsor • Texas Hot Tub Company Scholarship Programs • Texas Mutual Insurance Co. co-presents Calf Scramble • TX Whiskey presents Saddle Bronc Riding • UMB Bank presents Team Roping and Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge • Visit Fort Worth presents Music Experience and Sunday FUNday
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