FWSSR 2021 Summer Newsletter

West Columbia, Texas, is about five hours south of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. More specifically, it is about 55 miles south of Houston. Bear this in mind when you consider that Gracey Leopold, from West Columbia, has competed at the FWSSR since 2018, and is the grateful recipient of an $8,000 scholarship this year, part of the FWSSR’s six-fold increase in support for Texas 4-H and Texas FFA. Each summer at the Texas 4-H State Roundup and the Texas FFA Convention, members are recognized for their accomplishments and to celebrate the impact the organizations have, not just on Texas youth, but society at large. The Stock Show presented 24 scholarships to deserving 4-H and FFA members at the Texas State 4-H Roundup in June and the Texas FFA Convention in July. Leopold has earned additional FWSSR scholarships by participating in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Calf Scrambles, an event that appeals to her competitive spirit. “I love the Calf Scramble,” she said. “One of my favorite parts is walking out to the starting line and seeing my family waving from the stands. I do like the adrenaline and the fun!” That competitive spirit has been evident all her life. Leopold explained that as a small child she and her grandfather canned fig jam, which she entered in the local county show. Through 4-H in junior high and FFA in high school, she showed goats, pigs and cattle. During her senior year at Sweeny High School, from which she graduated this year, she decided to do it all showing pigs, goats, commercial heifers, a pen of three commercial females, registered Beefmaster heifers and competing in ag mechanics. She was also named the 2020 Brazoria County Fair Queen. But why travel five hours to compete? Leopold explained, “My sister Madi competed at Fort Worth her senior year and we fell in love with the Stock Show. We love the town of Fort Worth,” she said, referring to Madi and parents Chance and Linda Leopold. “The people who run the FWSSR are some of the nicest people we’ve ever met. “Seeing how they run such a massive show and give back to the agriculture industry has inspired me to do that in my own life,” she said. Leopold will study Agricultural Leadership and Development at Texas A&M University, College Station, this fall and she hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in public policy supporting agricultural interests. Leopold is a member of the 2021-2022 Texas FFA state officer team, serving as vice president for Area III, which covers Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Harris counties. Since these counties contain large urban centers, Leopold knows she will meet students and parents with little or no agricultural experience. She encourages those parents to support their children’s curiosity about FFA. “Parents will see their kids learning responsibility and leadership skills through FFA. They will see their kids gain a sense of responsibility that will help them past high school, past college and on in life,” she said. “We’re proud to support young leaders likeGracey Leopold, a tremendous example of dedication, focus and drive,” said Brad Barnes, Stock Show Stock Show president and general manager. 9 STOCK SHOW HONORS YOUNG LEADER’S COMPETITIVE SPIRIT WITH SCHOLARSHIP