Scholarship Opportunities Help Students Move Forward To Meet Educational Goals by Henry King The most recent addition to the roster of scholarships available to young exhibitors of Texas Longhorns is the TLBAA-sponsored Bright Futures Scholarship Program. It joins the established Mosser Family Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Autobahn Motorcar Group Youth Scholarship Tour. While all of these have different criteria for eligibility, the common denominator is the requirement that the recipients exhibit Texas Longhorn cattle. The Autobahn Tour is in its eleventh year of philanthropy while the Mosser Family Fund has been providing scholarships for five years. The Autobahn Tour, established in 2000 by John and Diann Chase, holds two shows a year – the Autobahn Classic in February and the Autobahn Super Stakes in August, both held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to five-deep class placements, scholarships are awarded for showmanship, team penning, speech contest, quiz, art and photo contest, the Laura Harding Perseverance Award and essay contest. Over 600 youth have Tour scholarship accounts totaling nearly $1.5 million. The Mosser Family Memorial Fund was established by Rex Mosser, Midway, Texas, to honor the memory of his wife, Vicki, and their son, Phillip. Other TLBAA members added to the initial funding, and donation heifers at various sales continue to be auctioned to benefit the fund, which is administered by Dr. Zech Dameron, III. “Until this year,” said Dameron, “everyone who applied got a scholarship. We’ve had some real success stories and I’m very proud of them.” And the recipients do not have to be current members of the Texas Longhorn Breeders of Tomorrow (TLBT). Julie Pack is an example of a former TLBT member who has received several Mosser scholarships. Julie is several years away from high school and the TLBT, having completed her undergraduate studies at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. She then went to Texas A&M for a Master of Science in Reproductive Physiology. After August 2011
that she went back to Tarleton State University and got a second Master of Science in Biology, and has now completed her first year in Veterinary School at Texas A&M.
starting point for their college careers. Blinn is a two-year academic institution that offers co-enrollment and automatic transfer programs with Texas A&M and Sam Houston State University.
Kathryn Head, daughter of Stephen and Kimberly Head, Angleton, TX, is another multiple recipient of Mosser scholarships. She lacks two more semesters at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas, majoring in Animal Science/Pre-Vet. She plans to enter the vet school at Texas A&M, and upon graduation, become a large animal veterinarian working with either zoo animals or livestock. Kathryn has been around Texas Longhorns all her life, and competed in shows since she was eight years old. She is an Honors Graduate of Angleton High School where she also won tennis championships in singles and mixed doubles.
Abigail Faske, like her siblings, was home schooled with basic education courses, and in her case, some elective business classes and college prep. After two years at Blinn, she plans to go to Texas A&M where she plans to combine a business management degree with jewelry design. She loves drawing, would like to create designs for customers and wants to have her own business. Abigail showed Longhorns five years, has served TLBT as a director, and from 2009-2011 was TLBT Secretary.
Matthew Head, Kathryn’s brother, will enter the University of Texas, Austin, with both a Bright Futures and Mosser scholarships. He began showing cattle when he was six years old and in Kindergarten; among his many Longhorn accomplishments, he earned the prestigious All Around Exhibitor award at the 2010 Autobahn Super Stakes. His Angleton High School accomplishments include National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, three year academic award, three year letterman in tennis, captain of the varsity tennis team his senior year, and graduated number 15 out of 486 students. He seeks a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at the University of Texas with plans to attend seminary at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, to obtain a master’s degree in theology or divinity. Three youngsters from the Faske family of Somerville, Texas – Abigail, Jacob and Andrew -- have received scholarships this year. All three will have Bright Futures scholarships, and both Jacob and Andrew will also have Mosser Family scholarships. Blinn College in Brenham is or will be the
Jacob Faske will focus on applied sciences and Ag Marketing at Blinn College, then transfer to Texas A&M to get a degree in Animal Science. He credits neighbor Darlene Aldridge, DVM with getting his family involved with Texas Longhorns, and he plans to have his own herd someday. Jacob has served the TLBT as Senior Director, Vice-President and as President. Last year, the family went to twenty-some shows, but he says he will cut back some this year due to the demands of college. Andrew Faske enjoyed doing anything that helped raise money for the TLBT, and although he held no office, he was able to help in sales of raffle tickets, tee shirts, bandanas and sweat shirts. Following his two years at Blinn College, he plans to transfer to Texas A&M in pursuit of a Bachelor Degree in Animal Science. Already skilled in trimming cattle hooves, he plans to attend Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School, Ardmore, Oklahoma once he completes his academic studies at A&M. Lindsey Rooker is the daughter of Kevin and Laury Rooker, Poolville,
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