The 2025 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) ended last week, and three Whitesboro students came home with wins.
Paizlee Akins, a 4-H member from Whitesboro, earned Reserve Grand Champion Wether Goat and Light Weight Champion Wether Goat in the Holstein breed at the FWSSR on Jan. 21.
Clayton “Wyatt” St. John, a FFA member from Whitesboro, earned Senior Champion Heifer with KJM KJ47 in the Beefmaster heifer division at the FWSSR on Jan. 25.
The 2025 Show hosted junior exhibitors from across Texas competing for awards and more than $243,000 in premiums, including $36,300 in Junior Dairy Cattle premiums and $35,900 in Junior Breeding Heifer Show premiums.
Cooper Cason, a member of Whitesboro FFA, caught a calf during the FWSSR Calf Scramble, earning a $500 purchase certificate for a show heifer and the chance for up to $16,000 in scholarship awards.
Cason is the son of Darrell Cason and Melody Klas. His award was sponsored by Winscott Ranch.
One of the Stock Show’s most iconic and popular events, the Calf Scramble gives 20 students an opportunity to catch one of 10 calves during 22 performances of the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo held Jan. 17 through Feb. 8.
Those not catching calves receive a pair of Justin Boots courtesy of the iconic western footwear maker. Justin Boots and Texas Mutual Insurance Company are overall underwriters for the legendary Calf Scramble Program.
The FWSSR takes pride in providing agriculture and livestock production learning opportunities through livestock shows, judging contests and other competitions that test their knowledge and skills in areas including robotics, wildlife and habitat management, horticulture and equine care and production to name a few.
Both 4-H and FFA members from more than 239 of Texas’ 254 counties have the opportunity to compete for premium awards, scholarships and the chance to sell their animals in the Jr. Sale of Champions.
Their experiences enlighten them on the importance of natural resource stewardship and feeding a growing global population.
“Helping today’s youth become tomorrow’s leaders goes to the heart of the mission of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo,” said FWSSR General Manager Matt Carter. “Regardless of where their career path takes them, the experiences and lessons learned here are invaluable.”