Excellent Extravaganza

Go Texan Go! Bosque County Go Texan 14th Annual Extravaganza fundraiser proclaimed "best ever" with record funds and scholarships raised

CLIFTON – It was more Vegas, Baby! than Rhinestone Cowboy, but the guests to the event understood the “Bring the Bling and Cash” assignment and came dressed to the nines. There were sequined dresses, gold brocade jackets, ladies dripping with rhinestones, shiny jumpsuits, extravagant boots and Southwestern style belts and jewelry. Going with the fundraiser’s theme, and getting them in further into the festive mood, guests were greeted with a glass of glitter bubbly.

The guests to the 14th Annual Go Texan Extravaganza filled the Bosque Arts Center’s Tin Building Theatre and BAC Atrium on April 13 all came to party in support of the Bosque County Go Texan’s goal to provide scholarships for graduating Bosque County youth, so they can further their education and become productive citizens in society.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, sponsors and participation in this annual fundraiser, the Go Texan Committee raised nearly $60,000, and will be awarding $34,000 in scholarships, which far exceeded last year’s amount of $21,000 – which it itself was better than the year before. The continued and growing support allows the Area Go Texan to get bigger and better each year. This year’s raised funds allowed the committee to award scholarships to all students applying.

“As small as our county is, we raise some good money for the youth,” Go Texan Committee Chair person Amanda Alley said. “The generosity we see from people is wonderful, and much needed. Raising a child costs a lot of money, and even more to send them to school after high school. Our goal is to help the kids further their education, and we want to help as many youth as possible. As a committee we feel it is our responsibility to help them become productive citizens.”

In part the evening’s success of thanks to the present enthusiastic, hardworking and active Go Texan Committee – the largest in years – consisting of 16 people: District Chairperson Amanda Alley, Assistant District Chairperson Michele Valdez, secretary Kathy Winters, Colin Jozwiack, Justin Lee, the Knox family with Caylene, Lori, Madison, William and Craig, Julie McClair, Kurtis McMillan, Brandy Pullin, Jennifer Ramsey, Jeannie Stacks. Longest standing member Mary Ann Brandenburger, took over her dad’s seat – he was one of the funding members back in 1986.

Many of the founding members also are big contributors and supporters of the Central Texas Youth Fair and the Agrilife Extension Hay Show that also strive to provide scholarships to youth interested in agriculture projects and education.

Each present Area Go Texan Committee member, many who have roots in the ranching and farming community, or just want to help youth become successful in their lives, brings their own special talents and network to the table, resulting in excellent team work and results.

“We have a great crew,” Alley said. “Many of our members are from ranching and farming families, a testament to who we support. Each member of the committee is there for the same reason. We love to give to a cause we are passionate about. And Houston gives out more scholarship money than any other livestock show. It is undeniably the largest and best by far, with some of our members being a part of the Houston Coral Club.”

Since the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo began in 1932, more than $600 million has been committed to the youth of Texas and education.

What does any living creature need to survive? It all boils down to water, food and shelter. Additionally, people need clothing and tools. And going back to those basics, the common thread in everything the Area Go Texan Committee does is to remember that everybody goes hungry and is naked without ranchers and farmers. They are the people that produce what society truly needs to survive, along with other trade people.

Each Area Go Texan county is its own 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which raises additional funds above the HLSR sponsored scholarship to support more county scholarships to deserving local students. This year’s fundraising efforts allows the committee to award scholarships to all applicants. In Bosque County, the Area Go Texan Committee recently changed their bylaws to include students seeking to further education at vocational schools as applicants.

“We push the importance of vocational schools,” Alley said. “For us, it’s all about learning a trade and being a productive citizen.”

Alley, whose husband was an Ag teacher and whose children showed livestock projects, is committee chairperson since 2023, became an area Go Texan member in 2016. Over six generations of Alley’s have owned and operated a cattle ranch in Texas. Alley’s family continues this heritage, residing near the Bosque and Hamilton County line. She is not afraid to push change to increase the result of the committee’s fundraising efforts.

This year’s fundraiser offered the guests several different ways to donate from “spin the bottle” for a bottle of wine, stretch raffle items, a 52-card draw raffle for three different fire arms, nine tables filled with a wide array of silent auction items thanks to local businesses and organizations. Even Bosque County Sheriff Trace Hendricks pitched in, offering a guided fishing trip on Lake Whitney.

The live auction with auctioneer Mike Cassidy offered items ranging from whiskey, to beautiful horse tack by Brandon Franco, to a custom Texas A&M jeans jacket to Mexican vacations included three items from local Future Farmers of America chapters – a dice lawn game from Iredell, a horseshoe coat hanger rack from Walnut Springs and a sheep and goat feeder from Cranfills Gap. Cassidy reminded the guests to consider the added value of offering further education opportunities for Bosque County youth, not just the actual value of the item.

Art included "A Bootscootin’ Burro," original art from local artist Judy Parton and signed, matted and framed numbered giclee prints from the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion of the 2023 HSLR art show.

The Grand Champion Work of Art, a painting titled “Our Last Roundup” created by Mia Huckman, 18, of Lamar CISD, sold for $275,000, a new Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo record. The Reserve Grand Champion Work of Art was a painting named “Morning Dove” created by Eliza Hoffman, 17 sold for $185,000. At the Bosque County Go Texan Extravaganza, the art work brought in $4900.

As a special thank you from the Go Texan Committee, the sponsor tables found a personalized engraved beautiful crystal carafe at their tables. Showing their commitment to youth education, Whiskey Canyon Ranch donated an additional $3,000 to their sponsor table contribution.

During Happy Hour and the tasty steak tip dinner, Donna Beckham trio from West entertained the guests with a wonderful mix of country rock and folk songs. After dinner it was time to bootscoot to another local artist, Gary Anderson from Walnut Springs on guitar and his fiddle player.

In 2024, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (the “Show”) awards 79 four-year, $20,000 Area Go Texan Scholarships to outstanding students graduating from public school districts in counties participating in the Show's Area Go Texan program. Recipients will be expected to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship Celebration to be held in Houston in June 2024.

In the past several Bosque County students qualified. Last year valedictorian of his graduating class at Cranfills Gap High School, Case Koehler was the proud recipient of the substantial scholarship. He is attending Texas A&M. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's educational programs are a significant part of the Show's goals of benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation.

All recipients of Show scholarships must demonstrate academic potential being in the top 33 percent of their class of a public school in a country participating in the Area Go Texan Program, must be a United States citizen and a Texas resident, seek a bachelor’s degree at a not-for-profit Texas college or university, show leadership skills and participate in community service.

Many, many guests qualified for the evening’s Best Dressed, but after much deliberation the Bosque County Go Texan Committee voted Alexis Wellman winner, personifying the evening’s theme, adorning herself with gorgeous silver and turquoise jewelry, highlighting an exquisite sequined mini dress with contrasting salmon-colored hat and boots. She won a 24-carat amethyst, donated by Cliff View Resort. Her male counterpart Mike Kubiak stole the show with his gold brocade jacket and classy black slacks.

Aiming even higher, Alley thinks a bigger venue will be needed for next year’s event. And for those that were not able to attend this year’s event and wish to donate, please contact Alley at 254-596-4663 or amanda@alleyHL.com.