Tri-State Fair & Rodeo names 5 finalists for inaugural $25,000 ambassador scholarship

The Tri-State Fair & Rodeo has announced five finalists for the inaugural Tri-State Fair Ambassador Scholarship.

The 2025 finalists are Gunnar McConlogue from Canyon High School, Maggie Meeks from Dalhart High School, Sydney Nickson from Amarillo High School, Addilyn Reed from Kress High School and Tate Wilhelm from Canadian High School.

The Tri-State Fair & Rodeo said the goal of the program is to identify outstanding area students that excel in leadership, integrity and community involvement. Each finalist will participate in an in-person interview on April 10, where they will present to a panel of judges and answer questions about their connection to the mission of the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo and vision for the ambassadorship.

The winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship and the prestigious title of Tri-State Fair Ambassador, representing the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo throughout their senior year of high school.

“This scholarship will give one high school junior a platform to represent our longstanding, nonprofit organization, further develop their leadership skills and promote the mission of the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, not to mention the invaluable experience engaging with the community,” said Brady Ragland, CEO of the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo. “We are incredibly proud of this program.”

The Tri-State Fair & Rodeo is committed to fostering youth development and supporting the next generation of leaders through scholarships and educational programs. The Ambassador Scholarship, new in 2025, is a cornerstone of this commitment, recognizing students who embody values that align with the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo.

The 2025 winner will be announced following the interview process. Stay tuned for updates and join them in celebrating these remarkable students. For more information, visit tristatefair.com or contact Lauren Fritzler at lauren@tristateexpo.com.

Other community news

Two Texas Panhandle youths came back with big wins from the recent Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as Junior Market Steer Champions. Grand Champion Jacob Schickedanz, 16, of Perryton sold his black crossbred steer, Kareem, at the Houston event for $675,000, and Reserve Grand Champion Jett Hale, 17, of Miami broke a record with his Charolais Cross steer, Mike, selling for $690,000, according to media reports. “(The judge) looked at (my steer) when the Reserve Grand Champions were walking around,” Jacob said. “I thought maybe I had a shot then.”

This week's Furry Friend from the Amarillo Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is Hudson, a young male Husky. "Hudson is a gorgeous looking dog in his black & cream colored coat. A super sweet guy, who is certainly people friendly; dog friendly as well. Hudson needs a 'forever' home of his own." APSCA adoptions can be made at the shelter, 11901 S. Coulter, noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more info, call 806-622-0555, or visit www.amarillospcashelter.com or www.adoptapet.com.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo said tickets are selling fast for Amarillo’s 3rd Wine Women & Shoes, but there’s still time to secure them before the event. The fun-filled evening takes place April 24 at 6 p.m. at Arts in the Sunset. It will include wine tasting, designer shopping, culinary delights, live and silent auctions, a raffle, fashion show and more. All proceeds go toward RMHC's mission to provide comfort, care, and support to families of children receiving medical treatment in the community. For more, visit https://www.rmhcofamarillo.org/wws2025/

The Bridge Children's Advocacy Center and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services are among area agencies working to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Events officially began Tuesday with The Bridge's sold-out Heroes & Legends: Striking Out Child Abuse event with Roger Clemens. Events this week include The Bridge's annual Pinwheel Ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday at 804 Quail Creek, Go Blue Lubbock Kickoff on Wednesday at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and the Paint Cadillac Ranch Blue event Friday. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, contact the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or report online at TxAbuseHotline.org.

Physicians Surgical Hospitals, Quail Creek campus recently completed its 100th Inspire procedure, a treatment option for those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. OSA affects 22 million Americans. When left untreated, it doesn’t just affect one person, but also those around them. The Inspire system is implanted during a short, outpatient procedure. Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation opens the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn Inspire on before bed and off when they wake up.

A Handy Gal 101 Workshop will be held 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 12. The Lucille and Leo Caiafa, Jr. Center for Advancement has partnered with Cadre Fuller Construction, Amarillo Custom Coatings and the Amarillo Fire Department to offer the workshop at their location at 2308 SW 7th St. in Amarillo. The workshop is free and open to any woman in the community and will have door prizes and refreshments for attendees. The hands-on workshop will include sessions on topics such as basic plumbing and electrical, tools for every job, flooring repair, drywall repair, heat/air unit maintenance and fire safety. Register by April 9 by calling 806-358-7803, email cfa@sharinghopeministry.org or online at https://form.jotform.com/231495669649172 .

Mission Amarillo's shoe closet has given away 1,406 pairs of shoes this school year, according to the organization. While they are on pace to past last year's total of 1,607, they're aiming to collect shoes in particular during June and July to be ready for August, when they regularly give away 250-325 pairs of shoes.

Raising Cane’s has launched a limited-edition Golden Plush Puppy, with 100% of net proceeds from in-restaurant sales benefiting local pet organization Amarillo SPCA. The Golden Plush Puppy is inspired by the brand’s namesake dog, Cane and is available in-Restaurant and online for $9.99, now through April 29.

DHDC’s Summer Camp Discovery is officially open for registration. Caregivers have eight themes to choose from over the summer. Each weekly theme is packed with age-appropriate activities, crafts, science demonstrations, discovery, and fun: Blueprints & Beyond (June 2-6), Dino Discovery (June 9-13), Expedition Earth (June 16-20), Underwater Wonders (June 23-27), The Science of Art (June 30-July 3), Space Explorers (July 7-11), Animal Explorers (July 14-18), Code Makers (July 21-25). The July 4 week is split into individual day camps due to the holiday. Spots are limited; to register, for pricing and more information, visit DHDC.org.

The connections between Roman law and the U.S. Constitution, among other topics, will be in the spotlight in the next installment of West Texas A&M University’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Dr. Lukasz Korporwicz, associate professor in the Department of Roman Law and vice dean for research at the University of Lodz in Poland, will offer “Sophisticated Legal Tradition? On the Relation Between Common, Canon and Civil Law Once Again”at 7 p.m. April 3 in the Thunder Room in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center on WT’s Canyon campus.

Amarillo Independent School District's retiring superintendent Doug Loomis is being honored by the establishment of a professorship and an endowed scholarship in his name at West Texas A&M University through the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences. Loomis, who earned his master’s in education from WT, announced in October that he would retire effective June 30. Loomis said he is “deeply honored and profoundly humbled by the establishment of this professorship and scholarship" in his name at WT.

The Amarillo Fire Department has shared about a community-led effort to install Amarillo’s first Safe Haven Baby Box. The initiative builds on Texas’ Baby Moses Law, which allows parents to safely surrender newborns at designated locations like fire stations. This project honors past stories of surrender, including one that took place at Station 13 just a few years ago. To learn more about the initiative or how you can help, visit https://www.shbb.org/