One of the ways GVEC delivers more to the communities we serve is by sponsoring youth programs and education. Our GVEC scholarship program is a prime example of this. However, sometimes our support of youth and education is less direct, as in supporting organizations with those common objectives—like local Area Go Texan committees such as the one in Gonzales County.
What is Area Go Texan?
Area Go Texan committees are volunteer organizations affiliated with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). County Area Go Texan committees promote HLSR through ticket sales and show participation. HLSR annually awards 79 four-year $20,000 scholarships to students graduating from public schools in the 68 counties participating in the Area Go Texan program. Eight of the 13 counties GVEC serves are Area Go Texan participants.
Aside from the HLSR Area Go Texan Scholarships, most county Area Go Texan committees host events to raise additional funds for their own county-specific scholarships, awarded to a number of additional local students as well. One such event is the “Steak Night” fundraiser hosted by the Gonzales County Area Go Texan (GCAGT) team each year.
Steaks and Scholarships
The GCAGT committee is made up of 19 members. Their annual Steak Night includes a delicious ribeye steak dinner, silent auction, live auction, raffles and entertainment. They sell corporate tables as well as individual tickets to the event and normally host about 500 guests.
Their goal is for as much money raised as possible to go towards the local scholarships they award annually. This means the committee members themselves (and some supportive family and friends) do the event set up, decorating, meal preparation, cooking, and serving. As a result, GCAGT gives an average of $60,000 to $75,000 in local scholarships to graduating students from Gonzales County each year.
Similar events are hosted by other counties to raise money for graduating seniors in their areas also, such as Caldwell County’s prime rib supper.
GVEC District 3 Director and Board Secretary/Treasurer Henry “Bubba” Schmidt Jr. and wife Debbie enjoy the evening at the GCAGT Steak Night fundraiser, as GVEC supports the organization as a corporate table sponsor.
Boosting Furthered Education and Agriculture in Our Communities
HLSR Board Director and GCAGT Committeeman Steve Ehrig has served on the Gonzales County committee for nearly 30 years. He explains the minimum benefit of being an Area Go Texan county allows students from your area to be considered for one of HLSR’s $20,000 scholarships. However, depending on how active and successful each county committee is at fundraising, the organizations have the potential to help even more local graduates. This, he says, is the rewarding part of volunteering with Area Go Texan. “Sure we have to put in the work,” Ehrig said, “but that’s the reward we work for—giving back to the community and helping local kids further their educational dreams.”
Brett Kuntschik has served on Gonzales County’s committee for eight years and is the current GCAGT Ambassador. He tells us that through their efforts, on average, GCAGT is able to give approximately 10-12 local scholarships each year to seniors who’ve participated in either 4-H or agriculture programs and classes for at least two of their high school years. Aside from awarding scholarships, Kuntschik says Area Go Texan also benefits the communities they’re in by promoting interest in agricultural industry and careers.
Want to Know More About Area Go Texan?
To find out more about Area Go Texan committees or to see if your county is an Area Go Texan participant, visit the HLSR website. Guidelines for the 2022 HLSR Area Go Texan scholarship are also available.
Check out participating counties’ Facebook pages for information about local Area Go Texan committees. (Participating counties in the GVEC service area are Caldwell, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, and Victoria.)
Graduating seniors may contact their school guidance counselors, vocational agriculture teachers, or local AgriLife County Extension Agents (CEA) for mor information on their counties’ Area Go Texan scholarship opportunities.
