Academic Scholarships

Graduate of Memorial High School, Frisco

Attending Texas A&M University, College Station

Major:  Agricultural Communications

Minor:  Horticulture

My name is Austin Blagg from Frisco, Texas, and I have recently graduated from Memorial High School. While in high school I was heavily involved with in FFA where I was fortunate enough to serve as my chapter’s president, the District IV president, and the Area V Association president, as well as compete in numerous competitions and raise several livestock projects.

I was also a Student Ambassador, a member of NHS, a member of the principal’s advisory committee, and had a strong academic record. After being immersed in agriculture education, I discovered my love for floral design which is why I have chosen to attend Texas A&M University this fall. I will be majoring in agricultural communications and journalism with a minor in horticulture. I am beyond excited to expand my knowledge on agriculture and cannot wait to explore all the opportunities ahead!

Graduate of Anna High School

Attending Tarleton State University

Major:  Ag Leadership & Development

Hello, I am Hannah Price from Anna, Texas and will be attending Tarleton State University this Fall.

• I played Varsity Softball and will graduate in the Top Ten Percent of my Class.
• I am currently the Anna FFA President.
• I have placed 8th individually in the Nation at the National Homesite Evaluation Contest
• I have advanced to the LDE (Leadership Development Event) State Competition in Public Relations twice
• I have advanced to the CDE (Career Development Event) State Competition in Homesite Evaluation
• I was Grand Champion Senior Showman at the Collin County Livestock Show two years in a row
• I have placed at multiple major livestock shows with my market goat projects
• I plan to major in Agriculture Service and Development to become a Agriscience teacher and FFA advisor
• I want to specialize in teaching Floriculture

Graduate of Princeton High School

Attending Texas A&M University, College Station

Major:  Animal Science- Equine Science, Animal Production/ Industry Option

Hi! My name is Charlee Proctor and I am a senior at Princeton High School. My journey with horticulture started right at my own home. Growing up, we had a small garden to grow fruits and vegetables, and I was able to spend time with my family. I was able to pick a carrot from our garden and take it straight to a horse in our barn. While this is just a fond memory I have, I began to see the relationship between horticulture and my future career.

Next year I am so excited to attend Texas A&M University to major in Animal Science and receive my Equine Certificate. Throughout high school I have been involved in the Texas 4-H Program where I have served as an ambassador for Texas Youth Livestock and Agriculture. My main responsibility is to promote agricultural education, and advocate for many different areas of agriculture.

Throughout school I have been involved in FFA, National Honor Society, Varsity Soccer, Peer Assisted Leadership, Speech and Debate, and have served on the Texas 4-H State Council Team. In the future I hope to use all of these skills to work in Ag Extension and continue advocating for the importance for horticulture and production agriculture.

Graduate of Allen High School

Attending Collin College

Will complete AS in Science and transfer for Landscape Architecture

I am graduating from Allen High School and am close to earning my Associate of Science degree at Collin College thanks to my high school's dual credit opportunities. This fall I am attending Collin College to finish the core classes I would need for a bachelor's in Landscape Architecture once I transfer.

I have earned my Girl Scout Gold Award. For my take-action project, I focused on inspiring and informing Collin County homeowners on how they can tailor their landscapes to the needs of various beneficial wildlife and how it can benefit them. This kind of landscaping is called Wildscaping, and it takes the concepts of pollinator gardening a step further to include all beneficial wildlife. To inspire others, I have restored a homeowner association's landscape for visitors to emulate in their yards.

I have created a Wildscaping how-to guide to help visitors get started and presented the information at various events around Allen. I remember wanting to earn my Gold Award and wishing to start a garden since I first started Girl Scouts as a Brownie and look forward to diving deeper into landscaping in college.

As a young child growing up in Texas, I remember helping my great grandmother tend to her garden, harvesting squash and pulling carrots from the soil. As a teenager, I was constantly designing and redesigning the landscape of my childhood home. Removing the overgrown Red Tip Photinias and replacing them with Knockout Roses is a fond memory. I was always happiest when my hands were working in the soil and tending to plants. My love for horticulture started at an early age, and ever since then I have been studying to increase my knowledge and understanding of the field. From a high school FFA member, to my bachelors degree and eventually a masters in agriculture, I have steadily developed a greater interest in horticulture. With my previous education and now my Ph.D research in companion planting and container gardening for yield and pollinator attraction, I continue to educate myself in the field. However, I would not be here today had it not been for the countless teachers, professors and mentors along the way. I hope that I can take my education and TA experience here at Texas A&M and pursue a career as a professor and researcher and educate others the importance of horticulture, specifically sustainability in the modern landscape.