Scholarships

A scholarship fund was started in 1988 by longtime TJSSA adviser Rich Forst and TSSA member Carlos X. Guerra. Rich Forst donated funds to open an account and Carlos X. Guerra donated the pick of his heifer calf crop to start the fundraising. The donated heifer raised $12,500 in a progressive auction at the TSSA Annual Convention. Over the years many TSSA members have contributed to the TJSSA Scholarship Education Trust.

In 1997 the TSSA Board of Directors voted to ensure the permanent existence of the scholarship program by establishing the TJSSA Educational Trust. It is a non-profit entity whose sole purpose is to provide scholarships to deserving youth involved in the TJSSA. The trust is administered by three trustees who include Warren Garrett, Canton, Texas; Jim Ethridge, Franklin, Texas; and Betty Freasier, Floresville, Texas.

Since the scholarship program’s inception, over $100,000 has been awarded to junior members in the TJSSA. Scholarships are awarded to junior members in honor of long time supporters of the junior program that include Jimmie Travis (deceased), Weatherford, Texas; JoNell Drew, Hearne, Texas; and Rich Forst, Chappell Hill, Texas. Endowed scholarships are also annually awarded and include the Victor Guerra memorial scholarship (funded by the Guerra family of Linn), the Lytle Tom Jr. memorial scholarship and Lytle Tom III memorial scholarship (funded by the Tom family of Campbellton), James Freasier memorial scholarship(funded by the Freasier family of Floresville), and the Pine Ridge Ranch Honorary scholarship (funded by Bill and Jane Travis of Dallas).

Anyone interested in making a tax deductible donation should contact Jim Ethridge ([email protected]). TJSSA members that are in their junior year of high school through their junior year of college are encouraged to apply and can obtain an application from the TJSSA Web site forms page.