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Texas Renaissance Festival awards Scholarships to Local Students
The Texas Renaissance Festival, the nation’s largest and most acclaimed Festival of food, fun and 16th century magic, announced today the recipients of its School Days Scholarship Program.
Andrew Hodge, a senior at Willis High School in Willis, Texas (Willis ISD), has been awarded the Humanities Scholarship, providing $1,500 toward the college or university in which he enrolls. The Humanities Scholarship is awarded to students planning to major in history, English, or foreign language.
Andrew was recognized for his academic excellence, his many accolades and extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, including as an editor with his school’s newspaper, varsity tennis player, and qualification for the state UIL congressional debate team. He is also a member of the school’s choir and National Honor Society. Andrew plans to attend Texas State University, where he will pursue a dual major bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Communications.
Elizabeth Neman, a senior at Oak Ridge High School in Spring, Texas (Conroe ISD), has been awarded the Educators Scholarship, providing $1,500 toward the college or university in which she enrolls. The Educators Scholarship is awarded to students planning to major in education, to become a teacher in a public or private school. Elizabeth was recognized for her academic excellence, her many accolades and extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, including as an officer in the National English Honor Society and a top competitor in UIL Literary Criticism competitions. She is also a member of the school’s band, yearbook staff, and National Honor Society. Elizabeth plans to attend the University of Houston, where she will pursue a Bachelors degree in History with a minor in Education.
“We created the School Days Scholarship Program as a way to reward those students who show great promise and enrich their respective communities,” said Kim Bryant, School Days coordinator for the Texas Renaissance Festival. “We consider our fellow Texans to be the heart of all those who descend upon Texas Renaissance Festival each year, and it fills us with immense pride that we can give back to them in an equally special way.”
Candidates are evaluated against academic performance, extracurricular involvement service, and essays detailing personal ambitions, goals and influences. The scholarship program is an annual extension of Texas Renaissance Festival’s School Days, Nov. 5-6, 2019, when the Festival is open only to teachers and students. During School Days, students are introduced to the culture, art, science, and literature of the Renaissance period, and have the opportunity to learn courtly dances, the ancient art of falconry, the history of arms and armor, and more.
Additional scholarship recipients include Addison Hurst, of Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas (Fine Arts) and Gabrielle Williams, of Magnolia West High School in Magnolia, Texas (TRF Participant).
Established in 1974, the Texas Renaissance Festival attracts over half a million visitors each year to its 55-acre New Market Village and Fields of New Market Campgrounds in Todd Mission, Texas. This immersive experience features world renowned live entertainment, works by master artists and craftspeople, award winning food and drink, hand-powered rides and games, and over 100 interactive characters during its nine themed weekends from October 5 through December 1, 2019. For more information, visit www.texrenfest.com.
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