Editor’s note: Students enrolled in two SAC courses — Media Writing and News Photography — spent a day at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Feb. 20 to practice reporting and capturing dynamic, storytelling images for publication in SAC Student News. This is their reporting.
The 75th annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo ran from Feb. 8 through Feb. 25 at the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum.
The rodeo grew from agricultural fairs and expositions in San Antonio in the early 1900’s. Recognizing the need for larger facilities, Joe and Harry Freeman lobbied in the 1940s to establish the Joe Freeman-Bexar County Coliseum, which opened to the public Oct. 19, 1949, and the first San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo was held in February of 1950. More than 250,000 people attended.
The Rodeo has since become one of San Antonio’s most popular events with more than 1.5 million visitors over its 18-day run. The rodeo is home to the “World’s Largest Junior Livestock Show,” integrating agriculture and education by offering scholarships to 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) high school students since 1984. The show provides thousands of dollars in scholarships for high school students.
The massive event featured many attractions, including bull riding, barrel and pole racing, entertainers such as Mark Odom and John Boyd, and kid-friendly events such as the petting zoo, swine races, and food challenges.
Last year, KSAT reported that the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo raised $12 million to help more than 18,000 young Texans pay for their education. Since 1984, the Rodeo has committed more than $255 million in scholarships and grants toward education.
“The Rodeo and our over 6,000 volunteers work diligently to generate funds for the youth of Texas as it is at the core of our organization and mission,” Executive Director & CEO Cody Davenport told KSAT last year. “This educational commitment would not be possible without the support of our community, sponsors and patrons that visit us each year.”
Bob Scofield, director of public affairs for the rodeo, highlighted the beneficial impact of the culture and values that the rodeo allows young people to experience.
“While the youth experience of showing animals is hard work, it can also be fun. Families bond when participating in events together … Taking care of an animal at the Stock Show may seem easier than rodeo sporting events, but a bucking bronco works only about eight minutes a year,” Scofield said.
Thirteen-year-old Kendall McMullan showed her steer in the Junior Cattle Market Show. McMullan’s heifer won third place in its category. McMullan has been competing in livestock competitions since she was four years old.
“I like to stay calm above all,” McMullan told SAC Student News. “I try my best to not get nervous before the show; I always try to remember, although I’m handling a 1,250-pound [hiefer] its best to have it stay calm no matter what. During the few hours that it takes to prepare the cattle for the show is where I try my best to gather myself and prepare my mind for showmanship.”
Kendall said she sees herself competing in livestock competitions for a long time.
Melissa Tilvadiev told SAC Student News that spending her birthday at the rodeo has become a tradition for her family. Visiting the shops and booths is one of her favorite things to do. After eight hours at the rodeo this year, her husband and daughter complained they were tired.
“We haven’t even seen everything yet,” she told them.
In the expo hall, there were various booths and vendors selling their goods. Cesar J. Elizondo, president and CEO of the South Texas Salsa Company, had a booth in the expo hall to feature his products. He said he wanted to prioritize making his product available to locals.
The Big Barb Wire Company, a company that fabricates giant barbed-wire products, was one of the many companies that featured its products at the expo hall.
Among the numerous vendors and booths displaying western wear at the rodeo, Kandy Tate showcased her oil paintings of the New Mexico landscape and whimsical farm animals.
“When I drive around [and] I see the animals out in the pastures, I stop and take pictures of the sunlight hitting them and their colors,” Tate told SAC Student News.
Tate said she’s been making art since she was five years old, and she showcases her work at rodeos all over the country.
“When I was little, that was all that I wanted to do,” Tate said. “I’ve done it ever since.”
A committee oversees the rodeo’s many events that promote the arts, including contests, such as the Student Western Art Competition, which is open to 183 South Texas school districts across 54 counties. Those who are homeschooled or attend private school in one of those counties are also eligible. Submitted works must showcase an appreciation of western heritage.
“Kids who are artists do not always have somebody who is cheering them on,” Art Committee member Vicki Raney told SAC Student News. “We are honoring talent that is not cheered in the same way as basketball, baseball, or cheerleading.”
The competition’s grand-prize winner received a $5,000 college scholarship.
For 25 years, the rodeo has featured the Junior Commercial Steer Speeches Competition. Students in grades three through 12 are eligible to compete
During the Junior Commercial Steer Speeches Competition, Brazier Joy, a Future Farmers of America member and junior at Graham High School, competed for the fourth year in a row. He showed two steers while giving a speech to about 200 spectators. Joy said “working together” in the industry is important.
“Grass finished beef is extremely important to the integrity of the beef industry just as much as grain finished,” Joy said. “We need to advocate for agriculture as a whole and not our own personal niche.”
Joy and many other participants will also compete at the Houston Rodeo.
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo will return in February 2025.
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