The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Trailblazer Committee announced the winners of its 2022 Writing Competition. Texas-area second graders were invited to submit either a poem or an essay, following the theme, “The Adventures I’ll Have in My Boots.” This is the program’s second year.

Awards were issued for first, second and third place in each category, as well as for one overall Trailblazer’s Choice award in each category, which was selected by the Rodeo’s Trailblazer Committee.

2022 WINNERS:

Essay

1st Place: Zoey Westfall, Clear Lake City Elementary

2nd Place: Makayla Rodriguez, Cimarron Elementary – Houston

3rd Place: Hanna Tilford, First Baptist Academy – Houston

Poetry

1st Place: Khloe Chagoya, CD Landolt Elementary – Friendswood, Texas

2nd Place: Remi Hartsfield, Giddings Elementary – Giddings, Texas

3rd Place: Delilah Weehunt, CD Landolt Elementary – Friendswood, Texas

TRAILBLAZER’S CHOICE:

Essay

Oakley Watts, Iola Elementary – Iola, Texas

Poetry

Crockett Feathers, The Feathers Play School – Humble, Texas

“I’m thrilled that this new initiative has not just taken off but been embraced by Texans with such passion and enthusiasm,” said Tonya Yurgensen-Jacks, officer in charge of the Rodeo’s Trailblazer Committee. “This competition is quickly becoming a favorite with not just the Trailblazer Committee, but parents, teachers and students alike.”

The competition was developed in 2021 to support literacy and writing skills, and encourage creativity in Texas students, which falls in line with the Trailblazer Committee’s ongoing efforts to promote reading and literacy in school children year-round.

Each entry was judged by committee volunteers in two blind rounds on the following criteria: Ideas, Organization, Voice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions and Presentation. For more information on the Writing Competition, visit rodeohouston.com.

Following the committee judging, the top entries were judged by a panel of “celebrity” judges, including Zane Carruth, a children’s author from Houston; Red Steagall, renowned Texas entertainer and storyteller; Chris Mullen, a Western author from Richmond, Texas; and Mary Brooke Casad, a featured Texas writer at the Texas Book Festival in Austin, Texas.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $550 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2022 Rodeo continues through March 20. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.