Four Recipients Awarded a Combined $6,000 as Part of Festival's Annual School Days Initiative
Texas Renaissance Festival, our amazing festival of food, fun and 16th-century magic, has announced the recipients of its School Days Scholarship Program. "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."
Addison Hurst, a senior at Tompkins High School, has been awarded the Fine Arts Scholarship, which is awarded to students planning to major in performing or visual arts.
Addison was recognized for her academic excellence, her many accolades, and extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, including as a nationally qualifying Thespian actor and officer in her school's American Sign Language club. She is also a member of the school's theatre company and National Honor Society. Elizabeth plans to attend Texas Christian University, where she will pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting with a minor in American Sign Language.
Andrew Hodge, a senior at Willis High School, has been awarded the Humanities Scholarship, which 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 Bachelors degree in Creative Writing and Communications.
Elizabeth Neman, a senior at Oak Ridge High School, has been awarded the Educators Scholarship, which 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.
Gabrielle Williams, a senior at Magnolia West High School, has been awarded the Participant Scholarship, which is awarded to students who have worked at the Texas Renaissance Festival for at least one full season.
Gabrielle was recognized for her outstanding work ethic in her role as a food service employee at TRF, as well as for her achievements in the art department of MWHS. Gabrielle was named Grand Champion Art Winner for the Montgomery County Fair in 2018 and has earned the highest scores possible in the state's VASE art competition for three consecutive years. Gabrielle also works for the Home Depot, putting in 35 hours weekly while maintaining high grades and commitments to her high school. She plans to attend Lone Star College, where she will begin study in veterinary science.
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.
Can we get a "Huzzah?" Hip, hip!
