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Riding Club Announces Scholarship Winners
The Saint Jo Riding Club is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Saint Jo Riding Club Agricultural Scholarships.
• Saint Jo ISD Graduating Senior: $750
o Kathryn Sherwin
Kathryn Sherwin is a 2023 graduate of Saint Jo High School. She lives on a small farm in Montague and currently owns four Angus cows. In the future, she hopes to grow a small herd of both breeding cows and bulls.
This fall, she will be attending Texas Tech University majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Ag
Business. After earning her Bachelor’s of Science, vet school is her next goal. While in college, she plans to
continue creating western art as a small business. She also looks forward to participating in many internships and any other opportunities Lubbock has to offer.
• Saint Jo ISD Graduating Senior: $750
o Jerod “Kile” Thurman
Kile Thurman is the son of Clint and Denise Thurman of Saint Jo, and he is the grandson of longtime Riding Club members Ancil & Elsie Thurman. Kile has attended school in Saint Jo ISD since he started in Pre-K. He has been active in FFA, football, basketball, cross country, baseball, golf, track and One Act Play. Kile has served as the President of his class every year since 7th grade. He has been on the SJHS Student Leadership Team each year and is also a member of the National Honor Society. Kile has served as the Saint Jo FFA Chapter Treasurer for 2 years. He was a State Qualifier in CDE Cotton Judging. He has been a part of the award winning FFA Chapter Conducting team for 3 years. Kile enjoys playing sports and spending time with his family. He looks forward to attending Texas Tech University in the Fall to study Kinesiology.
• Area Graduate beyond Saint Jo: $500
o Casen Lynn Harris of Nocona ISD
Casen Harris is a 2023 graduate of Nocona High School. He has lived in Montague County all of his life. His parents are Andrea Nobile and Rusty Harris. He has 3 brothers, Cooper, 21, Kale and Kline, both 16. He attends Montague County Cowboy Church. He has been active in FAA raising pigs and sheep and participating in Livestock Judging competitions. He plans to pursue a career in GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and Land Surveying. He will be attending North Central Texas College and then moving on to Tarleton State University.
• Area Graduate beyond Saint Jo: $500
o Anna Marie Becker of Sacred Heart in Muenster
Anna Marie Becker is one of five children in the Michael & Billie Becker family. She lives between Myra and Era on a small farm where her family raises cattle, chickens and ducks. She loves being outside and working with the farm animals, especially the ducks and cattle. She has been very active in 4-H for many years where she has shown dairy heifers. At Sacred Heart Catholic School she has participated in volleyball, basketball, track and cheer as well as being part of student council and the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Alabama where she will study Kinesiology and Sports Broadcasting with a minor in Spanish. She would like to return to Muenster after college to run a Brahman farm and raise ducks.
• Saint Jo Riding Club Member / Legacy: $500
o Karagan Ritchie of Prairie Valley ISD
Karagan Lynn Ritchie of Nocona is the daughter of Randal and Laurie Ritchie. She is a graduate of Prairie Valley High School where she was active in FFA, FCCLA, 4-H, Texas High School Bass Fishing Association, Girl Scouts, and all available sports her school had to offer. She was a member of the National Honor Society, and recently accepted her FFA Lone Star Degree. She has had many achievements and honors in sports, Girl Scouts, and agriculture events. She loves showing her heifer in Texas major shows, and competing in High School Home Economics where she has won the Senior Sweepstakes in Montague County for four years. Karagan loves riding and competing with her horses Snicker and Twinkie, and she is wrapping up her two-year reign as Saint Jo Rodeo Queen. She plans to go to Midwestern State University to become a radiologist.
The Saint Jo Riding Club Agricultural Scholarship Program exists to provide scholarships to a high school graduating seniors interested in or intending to pursue a course of study in a college or university related to agriculture.
By Emily Gleason
The outdoor, hunting, and fishing industries have long been perceived traditionally as a male-dominated realm. However, as societal norms shift, the experiences of women in these industries have been increasingly coming to the forefront. Being a woman in the outdoor industry today is a complex blend of passion, perseverance, and community, marked by both challenges and triumphs.
Women who hunt or engage in outdoor activities frequently find themselves confronting preconceived notions about their capabilities and interests. Many of us have experienced skepticism or outright disbelief when we express our enthusiasm for hunting or other outdoor activities.
Despite these stereotypes, women are increasingly challenging and redefining what it means to be involved in these activities. Female hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are not only participating but excelling in such skills. They contribute unique perspectives and insights to the hunting community, showcasing that passion for the outdoors knows no gender.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter
It’s easy for us to take for granted the multiple forbs that are growing throughout our North Texas and Oklahoma grazing lands. They play an important part in the health of our soils and of our livestock, and we should be aware of how they fit in our grazing environment.
Winecup is one of the forbs that many of us can recognize. There are both annual and perennial species, and of significant numbers in our area is Trailing winecup, which is a perennial.
To learn more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton | Editor
The North Texas Fair and Rodeo, held annually in Denton, Texas, has a rich history that dates back to 1928. Originally conceived as a small agricultural fair, it was organized to showcase the region’s farming and ranching heritage while promoting local businesses and community engagement.
The fair quickly gained popularity, and by 1958, it incorporated a rodeo, which became a central feature of the event. The rodeo added an exciting element to the fair, drawing competitors and spectators from across the region to witness events like bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. Over the years, the fair grew in size and scope, expanding to include live entertainment, carnival rides, livestock shows, and various exhibitions celebrating North Texas culture.
Today, the North Texas Fair and Rodeo has become one of the largest and most anticipated events in the region, attracting thousands of visitors each August. It remains true to its roots, continuing to celebrate the region’s agricultural and ranching heritage while incorporating modern elements such as concerts, arts and crafts, and food vendors.
The rodeo, which is now a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event, draws top-tier competitors from across the state- both in the arena and for the accompanying rodeo queen contest.
To learn more about Miss North Texas Fair & Rodeo, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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