Ninety-seven high school seniors hailing from six Dallas Independent School District (ISD) campuses adjacent to the Fair Park neighborhood convened at the iconic State Fair of Texas to accept the esteemed Juanita Craft Scholarship for their remarkable devotion and diligence throughout their secondary schooling. These gifted students fulfilled the program’s rigorous criteria—a minimum of 12 hours worth of coursework each semester and a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) for their first semester, followed by a cumulative 3.0 GPA for every semester thereafter. Beyond this accolade, the students had a thrilling celebration on the Midway, engaging in games and indulging in savory dishes with “Little Tex.”
Miguel Solis, the P-Tech: EMT Program senior from North Dallas High School, expressed his elation upon being awarded the Juanita Craft Scholarship. He plans to attend Texas A&M University to study community health in pursuit of radiology in the future. He said that it was an honor to be at the fair, relishing the wonderful climate, great food, and, most importantly, proudly representing his school. He stated, “I feel really good about being here. It feels really great because I’ve been going to North Dallas High School since I was a child, so it is kind of rewarding for being here since I was young.”
The State Fair of Texas named the Juanita Craft Scholarship in commemoration of Juanita Craft, a civil rights activist residing in South Dallas. To pay tribute to her legacy, the State Fair awards college scholarships every year to outstanding students from six Dallas ISD high schools in the fair park vicinity. The organization credits and recognizes student accomplishments in education, and remains dedicated to nourishing students’ potential and progress.
Katie Kha, a student from North Dallas High School, expressed her appreciation for receiving the 2023 Big Tex Scholar recognition. She remarked how grateful she was for the opportunity and how much of an honor it was to be chosen by an organization that devoted itself to promoting students’ education. Kha is planning to complete her higher studies at Texas Woman’s University. This scholarship will help her make progress towards her career goals, and she is thrilled about the opportunity.
Schools included in Juanita Craft Scholarship:
Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation,
Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School,
James Madison High School,
Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet,
North Dallas High School, and
Woodrow Wilson High School.
