A Thorny Blessing Prickly Pear - Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

ScholarshipStudentBy Samantha FewoxProfilesSkyler Cooper2004 Metropolitan ScholarshipSara Frankovic2004 Opportunity ScholarshipAshley Kimich2004 Area Go Texan ScholarshipSkyler Cooper, a 2004 HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo MetropolitanScholarship recipient, wants tobe known for helping people. “My momalways taught me that even though I amyoung, I can still make a difference,”said Cooper. “If everyone would put ina few hours of volunteer work per year,the world would be a much friendlierplace.”Cooper, a freshman at Texas A&MUniversity – Corpus Christi, is a communicationsmajor. After college, shewants to pursue a career in front ofthe camera in television and/or film. “Iwant to be a voice for the people whodo not have one,” said Cooper.L hasn’t always been easy for Cooper and her family. Her single motherworked multiple jobs to ensure that herchildren could attend college. She alsoinstilled in them a sense of social activism.Cooper hopes someday to repayall those that helped her by providingsomeone else with an opportunity foran education.Out of tragedy springs hope and thewill to succeed in life. Sara Frankovic,a 2004 Opportunity Scholarship recipient,experienced life’s hardships at ayoung age. In 1998, her 15-year-oldbrother, David, was killed in a terriblecar accident. She became withdrawn. “If as if school and life had no meaningif it could all be taken away so quickly,”said Francovic.Eventually, she broke free from herisolated world and made a decisionthat has guided her life ever since. “Idecided to live life for myself and formy brother,” said Francovic. “I striveeach day to reach my goals and becomethe type of person my brother wouldbe proud to call his sister.”A freshman at The University ofTexas at Austin, Francovic is leaningtoward majoring in Italian or Croatian.She was born in Zagreb, Croatia. “Mydream is to return to my homeland,where I can teach English, translatebooks and perhaps work in the AmericanEmbassy,” said Francovic.Ashley Kimich realized early onthat quitting wasn’t an option in herfamily. “Once you start something, youfinish it and you give it your all,” saidKimich. This philosophy has helpedher to achieve many of her dreams,including receiving a 2004 Area GoTexan Scholarship.Currently a freshman at TexasA&M University majoring in animalscience, Kimich said that her love ofanimals began before she could walk.As soon as she was old enough, shejoined 4-H and FFA. Showing animalsand participating in many other competitionstaught her the value of hardwork and determination.The Houston Livestock Showholds many special memories for Kimich.She began showing animals atthe Show when she was in the fourthgrade. “My hope for the future is thatonce I’ve obtained my master’s inanimal science I can give back to theorganization that has made such a hugedifference in my life.”Watch for Show scholarship recipients to be profiled in each issue ofMagazine.16