Board Scholarships

for Upshur County Youth

The East Texas Yamboree Association above all wants everyone who attends to have a safe and wonderful time. We also love giving back to the community. For this reason we have established several scholarship programs for graduating seniors of all Upshur County schools. We strive to provide our youth with the resources that will help them succeed.

89th Yamboree Board Scholarship Recipients

Alvia Brown

Alvia Brown

Alivia Brown is a senior at Gilmer High School. She has played varsity softball for four years, varsity volleyball for three, and values the teamwork, discipline, and leadership these sports have taught her. Alivia is also involved in FFA and has shown commercial dairy heifers in the Livestock Show for the past two years, earning Grand Champion in 2024. She enjoys staying actively involved in her community. Livi will attend TJC to study nursing and pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse! She is excited for the opportunities that college and her future will bring!

Ashtin Hooker

Ashtin Hooker

Ashtin Hooker is a dedicated senior at Ore City HS with a deep passion for agricultural mechanics and welding. A committed FFA member, he has honed technical skills through Ag mechanics coursework, specializing in welding and metal fabrication. Ashtin has successfully competed in area and state level contests, showcasing his expertise in welding, fabrication and blueprint reading. Ashtin has competed in The Yamboree Ag Mech Show multiple times and Won Reserve Champion this past year. Ashtin plans to pursue a degree in Industrial Technology at Tarleton State University next year to prepare for a career in the metal fabrication industry.

Brie Jones

Brie Jones

Brie is the daughter of Cody and Jenna Jones, and Paul and Michelle Warmoth. She is the granddaughter of Darrell and Tammy Jones, and the late Russell Hendricks. Brie attends Gilmer High School and is a member of the Lady Buckeye Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Powerlifting, and Track teams; she is also a member of the Gilmer Media program and the National Honor Society. After graduation, Brie plans to attend Texas A&M University and pursue a nursing degree and aspires to one day become a neonatal nurse.

Bristol Smith

Briston Smith

Bristol Smith, is a Union Hill High School 2026 graduate, and is the daughter of Dustin and LariAnn Smith. Bristol has been involved with the Yamboree for many years showing rabbits, market goats, Brahman Heifers and she also had projects in AG Mechanics. Along with showing livestock Bristol was a member of the Yamboree Livestock Junior Board where she assisted with many livestock events and volunteered with the “NO LIMITS” livestock show. Bristol was Vice President of the Union Hill FFA and participated in many speaking and judging contests with her FFA team. Bristol graduated ranked 6th in her class and a member of the National Honor Society. Future plans for Bristol include attending East Texas A&M where she plans on majoring in Veterinary Biomedical Technology.

Carter Garmon

Carter Garmon

Carter Garmon is a senior at Gilmer High School, participating in the State Championship Gilmer High School Band, Gilmer FFA, Gilmer NHS, Gilmer UIL and more. Carter is the Band Drum Major and FFA Chapter Officer. Carter is in the top 10% of his class and has taken 15 different college level classes. Carter has been part of the Yamboree for many years, taking part in the pageant, photography contest, parades, and more.

Ella Mae Williams

Ella Mae Williams

Ella Williams was born in Longview, Texas, on April 14, 2008, to Micheal and Lynn Ann Williams. Raised in the close-knit town of Gladewater, she has cultivated a fulfilling life deeply rooted in her community. As an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gladewater, Ella has distinguished herself with numerous accomplishments both academically and in extracurricular pursuits. With a strong foundation and a vibrant spirit, she approaches the future with anticipation and excitement, eager to embark on the many opportunities ahead.

Hudson Elwell

Hudson Elwell

Hudson Brian Elwell is the son of Chad and Emily Elwell of Ore City. He is attending college in the fall at Northeast Texas Community College for Business Administration. Hudson was a member of Ore City FFA, serving as Vice President and an active member of the OCHS Student Council, serving as Senior Class President. Through FFA, Hudson dedicated his time to the Yamboree by showing rabbits for 2 years, participating in the horticulture show, volunteering for the Jr. Board and for the No-Limits Livestock Show for 3 years. Academically, Hudson will be graduating with 18 college credit hours.

Jayna Rucker

Jayna Rucker

Jayna Christene Rucker represents the Iris Garden Club of Gilmer. She is the daughter of Micah and Jennifer Rucker, the granddaughter of Rosalind Jones, and the great-granddaughter of Tommy and Billie Jones. Jayna has two younger siblings, sister Jordyn Rucker and brother Jace Rucker. Jayna is a member of Chapel in the Woods Church and attends Gilmer High School, where she is a member of the volleyball, softball, powerlifting, and cheerleading teams. She also participates in FFA, the National Honor Society, and the Model UN Leadership program. Jayna is in the top 10% of her graduating class and is attending Howard College to play softball.

Kent Odum

Kent Odum

Kent Odum is a dedicated and hardworking student with a strong sense of responsibility and character. He is actively involved in school organizations, including FFA, where he has developed leadership skills and a deep appreciation for agriculture, teamwork, and community. Kent is known for his perseverance, respect for others, and commitment to personal growth. Guided by his faith and family values, he strives to make a positive impact on those around him. With clear goals for his future, Kent continues to pursue academic success while building the skills and integrity needed to become a responsible and compassionate leader.

Madelyn Todd

Madelyn Todd

Maddie Todd is a dedicated student at Union Hill ISD who is known for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to her goals. She plans to attend the University of Texas at Tyler to pursue a degree in education and become a teacher. Maddie is passionate about helping others learn and grow, and she hopes to return to Upshur County to give back to her community. She looks forward to coming back home to support and encourage local students and be someone they can look up to.

Mally Davidson

Mally Davidson

Mally Davidson is a senior at Harmony High School, where she ranks 5th in her class. She is the daughter of Caleb and Jami Davidson and the granddaughter of Rusty and Kathy Ferrell and Kay Davidson. She has participated in the Yamboree, where she has shown broilers, and participated in Junior Board, canning shows, yam pie contests, pageants, and parades. She is also very involved in school activities, participating in volleyball, basketball, track, and FFA. Mally plans to attend the University of Texas at Tyler to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing and later become a nurse practitioner.

Olivia Dabreu

Olivia Dabreu

Olivia Dabreu is the daughter of Michael and BreAnn Dabreu. Olivia is Salutatorian of her class at Union Grove High School. She is a member of National Honor Society, Vice President of her class, Vice President of her FFA Chapter, and Yearbook Editor and Chief. Olivia has served as a Yamboree junior board member, showed goats at livestock, and was a Countess in the Queen's Coronation. She participates in varsity athletics in volleyball, basketball, softball, cross country, and golf. After graduation, Olivia will attend the University of Texas at Tyler to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Parker Haley

Parker Haley

Parker is the son of Tommy and Carla Haley of Gladewater. He is a senior at Union Grove High School. Parker is the class Valedictorian and class President. He is involved and has excelled at the state UIL level in debate, band, theatre and the accounting team. Parker is a member of the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and has received the NOCTI Accounting Foundation certificate. Parker has been accepted and enrolled, for the fall of 2026 semester, at Baylor University. He plans to pursue a Bachelor of Business degree in accounting. Parker’s goal is to become a CPA and serve the East Texas community. Parker is a member of New Beginnings Baptist Church and believes that God has great plans to use him for His glory.

Sadie Jo Bonnette

Sadie Jo Bonnette

Sadie Bonnette is a 2026 graduate of Ore City High School. She is the daughter of Tara Thompson and Joel Bonnette. She has been actively involved in her community, serving as Senior Liaison for her student council and president of her National Honor Society, where she has found a love for volunteering. She has participated in the Yamboree in several ways like Ore City Yamboree Dutchess, a Blue Ribbon shop project, and a Red Ribbon Fairy Garden in the Horticulture Competition. She plans to attend Barnard at Columbia University in the fall and pursue a career in law and politics.

Triniti Mauk

Triniti Mauk

Triniti Janai Mauk is the daughter of Brian and Mary Ann Mauk and the granddaughter of Charles and Charlotte Johnson, and Richard and Bobbie Mauk. Triniti attends Harmony High School where she serves as Student Council President and National Honor Society Vice-President. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and FFA. She plays volleyball, basketball, track, and is a student athletic trainer. After high school, Triniti plans to attend Oklahoma Baptist University where she will be on the track team and pursue a career in Physical Therapy.