The East Texas Yamboree Association above all wants everyone who attends the four-days of the festival to have a safe and wonderful time. We also love giving back to the community even more so. For this reason we have established several scholarship programs for graduating seniors of all Upshur County schools.
Presented by
Jonathan Cannon
Jonathan Cannon Is the son of Jody and Tana Cannon of Gilmer. Jonathan was a member of the Gilmer FFA, Gilmer Band and Gilmer Golf team. He received the Yamboree Livestock Show Reserve Champion Showmanship award in 2023 for his FFA projects. He is also an Eagle Scout. After high school he will be attending TSTC Marshall to pursue an Associate’s degree in Diesel Mechanics.
Elizabeth Jewels Hight
Elizabeth Jewels Hight is a determined student who is involved in many extracurriculars, ambitious in academics, enjoys personal life, and has potential for a beneficial future. In school, she is a committed member of the FFA, Band, NHS, and UIL Academics teams. She is fifth in her class and she has a GPA of 4.416. She has a strong love for her family and several hobbies including thrifting, baking, sewing, fishing, and camping. Her interest in mathematics has led her to pursue a career in data science, and she will be attending Tyler Junior College in the fall.
Caroline Jordan
Caroline Jordan is a senior at Gilmer High School. She participated in many activities during high school, including FFA, Deuces, Drill Team, and National Honor Society. Caroline has held leadership responsibilities in addition to serving as an officer on the Stars drill team. Caroline had actively participated in the Yamboree as a court dancer since seventh grade. Most recently, she was chosen by her peers to represent Gilmer High School as Yamboree Duchess. Caroline has served her community by devoting her time to volunteer at multiple church events such as Night to Shine, Vacation Bible School, and Easter events.
Elijah Pool
Elijah Pool is a graduate of Harmony High School. He is the son of Michael and Kirby Pool. Eli was in the top 10% of his graduating class. He is the 2024 Senior Class President and was also involved in athletics, band, FFA, National Honors Society, and UIL Academics. Eli is an active member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he leads in many aspects. Eli attends Stephen F. Austin State University, majors in Kinesiology, and minors in Math. After college he hopes to return to Harmony as a coach and math teacher.
Addison Kate Wilson
Addison Kate Wilson is the daughter of Brandon and Jennifer Wilson. She is a graduate of Gilmer High School where she has been involved in FFA, NHS, Athletics as well as Texas High School Rodeo. Addison has served on numerous junior boards in the community. She has been involved in the Yamboree over the last ten years exhibiting market steers. Addison plans to attend Northeast Texas Community College and then transfer to UT Tyler to pursue a degree in Pharmacy.
Toby Blake Coppedge
Toby Blake Coppedge is the son of Bruce and Carrie Coppedge of Ore City. He attends Ore City High School as a senior. Blake is a leader in academics as well as extracurricular activities there in campus. He has been active in his community as well by helping to coach little league teams and being part of various service projects. Blake is in the Top Ten of his graduating class. He plans on attending a four year university. He is undecided on which path of study to pursue, but is leaning toward engineering.
Melanie Aguilar
Melanie is the daughter of Scott and Angelica Sisson. She is a Senior at Gilmer High School. Melanie is a four year member and a two year officer of the GHS Stars Drill Team. She is currently the Gilmer FFA Chapter President and has retired as Daingerfield District FFA President and Area VI FFA Vice President. Additionally, Melanie is treasurer of the National Honor Society and is in the top 10% of her class. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in Agricultural Communication. Melanie’s ambition is to be employed by the USDA and work in foreign relations.
Marlee Denise Mauldin
Marlee Denise Mauldin is the daughter of John and Mindy Mauldin, the granddaughter of David and Paula Harris, and the late Judy Fennell. Marlee is the youngest sister of Madison Peppers and Matthew Mauldin. Her hobbies include reading, hanging out with friends, and cooking. She attends Gilmer High School and is in the top 10% of her class. Marlee is also a member of the National Honor Society where she serves as secretary. Her extracurricular activities include being a 4yr member of GHS Cheer and Gilmer FFA. Marlee was honored to be selected as a Best Preps nominee for cheer. Marlee received Yamboree 2019 Reserve Grand Champion and Harvest Festival 2022 Grand Champion with her show rabbits. Marlee also represented Beta Sigma Phi as a Lady in Waiting in the 86th East Texas Yamboree. Marlee will graduate with 18 dual-credit hours. After graduation from high school, she plans to attend Northeast Texas Community College and University of Texas at Tyler to complete her undergraduate studies. Following her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend Baylor University to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She attends New Beginnings Baptist Church and believes that all good things in her life are from God and that any success, whether personal or educational, belongs to Christ.
Sydney Pritchett
Sydney Pritchett will graduate as Historian of the Union Grove Class of 2024 and plans to attend the University of Texas at Tyler in the fall. Sydney will major in Communication Sciences and Disorders with intentions of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. In her high school career she has been a successful competitor in UIL Journalism, advancing to State her sophomore and junior years, winning a silver medal in the Headline competition in 2023. Sydney enjoyed her time playing Varsity Golf and being on the Varsity Cheer Team, along with serving with the East Mountain Baptist Church youth group.
Mia Stowe
Mia Stowe is a 2024 graduate of Gilmer High School. Mia was a Gilmer FFA member for 4 years. During that time, Mia participated in chapter conducting, quiz, creed speaking, poultry evaluation, homesite, land judging, prepared public speaking, and agriscience fair. She was a chapter officer for two years, Daingerfield District Treasurer for one, and a Texas FFA Ford Leadership Scholar for one year. She showed market broilers in the Yamboree for three years. She was also involved in band, student council, DEUCES, and National Honor Society. Mia plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study communications.
Levi Watson
Levi Watson is a senior at Gilmer High School. He is the son of Greg and Amber Watson. Levi has been involved in FFA throughout high school. He has also participated in athletics and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of First Baptist Church, Gilmer. Levi plans to attend Tarleton State University and major in Agribusiness. His plans after college include starting and managing his own cattle company. Levi’s guiding verse is – Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Rowdy John Williams
Rowdy John Williams is a 2024 Union Grove Graduate. He is the son of Robert “Bobby” and Shannon Williams. Rowdy was a 4 year active member of FFA AgMech. He participated with the tractor tech team that placed 8th at state level , received several awards and recognitions including High Individual AgMech Area 6 contest and 2nd High Individual Ag Applied Engineering. Rocketry was his high school pathway in which he presented presentations to NASA and Boeing and launched rocket at SystemGo in White Sands, NM. Rowdy is planning on attending Louisiana Tech University for a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
AnnMarie Perez
AnnMarie Perez is the daughter of Patti Dodd-Tefteller and Robert Perez. After graduating from Harmony High school, she is going to attend Texas A&M and major in BioMedical Science. Her intentions are to pursue a career in pathology. In her free time she enjoys reading and thrifting. She has overcome Type 1 Diabetes, Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Peyton Abernathy
My name is Peyton Abernathy and I am a senior at New Diana High School. I will graduate on May 24, 2024. I am planning on attending Blinn College in the fall of 2024 to begin my degree in Radiology Technology. I have been a student athlete my entire high school career, participating in multiple sports where I have held leadership roles in all. in addition to sports, I have been an active member of the P.A.L.S program for the past 2 years where I mentor at risk children at our elementary school.
Kameron Townsend
Kameron Townsend, son of Danette and Harvey Townsend, is a dedicated student at Union Grove High School. Kameron plans on attending Stephen F Austin to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Kameron Townsend is a successful musician, having won the prestigious Outstanding Performance Award at Solo & Ensemble for his solo, as well as receiving a silver medal at National Association of Military Marching Bands State Competition with his high school band. Kameron enjoys creating and performing music, spending time with family and friends, and learning to play new instruments.