By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Cadence Copeland, Krystal Tondre and Emily Smith are the 2025 recipients of scholarships funded by Texas Farm Bureau through the Texas 4-H Foundation.

Copeland was the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship. Tondre and Smith each received the $5,000 scholarships.

“We’re proud to partner with Texas 4-H to support youth in agriculture and empower the next generation of leaders as they pursue their educational and professional goals,” said McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator.

Cadence Copeland
Copeland graduated from Lyford High School and plans to attend Tarleton State University to study plant science and horticulture. She hopes to pursue a Master of Business Administration and then open a plant nursery.

“I feel very grateful and humbled to receive the scholarship,” Copeland said.

She participated in the several 4-H events, including the food challenge, food show, horticulture record book, public speaking and archery.

In addition to 4-H, she was a member of FFA and the National Honors Society. She played varsity tennis and also volunteered with her county’s ag day, teaching students in elementary and middle school about agriculture.

Krystal Tondre
Tondre graduated from Southwest High School in San Antonio. She plans to attend Texas A&M University to study animal science and later attend veterinary school to specialize in large animal reproduction.

Tondre was a Texas Youth Livestock Ambassador (TYLA) and has served as a 4-H club and county officer. She exhibited sheep and rabbits, and her involvement in 4-H allowed her to participate in leadership trips to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia.

Outside of 4-H, she was active in FFA, an officer for the National Honor Society and a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

Through TYLA, she had many opportunities to teach others about agriculture. She worked exhibits at the State Fair of Texas, San Antonio Livestock Show and Houston Livestock Show. Her favorite opportunity was H-E-B Engagements, where the livestock ambassadors would engage with shoppers about food and livestock production.

“This scholarship means so much to me,” Tondre said. “4-H has been my whole life and getting that recognition and help to go to school really means so much. I appreciate Texas Farm Bureau for sponsoring the scholarship.”

Emily Smith
Smith completed her high school education through homeschooling and will attend Lubbock Christian University to study animal science. She plans to attend veterinary school after completing her undergraduate degree.

She participated in several 4-H activities, including food and nutrition, consumer science, fashion and interior design, STEM and robotics, shooting sports and the dog project.

Her favorite role was a project leader for a dog Walk-a-Thon benefiting St. Jude’s Hospital.

“I am overjoyed to receive such a big scholarship but also so grateful that the people in my life have definitely pushed me to be in the position to receive a scholarship,” Smith said. “It would not be possible for me to get this scholarship unless I got involved in 4-H, which taught me life skills and me how to be a better public speaker.”

Outside of 4-H, Smith played basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer.

TFB support for 4-H
TFB is a longtime supporter of Texas 4-H, working with the youth organization in leadership development, service learning and agricultural advocacy and literacy. TFB provides assistance to the organization through various youth outreach and development programs throughout the year, as well as a complimentary TFB membership to each 4-H club in Texas.