MJH Con Dios - Houston Charity

The Annual Con Dios Awards

The Con Dios Awards are an additional five awards each in the amount of $1,500 for students who have shown perseverance and determination in overcoming adversity while preparing his/her steer for the Houston Livestock Show.

Students who have overcome hardships submit their story on an application. The Steer Starlettes accept applications for the perseverance awards during the two days of the steer sift at Reliant Center. The Starlettes verify the students’ essays with their FFA, 4-H, or Agriculture leaders. No applications are accepted from students related to members of the Steer Auction Committee.

The Steer Starlettes then read the applications to determine the award recipients. The five students with the most compelling essays receive the Mary Jane Hamilton Con Dios Award. These students and their parents are invited to the Steer Auction where they are recognized on stage and presented with a certificate. A brief biography of Mary is included with a congratulatory letter and a check for $1,500 mailed to the student.

The Con Dios Awards are funded directly from donations -- and to support this year's students, we could sure use your help. Please, donate now.

Crystalyn

My first year showing I picked a calf from Grandpa’s field. I was 8 and just fell in love with my Santa Gertrudis Aggie. Grandpa said it was a great “starter calf” for me. It placed and I used the money to buy two shorthorns, Diamond and Teddy Bear.

My calves were doing great. I spent my summer everyday washing and grooming them. Shorthorn hair calves are a lot of work! Now you’re probably thinking something like they lived happily ever after, but not this time, not now at least.

It was our 2nd prospect show. They placed 2nd Reserve Breed. When we got home he had a 104 degree fever and could hardly breathe. The vet came and gave him a shot… but it was too late. Diamond died. Soon after, the other calf got sick and died too.

It was 2 days until validation and I have no calves to show. You know how hard it is to find a calf 2 days before validation. I was so sad but determined to show. Daddy and Grandpa searched everywhere from the panhandle to the coast. They finally found a little Chiania who just got weaned. He was little and fuzzy. Someone who came to look at him thought he was a sheep in the distance! It was a challenge to get KeyKey to weigh enough to show but we did it. He never did place at a major show – he just didn’t get big enough. He was very gentle and my family loved him. My 5 year old brother could show him. In my heart he was a winner.

At our county show Daddy hurt his back. That left my brother and me to take care of the calves ourselves. It helped me realize how much work my daddy does to help us. I still kept up straight As!! My family was proud of my hard work.

At San Antonio stock show my three year old sister got a concussion and had to be taken to the hospital. The calves were in the tie-outs and it started to rain and hail. (It hadn’t rained in months.) I gave up the chance to see Taylor Swift so I could take care of my calves and Daddy could go to the hospital. My uncle came and picked us up and we stayed with relatives. It was really a challenge getting up at 4:00 or 5:00 and going to feed at the show before going to school and then going back to the show. Mom was taking care of my injured sister. It was worth it. My steer got pulled although he didn’t place. My daddy got me a pink jacket with a calf on the back and my name on it for all my hard work. I was so happy.

Of all things I learned showing is it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, just work hard and do your best. If you’re good at something stick with it and keep trying even when things get tough. Lastly, there is nothing more important than family. And now and still to come is the happily ever after.

Brittani

My name is Brittani and I am a senior at ****** High School in ****, Texas. On December 3, 2008 my FFA chapter were greeters at the Amarillo Ag Exposition Show. While traveling home, my mother and I were involved in a very serious auto accident, with the car rolling several times. We were both injured and taken to a hospital in Amarillo. My injuries included 3 chipped vertebrates in my neck, 2 cracked ribs, and a shattered left wrist. I was placed in Intensive Care for 2 days and remained in the hospital for another 3. My mother’s injuries were a shattered right humerus, stomach trauma, and right leg trauma.

Upon returning home, I was homebound for 4 weeks. Through the help of my friends and family, I was able to keep up with my school work and livestock projects, which include swine and cattle. Due to the amount of time I missed at school and trying to maintain my rank of being in the top ten of my 237 student senior class, I was unable to attend the San Antonio Stock Show with my animals. This year has been a struggle trying to teach myself different methods in setting my cattle and showing my pigs all while wearing a neck and wrist brace.

My father has been such a huge help with my animals and with helping us while we were recuperating at home after the accident. I am truly grateful for everything he has done and the extra time he’s put into making this year as good as possible. I not only am thankful for my friends and family but also for my advisor, Bruce Smith. He has been quite helpful and extremely understanding as I am the Vice President of our chapter and our district secretary.

I have been an exhibitor at the Houston show for five years. It has been both an enjoyable and educational experience that I will truly miss. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

Money for College in Mary's Name

We are currently raising money for a four-year scholarship in Mary’s name. Those who contribute to the Mary Jane Hamilton Con Dios Foundation will receive a pin with the foundation’s logo.

The logo was planned with Mary in mind. The outside roping symbolizes Mary’s love of Texas and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The shamrock is in honor of Mary’s St. Patrick’s Day birthday. The words “con Dios” mean “with God.” We are certain that is where Mary is today.