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On the evening of November 20, the Big TeXellence Awards were held amongst State Fair staff, board members, and volunteers to celebrate the success of the 2025 State Fair of Texas, including a record-breaking fundraising year that resulted in more than $2.2 million raised to support students throughout the Lone Star State in auction awards and new college scholarships. The Big TeXellence Awards is a redesigned State Fair of Texas volunteer awards dinner, structured around our institutional core values: Texantude, Enthusiastically Customer Focused, Exemplary Team Spirit, Affection for the Fair and Our Mission, and Stewardship of the Tradition. This year’s program was intentionally organized through these values to recognize every form of volunteer contribution, from fundraising, service hours, in-kind support, to emerging leadership. Below is a comprehensive list of our award winners and their accomplishments. Most In-Kind Award The Most In-Kind Award honored exceptional generosity through in-kind contributions that significantly supported our programs and events. The 2025 Most In-Kind Award was presented to Joshua Furrh. Red River Rivalry Volunteers This group of individuals truly embodied the core value of Enthusiastically Customer Focused during their time as a volunteer on Red River Rivalry game day. To be Enthusiastically Customer Focused is to serve with energy and hospitality, as exemplified by this volunteer team. |
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TeXellence in Service This hours-based award was given to the top volunteer of the 2025 season who exhibited our core value of Exemplary Team Spirit. Team spirit is measured in presence – in those who show up again and again. Racking in more than 100 hours of service this season, this individual went above and beyond to support her fellow Task Force Members and the nonprofit mission of the State Fair of Texas. This year’s TeXellence in Service award was presented to Gillian Wiley. Additionally, a dedicated group of seven fundraisers, including past chairwoman of the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors, Gina Norris, showed their Exemplary Team Spirit by raising more than $162,000. Thank you to the following individuals for their incredible support and amazing contributions this season. |
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Fundraising Awards Affection for the Fair and Our Mission is more than sentiment, its commitment. It’s choosing to stand behind this institution and invest in its future. With these fundraising awards, we honor those whose fundraising efforts reflect a deep belief in what the State Fair of Texas stands for. Through their advocacy and generosity, they ensure that our mission continues to grow and reach the next generation. Bronze Fundraising Level The Bronze Fundraising Level recognizes those who fundraised $2,500. |
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Silver Fundraising Level The Silver Fundraising Level recognizes those who fundraised $5,000. |
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Gold Fundraising Level The Gold Fundraising Level recognizes those who fundraised $10,000. |
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Platinum Fundraising Level The Platinum Fundraising Level recognizes those who fundraised $25,000. |
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Reserved Grand Champion The Reserved Grand Champion award recognizes those who fundraised more than $50,000. |
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Grand Champion The Grand Champion award recognizes those who fundraised more than $100,000. |
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Top 10 Fundraisers These 10 individuals raised the most money amongst their volunteer peers. |
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TeXellence in Fundraising and Rookie of the Year Awards The last of our core values, Stewardship of the Tradition, asks us to protect and advance this mission for those who will come after us. Through David Osborne’s leadership in fundraising, they have not only supported the present work of the Fair but helped secure its future, earning him the highest expression of stewardship, the TeXellence in Fundraising Award. Closing out the night of recognition, The Rookie of the Year award was presented to Karen “KK” Atkinson Rookie of the Year represents more than just a strong start – it represents the future of the State Fair of Texas. Our traditions survive because new people choose to carry them forward. Karen has not only shown dedication in her first years, but a genuine commitment to the mission we all serve. Please join us in congratulating these individuals for all their fundraising efforts to support the Fair’s nonprofit mission. It is with their efforts that we can continue giving back to our fellow Texans year-round through our community programs and initiatives. |