Barbecue, Cattle Drives, and a Whole Lot of Texas Pride: Kids’ Essays Bring Lone Star History to Life

Young Texans are helping keep history alive, one essay at a time. More than 700 students across the Lone Star State submitted entries for the 2025 Save Texas History Essay Contest, a record-breaking number that proves Texas pride runs deep even in its youngest residents. Sponsored by the Texas General Land Office’s Save Texas History Program, the annual contest invites fourth and seventh graders to write about the people, places, events, or traditions that helped shape the state’s identity.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., who oversees the contest, praised the students’ creativity and commitment to preserving the past. “As a proud ninth-generation Texan, I’m honored to help preserve the legacy of our great state,” she said. “Every year, I’m amazed by the depth of insight these students bring. They’re not just learning history—they’re becoming stewards of it.”

This year’s fourth-grade grand prize winner is Jack Clemons of Robinson Intermediate School. Jack’s essay, “Moo-ving” Cattle to the North: The History of Cattle Drives, explored how 19th-century cattle trails helped shape Texas’ economy and identity. “Texas had an abundance of land and cattle,” Jack wrote, “and longhorns and ranches had become an important part of the Texas economy.”

In the seventh-grade category, Karsyn Mack from Livingston Junior High earned top honors for his essay, The Evolution of Texas Barbeque. Karsyn examined the cultural influences behind one of Texas’ most iconic cuisines and explained how barbecue has become a symbol of community and heritage. “Texas barbeque is more than just food: It’s an experience,” he wrote.

Both winners will receive a $500 gift card, courtesy of Christopher Cantu of Kingsview Partners, and a two-night stay in Austin provided by Hampton Inn and Suites. Ten additional students—five from each grade level—were recognized as finalists for their outstanding work. Their essay topics ranged from Treaty Oak and German immigration to World War II and Spanish missions. Each finalist will receive a $100 gift card, a Save Texas History backpack, a personalized letter from Commissioner Buckingham, and gifts from the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Texas State Historical Association. Teachers of winning students will also receive gift cards and classroom items.

The Save Texas History Essay Contest is part of the General Land Office’s broader mission to preserve and promote more than 35 million historic maps and documents dating back to the 1800s. The contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled fourth and seventh graders, with entries judged on historical understanding, writing quality, organization, and originality.

For these young historians, the contest is more than just a school assignment—it’s a chance to connect with their roots and help preserve the stories that continue to shape Texas today.