AUSTIN— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is pleased to announce the Grand Prize Winners of the Texas General Land Office's (GLO) 2026 Save Texas History Essay Contest: 4th-graderJocelyn Narcy from Katy and 7th-grader Lizzy LaGrone from Texarkana. This year, 582 4th and 7th-grade students submitted essays discussing a historical person, event, place, group, or cultural tradition of their choosing, however big or small, that helped shape Texas. There were also 10 finalists chosen from the hundreds of incredible essays.
"As a ninth-generation Texan and a mom, one of my top priorities is preserving our state's proud history for future generations," said Commissioner Buckingham. "For more than 16 years, the General Land Office's Save Texas History Essay Contest has given young Texans the chance to highlight unique parts of Texas's story. This year, students helped preserve our rich history by inviting readers to learn more about the people, cultures, and traditions that shaped the Lone Star State. I congratulate the Grand Prize Winners and finalists and thank every student and teacher for participating in our mission to save Texas history!"
Jocelyn, daughter of Kristen and Joseph Narcy, is in Adrienne DuBose’s class at Zelma Hutsell Elementary School in Katy. Her essay, The Spirit of Texas in Action, spotlights the cultural impact of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It “is the heartbeat of our city,” Jocelyn writes, and “honors the hardworking ranchers of the past while helping the students of today.”
Lizzy, daughter of Elaine and R.J. LaGrone, is in Jaylin Franklin’s class at Texas Middle School in Texarkana. Her essay, The Secret of the Seawall – Life After the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, showcases the engineering feats undertaken to protect the island. Lizzy rightfully notes that, “The effects of this disaster are still felt in Galveston today.”
The grand prize winners will each receive a $500 gift card courtesy of Christopher Cantu of Kingsview Partners, and a two-night free stay in Austin courtesy of Hampton Inn and Suites. The ten finalists, five from each grade, will each receive a $100 gift card courtesy of the Moses Austin Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and other donors.
Both grand-prize winners and finalists will receive Save Texas History backpacks, a letter of appreciation signed by Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., and other items from the Texas General Land Office, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and the Texas State Historical Association. Teachers of winning students will also receive complimentary items.
Fourth Grade Finalists:
Marcela Flores
Geraldine Palmer Elementary School
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Rocio Flores and Jorge Cardenas, Pharr, TX
Teacher: Azeneth Razo
Essay Topic: Texas Cowboys
Kai Fowler
Leakey ISD
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Shaelyn Fowler and Taylor Hollis, Leakey, TX
Teacher: Valerie Yeschke
Essay Topic: The People of the Pecos
Clark Michalson
Spring Branch Academic Institute
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Daisy and Brett Michalson, Houston, TX
Teacher: Joshua Rohn
Essay Topic: Texas Railways
Elizabeth Phillippe
Barton Hills Elementary School
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Anne and John Phillippe, Austin, TX
Teacher: Crystal Taylor
Essay Topic: The Painted Churches of Central Texas
Micah Wilfert
Rosebud-Lott ISD
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Renee and Mark Wilfert, Rosebud, TX
Teacher: Jenna Kleypas
Essay Topic: Texas Oil
Seventh Grade Finalists:
Macy Adam
Oak Run Middle School
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Michelle and Jason Adam, New Braunfels, TX
Teacher: Lisa Nelson
Essay Topic: Ferdinand J. Lindheimer, the “Father of Texas Botany”
Linda Aguilar
Horizon Montessori III
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Linda Aguilar Ortiz and Bayron Aguilar, Harlingen, TX
Teacher: Philip Coronado
Essay Topic: San Antonio’s “Chili Queens”
Keylee Cervantes-Lira
IDEA Weslaco Pike College Preparatory Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Citlaly Lira and Felipe Cervantes, Mercedes, TX
Teacher: Dulce Quiroz
Essay Topic: Jane Yelvington McCallum
Annabelle Cosby
Homeschooled
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Heather and Ryan Cosby, Sweetwater, TX
Teacher: Heather Cosby
Essay Topic: The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II
Aaradhana Siva
Daniel L. Jones Middle School
Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Devi Subramanian and Siva Govindarajan, Celina, TX Teacher: Grace Sullivan
Essay Topic: African American granny midwives in Texas
Click below to view the 2026 Save Texas History Essay Contest StoryMap and read the winning essays:
2026 STH Essay Contest StoryMap
All public, private, and home-schooled students of appropriate age for the fourth or seventh grade were eligible to participate. Essays for the annual contest were judged on how their topic was developed, cohesiveness of thought, organization, and use of sources. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation were also taken into account.
You can follow Save Texas History on Facebook and X. Follow the Texas General Land Office Facebook, X, and YouTube.
About the Save Texas History Program:
The Texas General Land Office Save Texas History™ program is a statewide initiative to rally public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of more than 35 million historic maps and documents. With the twin goals of preservation and education, the Save Texas History program seeks to conserve these documents for future generations and educate Texans about the rich heritage found in these vital records.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.