Commissioner Sid Miller Honors Cade Ingram from The Woodlands with February GROW Award (2/16/2017)

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is pleased to honor Cade Ingram, a senior from the Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, as the winner of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s monthly GROW award. The award Gives Recognition for Outstanding Work to middle and high school students who demonstrate leadership and excellence inside and outside the classroom.

“I’d like to say how proud I am of Cade for earning this month’s GROW award,” Commissioner Miller said. “Young Texans like Cade make me hopeful for the future of our great state. He’s got the talent and the drive to succeed that has been fueling success in Texas for hundreds of years. Way to go, Cade!”

Cade was chosen from hundreds of Texas students for demonstrating leadership and academic success in her school activities, as well as her commitment to community service.

“I am honored to receive the February 2017 GROW award from the Texas Department of Agriculture,” Cade said. “I want to thank the adult leaders who have supported and cultivated in me a sense of service, responsibility and leadership. My parents, 4-H managers and project leaders, Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training, (AFJROTC) instructors and teachers provided me opportunities and experiences to develop the skills that resulted in the person I am today. I look forward to paying my successes forward and helping others become leaders.”

Cade was nominated for the GROW award by Julie Birkner, his club manager for the Montgomery County 4-H Shotgun Team. Cade’s dedication to his academics, community and extracurricular activities made him the perfect choice for this award.

“Cade is an exceptional young man who is dedicated to both his education and extracurricular activities,” Birkner said. “He loves a challenge and embraces success and defeat openly. Cade has been an asset to our club, and there is not a more deserving person for this award.”

Cade currently serves as third vice president and teen leader for Trail’s End 4-H, while also serving as second vice president and new shooter mentor for Montgomery County 4-H Shotgun Team. Last year, Cade received the Danforth “I Dare You” award from the Montgomery County 4-H, which recognized his self-character and leadership skills. This is the second highest honor a 4-H member can receive. Additionally, he was honored with the Unsung Hero award from 4-H. At the state level, Cade placed first with his Natural Resources Record Book culminating in a trip to Washington, D.C. for the Texas Leadership Conference. Cade also participated at the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Games and placed sixth in the Modified Trap event.

In addition to 4-H, Cade is an active member of his community, spending more than  100 hours serving his community since his freshman year of high school. Beyond his extracurricular activities and community service, Cade is a great student, performing well academically, and he is a member in the Science National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society and National FFA Organization.

After graduation, Cade plans to attend Texas A&M University in Galveston to pursue a degree in ocean and coastal resources. He also plans to work towards a master’s degree in marine resource management.

For more on Cade’s accomplishments, click here. The Texas Department of Agriculture established the GROW award to celebrate outstanding student leaders who demonstrate excellence in either their academic or extracurricular activities. Students can be nominated by community leaders such as teachers, coaches, school administrators, mayors, county judges or anyone else committed to recognizing youth leadership and achievement.

Between October to May each year, TDA selects one Texas student per month to receive the GROW award. Our next award will be given out in March 2017. Nominations will be due by Mar. 1, 2017. To learn more about GROW, click here.