On December 18, another of Lucille Scharnhorst’s grandchildren graduated from Texas A&M University. What made the event more significant is that for 16 consecutive years, through that graduation, Lucille had one or more grandchildren enrolled at Texas A&M, and this latest grandchild was the sixth to graduate over those years out of her eight grandchildren. And through all those years, Lucille attended many Texas A&M football games (sitting in pouring rain through all of one game); every graduation for her grandchildren; and some other key events – including a few “ring dunkings” (following a student receiving their senior ring).

Lucille had emphasized the importance of education to her children for a long time, resulting in all four of them earning degrees, one of them from Texas A&M, as well as advanced degrees later on. Then her children fostered the same importance and determination upon their own children. The love and devotion shown by Lucille’s attending high school sports events and graduations for her grandchildren, followed by her avid support for the Aggies and their graduations from Texas A&M, made quite an impression on her grandchildren. So, they told the story to The Association of Former Students. Their “Omie,” who had grown up working very hard, experiencing genuine poverty, not benefiting from higher education – yet instilling the importance of education in her children and their children, deserves to be an Aggie, they said.

The Association of Former Students for Texas A&M, in a certificate signed October 22, 2009, recognized Lucille Scharnhorst as an “Honorary Texas Aggie,” “…for proudly representing the very best of the Aggie Spirit and unselfishly living her life with uncompromising integrity, commitment, and devotion.” There are still two more grandchildren attending schools within the Texas A&M system, and Lucille will be proud to attend their graduations from those or any other institution.

Lucille’s grandchildren are as proud of her as she is of them. She has been a resident of Blanco for over 30 years, a very active member of her church, and we are happy to be sharing this story and honor bestowed upon an amazing woman of strength and determination.