The 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is proving to be a place where Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) students and staff can shine a light on special education.
On March 6, Shone Richard, an educational aide at Highpoint School, kicked off Spring Break with a musical performance on Black Heritage Night. Performing under his stage name, S. Dott, Richard brought high-energy Zydeco – a Creole-Cajun-inspired genre known for its infectious rhythms – to the Junction Stage. His selections had the crowd on their feet, setting the tone for a great break that started with an evening of dancing.
Among the highlights was his performance of “Slow Wind,” a Houston-area favorite that had attendees moving and singing along, a tune also enjoyed at many HCDE employee events.
Three students from Academic and Behavioral School (ABS) West let their imaginations run wild as they lived out their cowboy and cowgirl dreams with fun and safe critters at the Lil’ Rustlers Rodeo on March 17. India Fleming and Houston Aguilera, from Alief Independent School District (ISD), and Severus Nevarez from Magnolia ISD all saddled up to ride a seesaw bucking bull, rope a calf dummy and participate in a stick horse barrel race.
Hosted by the Special Children’s Committee, the event invites 4- to 10-year-olds with special needs to experience the magic of the Houston tradition, while parents and guardians sit back and enjoy. Each cowboy and cowgirl was accompanied by a Rodeo volunteer and received a Lil’ Rustlers Rodeo belt buckle, Bowlegged “H” trophy and goodie bag filled with prizes to remember their experience.