Students from Duncanville, Lancaster and dozens of other Dallas‑area high schools have been invited to the State Fair of Texas for the eighth annual Big Tex Next Fest on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The free event, held in the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center at Fair Park, will bring together over 70 industry partners to help high‑school juniors and seniors explore career paths, learn financial basics and discover ways to serve their communities.
Who’s attending
More than 400 students from schools such as Carrollton‑Farmers Branch, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation, H. Grady Spruce, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, James Madison, Justin F. Kimball, Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet, Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management, New Tech, North Dallas, Skyline, W. H. Adamson, Woodrow Wilson and W.W. Samuell will be on site. The roster reflects a broad cross‑section of Dallas County districts, giving students from diverse backgrounds a chance to network with professionals.
Program highlights
Fifth Third Bank Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Attendees will learn the fundamentals of launching and growing a small business, from turning ideas into opportunities to accessing resources that support entrepreneurial goals.
Frost Bank Hall of Knowledge: An interactive session that presents real‑world financial scenarios, helping students develop practical money‑management skills before they enter the workforce.
Speed Mentoring presented by Mentor Connector: A rapid‑fire networking format where students meet professionals across a wide range of fields, ask questions and gain insight into potential career paths.
College, Career, Military, and Youth Services Resource Fair: Representatives from post‑secondary institutions, vocational programs, military recruiters and youth‑service organizations will provide information on options after graduation.
Civic Engagement (in partnership with Senator Royce West’s office): This session introduces students to local civic organizations and the processes that shape their neighborhoods, encouraging them to become active advocates for issues they care about.
Lunch and Learn Panel: While enjoying lunch, students will hear from established professionals who will share career journeys, offer advice and answer questions.
Keynote speaker
The event will be emceed by 97.9 The Beat personalities Spaceboi Fresh and Kirby Lozano. Former Rose Bowl champion and NFL player Keith Davis will deliver the keynote address. As founder of The Winners Organization, Davis has spoken in more than 68 countries, urging audiences that “it’s never too late to make a U‑Turn in your life.”
Logistics
Big Tex Next Fest runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 17. Parents and school groups should use Gate 2, located at the corner of Parry Avenue and Haskell Avenue, for parking and student drop‑off.
Why it matters
By connecting students with mentors, financial education and civic resources, the festival aligns with the State Fair’s belief that today’s students are already leaders of tomorrow. The hands‑on sessions aim to empower youth to build the future they want while addressing immediate needs such as career readiness and financial literacy.
Local educators and parents have praised the initiative for providing a safe, supportive environment where students can explore opportunities beyond the classroom. As the Texas economy continues to grow, events like Big Tex Next Fest help ensure the next generation is prepared to contribute to thriving families, businesses and communities.
Original reporting: Focus Daily News — read the source article.
