Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Former Spring Branch FFA student gives back to the next generation

For Dr. Rachael Fargerson, Memorial High School (MHS) alum and proud product of the Guthrie Center Ag Science program, the lessons she learned in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) never faded. They shaped her career, built her confidence and pointed her toward veterinary medicine. Today, she is a mixed-animal veterinarian who shows up for students the same way her teachers once showed up for her.

“The school and the Spring Branch FFA program really means the world to me,” she said. Her commitment to students makes that clear.

Finding her path in SBISD

Dr. Fargerson joined the Ag Science program her junior year and quickly found her place. The hands-on work, friendships, competitions and guidance from teachers gave her purpose and direction.

She credits teachers Jane Primrose and Christy Capps for opening her eyes to what a future in veterinary medicine could look like. Their leadership and example, especially in a field where she rarely saw women at the time, helped her believe she could do the same work and thrive.

Learning by doing

Through raising animals, managing projects, speaking events and team competitions, Dr. Fargerson built the foundation she uses in her career every day. She learned to communicate clearly, solve problems under pressure and care for animals with confidence. She also built early relationships with veterinarians who later became mentors, employers and strong supporters of her college applications.

A career built on purpose

After graduation, Dr. Fargerson enrolled in the Blinn TEAM program and eventually transitioned to full-time enrollment at Texas A&M. She earned her degree in animal science in 2018 and later her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2022.

She now practices in Schulenburg as a mixed-animal veterinarian, working with both large and small animals. The job looks different from what she imagined as a student.

“I thought it would be mostly medical,” she said. “But so much of this work is communication and building trust with people. You have to understand the animals and the families who love them.”

Her time in CTE prepared her for this long before she stepped into a clinic. Speaking contests, judging teams, leadership roles and long hours at the barn taught her how to communicate clearly and stay calm when things get tough.

Giving back to SBISD students

Even with a full schedule, Dr. Fargerson continues to support Spring Branch FFA students year after year. She visits the barns, answers questions, helps students troubleshoot problems and shows up during Show and Sale when nerves are high and the stakes feel even higher.

“I know how much these experiences shaped me,” she said. “Being there for the next group of students feels important. Their work matters.”

When she talks about the students she meets today, she notices qualities she saw in herself at their age: curiosity, responsibility, resilience and a willingness to learn.

A strong program built for today’s students

Dr. Fargerson has seen the new improvements to SBISD's Agricultural Science Center and knows how much they will mean for future students. Updated barns, better space and opportunities to learn horticulture, welding, grooming, floral design and more give students a wider range of skills and exposure.

“These are real skills students can use right after high school if they want to,” she said. “And they help students gain confidence because they can see their work come to life.”

She is also excited about the new Guthrie Center coming in the 2026 to 2027 school year. She believes the building will give students more room to grow, create and take on meaningful work that connects to the real world.

Why CTE matters now

“I want families to know that CTE is so much more than technical training,” Dr. Fargerson said. “It helps students understand who they are, what matters to them and what they’re capable of. It opens doors to scholarships, mentors and real opportunities. Students discover strengths they may not have seen in themselves yet.”

“My time in CTE showed me I could achieve anything I worked for,” she said. “I hope students today leave with that same confidence.”

Coming full circle

For Dr. Fargerson, giving back is simple. The program helped shape her future, and now she wants to help students find their own path. “As long as the program is here, I’ll keep coming back,” she said. “Spring Branch gave me so much. Supporting these students is the least I can do.”

• To learn more about Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Spring Branch ISD, visit the SBISD CTE website. 
• For information on upcoming CTE events, visit the Guthrie Center website.