They are among the 385 total Whataburger Family Members and dependents who will receive $750,000 in scholarships from the Whataburger Family Foundation for Fall 2021. 

These seniors navigated virtual and in-person instruction, and different learning models, as their high schools adapted to challenges from the pandemic. Then, they masked up and went to work serving up Whataburger hospitality to their communities. 

For many of them, their part-time jobs were crucial to their families, as other members of their household lost income due to the economic downturn. 

“This year has particularly demonstrated the important role that profitable companies play in the community,” scholarship recipient Abigail Turner, who works at Unit 997 in Houston, said. “Whataburger is a great example of this. We are providing food to people in our community, and jobs to people like me.The Whataburger Family Foundation is another example of how a profitable business can have further impact on the community.” 

Turner will be attending Southern Illinois University this fall to study business, joining the 385 other Family Members whose loads are just a little bit lighter this fall.

“This scholarship will not only lessen the impact of my educational costs, but it will also make a huge impact by helping me move forward to pursue my dreams in business management,” she said.

Scroll through to read a few of their stories.

Four Years of Scholarships Later, He's Rolling Into a New Whataburger Career

Family Member Robert Ranara started working at Whataburger alongside his dad when he was 16 years old. This spring, he graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio debt-free -- thanks to four years of Whataburger Family Foundation Scholarships. Now, he's started a new Whataburger adventure -- watch the video to hear his story. 

Whataburger Family Foundation scholarships are just one way Whataburger cares for its Family Members. In addition to these annual awards, Whataburger is committed to training and developing the next generation of leaders for the hospitality industry by ensuring all Family Members have the chance to grow and build their careers within the company. Learn more here!

Whataburger Museum of Art can be found by visiting @TheWMOA. The collection features artists from cities across our 17-state footprint and beyond. It includes a variety of perspectives and interpretations of Whataburger fandom, with the artwork sourced through Instagram and online galleries. Many of these artists had tagged @Whataburger in the past, and we knew we wanted to shine a light on their great work. 

Information about each individual artist and their inspirations can be found on their dedicated posts and ‘The Artists’ Story Highlight. We encourage everyone who visits @TheWMOA to explore the artists' accounts to support them and purchase their artwork.

Inspired to share your own orange-and-white masterpiece? We’re currently accepting artwork submissions from Whataburger fans everywhere. Tag @TheWMOA to share your delicious works of art!

Cross stitching not only cures boredom – it reduces stress, improves mental focus, promotes creativity, and the end result is a satisfying craft that makes the perfect gift!

Gather your supplies, follow the downloadable pattern, and be sure to share your designs with us by tagging us @Whataburger on Instagram and Twitter!

Supplies:

• 10" Embroidery Hoop
• Aida Cloth (14 Count)
• Embroidery Needle
• Embroidery Floss:
  • Orange (DMC 608)
  • White (DMC 5200)
  • Black (DMC 310)
  • Blue (DMC 3845)
  • Pink (DMC 3607)
  • Green (DMC 3818)
  • Yellow (for fries) (DMC 444 & DMC 728)
  • Yellow (for flowers) (DMC 307)

Instructions:

1. Secure Aida cloth in embroidery hoop.

2. Follow the pattern and stitch out your design!

3. Trim down excess fabric around edges of embroidery hoop and secure remaining fabric behind hoop.

Show them your love is real by sending them a Whataburger Valentine's Day card! With 5 downloadable options ranging from sweet to spicy, you can share your Whatasized love for everyone in your life!

"Something just told me to ask for her phone number," Smith said. "I was sure she gave me a fake phone number, so I pulled over in the parking lot and called it right there."

It was the right number, and turns out, Melissa Maese was the right girl. 

"My younger years, I was a mess," Cody said. "But she just stayed by me and gave me hope -- she loved me until I could love myself."

So when it was finally time to propose 15 years later - Cody knew it couldn't be anywhere else but the Whataburger drive-thru. He asked for our help surprising her in the drive-thru, and of course we were happy to go the extra mile.

We decorated a check-back tray, put Cody in a Whataburger uniform, and prepared some extra touches to make sure the day was just perfect. Then, Cody asked Melissa to come pick up food for a picnic, and we got hidden cameras rolling.

This time, Melissa was the one in the drive-thru placing the order for two Justaburgers, thinking she was getting food for a family picnic, with no idea Cody was inside in disguise -- and this was one delivery that was serving up pure love. 

Tayler Texas is here with a quick confetti popper DIY that will dazzle with shimmery delight when the clock strikes midnight.

Gather up your supplies, and follow along with the instructions and video below!

Supplies:

• toilet paper roll
• wrapping paper
• large balloon
• scissors
• tape
• confetti

Instructions:

1. Wrap your toilet paper roll with wrapping paper, folding in the edges and taping them down inside the tube.
2. Cut your balloon in half, then place the bottom half of the balloon around one end of your wrapped toilet paper roll.
3. Fill the tube with confetti.
4. While pointing the confetti popper away from yourself and others, pull back lightly on the balloon piece and release to send confetti pieces flying in celebration of the new year!

Show us how you celebrate the New Year Whataburger style! Tag us on Instagram or Twitter @Whataburger!

For more from Tayler Texas, find her on Instagram @tayler_texas. 

But does your holiday decor delight with deliciousness? If your tree needs a Whataburger upgrade, Tayler Texas is here with the perfect Whatacraft tutorial that will help you create a collection of clay ornaments. 

Print out your downloadable pattern, gather up your supplies, and follow along!

We'd love to see your Whataburger tree! Tag us on social media, and let us see your masterpieces.

 For more from Tayler Texas, find her on Instagram @tayler_texas. 

Hip Hop Christmas by Twin Musicom (twinmusicom.org). Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license.
Original shortened or modified for the length of the synchronized video. Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/ 

But sometimes? You really can have it all.

Introducing the table spread of your dreams, created by Bryan Gonzales and Monica Nino of The Board Couple. Their charcuterie creations have been center stage at celebrations of all kinds -- from weddings and wineries to business parties and baby showers. Now, in a true triumph of takeout perfection... meet the Whataboard!

Want to show off your Whataboard design skills? Post your creation and tag us -- or use the hashtag #Whataboard.

“I would like to dedicate this next song to the @Whatabuger that used to live in Bellmead, Texas #BabyComeBack,” he posted on Twitter.

Yes, there was another Whataburger in Waco only about 4 miles away, but with I-35 in the area perpetually under construction, it could be a long drive.

Expectant mom Courtney Ott was feeling Ethan’s pain. “I'm waiting 30 minutes into our drive to get a Pico de Gallo burger from Whataburger because the one in Bellmead is gone,” she posted. “This is commitment and love.”

But what Courtney, Ethan, and the rest of the burger fans in Bellmead didn’t know was that their Hometown Whataburger’s temporary absence meant it was undergoing a makeover of epic proportions.

The original restaurant was razed to the ground, and cleared out to make way for a first-of-its kind, new large-unit prototype that is geared to make everything fans love about Whataburger even better.

“There’s a lot of things that people hold sacred, if you will, about our brand,” said James Turcotte, senior vice president of real estate for Whataburger. “That’s the iconic A-frame, the visuals, our branding, the linkage to our past. We really tried to blend those concepts in the prototype.”

The nod to the A-frame design is front and center, with glowing signs above each customer entrance that celebrate Whataburger’s instantly-recognizable architecture. They lead into a dining room that is bright and welcoming -- with more glass than any other restaurant in the system. 

When customers step up to order, menu boards feature rotating videos of Whataburger favorites in mouth-watering details. For those eating in, the mix of booths, chairs and stools are designed for customer choice. Whether it's a student studying solo, a family sitting down for dinner after church, or a team celebrating a win on the field, there are seating arrangements for everyone.

Between bites, diners can scan the custom-designed wall art that honors their hometown landmarks. Look closely at the wallpaper, and you’ll find the city’s water tower, the MKT railroad yard that Bellmead grew up around, and an “LV” in honor of Bellmead’s La Vega High School.

“We want this to be a place that feels like part of the community,” said General Manager Shaun Barnett, who started at Whataburger as a team member seven years ago. “We know that people in Bellmead are ready to have their restaurant back, and it’s exciting to be able to welcome them home.” 

Barnett and many other Whataburger employees from the original restaurant have been working at other locations during the rennovation. When the doors open in Bellmead, they'll be working in a kitchen designed to get delicious Whataburger food out faster and fresher than ever. The restaurant is the first Whataburger to have two sets of fryers and a longer cook-and-prep line that allow Family Members to serve up burgers from the two grills pronto. 

With the demand for curbside and delivery orders growing, the restaurant has a dedicated hot hold area to make sure curbside and delivery orders stay “just off-the-grill fresh” while waiting for pick up. 

 In the glow of a Central Texas sunset just days before the restaurant opens in November 2020, Ethan Horton and his wife Randi are all smiles as they peek through the windows at the new unit. Work is about to move the couple to Lubbock, but they say it’s good to know that when they come home to Bellmead, their hometown Whataburger will be waiting, better than ever.

“I guess #BabyCameBack,” he says. 

We know it feels like March 325th... but it's October, and Halloween is upon us.

There's no point rushing out to the store for a last-minute costume. We've seen those aisles. They're already decorated for Christmas.

But don't panic -- we have the perfect costume. It's a quick DIY that will cost you less than $30 in materials (you might already have most supplies on hand), goes together in a snap, and hides those extra pandemic pounds with flair.

Presenting, Courtesy of Tayler Texas -- The No. 1 with Cheese! Find her @tayler_texas on Instagram!

Have your own Whataburger costume? We want to see it! Tag us on Instagram or Twitter @Whataburger!

In a year full of challenges, they are turning obstacles into opportunities, one mute button at a time.

That’s why this World Teachers’ Day we’re saluting all educators with a special “Thank You” message on our restaurant pole signs. And to honor some special educators this World Teachers’ Day, Whataburger asked more than 100 schools from Florida to Arizona to identify true superheroes on their campuses. 

The stories came flooding in.

For one teacher, a deeply personal loss fueled a passion to advocate for suicide prevention measures. Another saw a student in need and reached across a language barrier to help a whole family with food, clothing, technology supplies, and even affordable housing. Another masked up and drove to every student’s house with a gift bag and curbside “Meet-the-Teacher” night. 

On World Teachers’ Day, we’ll be surprising these teachers with fun Whataburger swag, gift cards to make meal time super convenient, and Visa gift cards to treat themselves. (Step away from the school supply aisle, please!)

Our Whataburger Feeding Student Success program is committed to helping all students succeed, and we’re proud to honor the women and men who make that their lives’ work. 

Here’s how to play:

• Download and print all 36 colorful Whataburger Lotería cards to make a full deck.
• Download all 4 versions of the tablas, or playing boards, and give every player a tabla. For big families, team up on the tablas. The more eyes the better!
• Place a pile of small markers – dried beans, small pebbles, bottle caps, corks – in the middle of the table so everyone can reach them.
• Now, choose someone to be The Announcer. This person will hold all the cards and won’t have a tabla.
• To begin, The Announcer pulls a card from the deck and reads it aloud.
• Any player with that image on their tabla places a marker on the corresponding square.
• The Announcer continues to pull and call cards until a player covers three squares on their tabla in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row, or fills their table completely.
• Any player with a winning row of covered squares shouts “Whataburger!” and is declared the winner of the round.
• Play as many rounds as you want!
   

Game Play Variations:

• Rotate the role of Announcer among all players after each round.
• Switch tablas between players after every round.
• At the end of the game, the winner of the most rounds is treated to their favorite Whataburger meal.

Download your Whataburger Lotería Cards today, below! / ¡Descarga hoy mismo tu lotería de Whataburger!

So of course, Whataburger needed to pull out all the stops to celebrate National Dog Day with the Ulti-Mutt Pooch Party alongside our friends at the San Antonio Humane Society.

What happens when Whataburger takes over a shelter for a day? We bring out all the treats: a Whataburger doghouse, new pet gear, lots and lots of playtime, and a bacon-topped cake as we celebrate Whataburger's 70th Anni-fur-sary (that's 490 in dog years!)​.

Whether you want to adopt a dog, bid on that sweet Whataburger doghouse, unleash your dog's inner diva with our new pet swag, or just stare at cute puppies, we've got you covered. Sit. Stay. Order delivery. Fur real, you've earned this.

Nothing warms a Whataburger fan’s heart on a road trip more than seeing the Flying W logo atop a pole sign, a beacon that a hot meal and a warm welcome is just moments away. 

But soon, instead of pulling up to a Whataburger, Whataburger could be pulling up to you – as the company celebrates its 70th birthday with the launch of the Whataburger Food Truck, a state-of-the-art masterpiece in orange and white. 

“We wanted a way to connect even more with our communities and to introduce Whataburger to new customers in a new and exciting way,” said Rich Scheffler, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation for Whataburger. “And this truck is a showstopper.” 

  The truck is truly a Whataburger on wheels, 36-foot long with 24 feet of cooking space powered by a 30,000-watt generator. Featuring a 4-foot grill, it has the same kind of burger-making power as a brick-and-mortar restaurant. 

Thirty laminated vinyl panels wrap it from bumper to bumper, featuring burgers so realistic you can almost smell the sizzle. LED lights give the truck a distinctive glow, and the custom grill featuring the Flying W adds another layer of swagger.  

“We have worked on the idea of a Food Truck for years,” Scheffler said. “But we didn’t want it to roll out of the garage until it could turn heads and bring our restaurant quality food to the road. This truck fits the bill.” 

Fueled by a local partnership 

The truck was transformed from vision to reality with the help of Cruising Kitchens, a San Antonio-based company and the leading food truck and mobile business fabricator in the world. The partnership with Whataburger and the fabrication of the truck will be featured on an episode of  "Built for Business," Cruising Kitchens’ MotorTrends TV show. 

Working on the project was a dream come true, says Owner Cameron Davies. For more than a decade, he’d hoped to earn the opportunity to build a Whataburger Food Truck, because of the values shared by both companies. 

“Whataburger is run like a big family,” Davies said. “They care about taking care of their people, and that’s important to us, too.” 

 In 2021, the truck will hit the road for a multi-state tour, with stops in Whataburger's existing markets and cities. As the brand expands into new markets, the truck will give new locations and fans a taste of what’s coming. What’s more, it will be available to help during natural disasters and emergency events, where a hot Whataburger meal can help make a difference.  

  “We always say it’s the look of the truck that brings people in, it’s the taste of the food that brings them back,” Davies says. “This truck has the best of both.”   

Whataburger is proud of our past, and excited about our future – and what the next 70 years will bring.

To kick off Orange Spirit Week, Whataburger is excited to announce the creation of the Tiger Resource Room Powered by Whataburger at Grambling State University. Read more here on how this student-led partnership will change a community. 

Our new Feeding Student Success Program will support students and educators through resource rooms at community colleges and universities, a new scholarship program to help students in our communities reach their dreams, and giving to education programs that serve students who need help the most.   

Our new Whataburger Food Truck made its debut -- serving up meals and love to educators as they get ready to start a school year like no other.  

Their connection? The Whataburger Family Foundation is paving the path to their goals with more than $1 million in scholarships. In the 2020-2021 academic year, these scholarships are going to approximately 270 recipients. 

For Family Members in the class of 2020, who have been true front-line heroes, working through a pandemic even as their schooling went virtual, the good news couldn’t have been more welcome. 

“I was actually at work when I found out, and I quickly went to go tell my manager,” said Abcde Espinoza, a Team Member at Unit 112 in San Antonio. “I just feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.” 

Abcde, who plans to go to Texas Tech and pursue a pre-law degree, shares that sense of excitement with Whataburger Family Members from Florida to Arizona. 

Scroll through to read a few of their stories.

Whataburger Family Foundation scholarships are just one way Whataburger cares for its Family Members. In addition to these annual awards, Whataburger is committed to training and developing the next generation of leaders for the hospitality industry by ensuring all Family Members have the chance to grow and build their careers within the company. Learn more here!

While you’re at it, order something nice for all the moms in your life. We’re talking about grandma, your wife, even the lady next door who puts up with your childish behavior. Spread the love!

Charms

James Avery charms for the most charming woman you know. Cheesy? Yes. Does your mom care? No. She just wants the charms. Favorite Kid Status: Secured.

Cosmetic Bag

Here’s something you might not know: Your mom probably needs a new cosmetic bag. She would never tell you this, because she’s the world’s kindest and most selfless person. But this is a gift she’ll use every day (and think of you). Bonus: It has a built-in compliment.

Shoes / Boots

Here’s some free advice: MOMS LOVE SHOES. Here’s some more free advice: We sell shoes. Western boots. Sneakers. Slip-ons. Whatever your sweet saint of a mother prefers, we’ve got it. 

Sunshade

Here at Whataburger, we’re always looking out for you. When you’re hungry. When you’re thirsty. When you’re craving Spicy Ketchup. And, when your car gets really hot after it’s been sitting in the sun for a long time. Pretty thoughtful, right? And you know who really appreciates thoughtfulness? Your mom! She’ll love this sunshade, we promise.

Fanny Pack

If your mom’s anything like ours, she probably keeps a lot of supplies on hand. Just in case. Granola bars, nail clippers, stamps … you name it, she probably has it in her purse right this second. All that to say, she might need some extra storage … and that’s where the fanny pack comes in! Moms love practical gifts, plus she’ll appreciate the nostalgia. 

Socks

Last but not least... SOCKS! Everybody loves ’em. They keep you warm and toasty like a nice big hug from dear ol’ Mom. And they make for great homemade card content (Mom, you knock my socks off! Get it?! It’s comedy gold.)

Here’s our last piece of advice: Although your mom will love any of these gifts, she will also REALLY love spending time with you. So, order her favorite Whataburger menu item on our app, pick it up curbside, and sit down with her for a nice meal this weekend. Even if it's on a video call, it’ll be the perfect chance to remind her just how perfect you are.

From Easter celebrations to proms, to picnics, our fans sure are creative when it comes to bringing home the bacon.

Hoppy Easter!

Now this is an Easter Basket the whole family will be happy to wake up to!

_________________________

The Goodest Food and Doggos​

You being home more often means all doggos are living their best lives right now!
Enjoy the goodest food alongside your goodest boys and girls.

Photo courtesy of @clemipoo_

_________________________

Stay at Home, but make it Fashion

You’ve been living in your comfortable lounge clothes, there’s no shame in that.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be representing your favorite brand, you fashion icon.

Photo courtesy of @TimCiesco

_________________________

WhataProm!

After Prom was canceled, a Texas family hosted a “Prom on the Porch” for their senior and her siblings.
This Prom Queen knows that only the best food will do for her court!

Read the full story here! Photo courtesy of Jaci Chapman

_________________________

BOBs for Bunnies

We heard the Easter Bunny prefers Whataburger pancakes, taquitos, BOBs and HBCBs for breakfast.
So.. hop to it!

_________________________

Pawty On!

Who says you can’t still have the best birthday ever while staying home?! Pawty on!

Photo courtesy of @kirskin.black

_________________________

Picnic, Anyone?

With Whataburger’s curbside and drive-thru serving up all your
favorites – car picnic adventures are everything!

Photos courtesy of @sabinarushh, @mslaurenrobin, @lindseygillespiee

_________________________

Al Fresco Dining

You can still technically “go out to eat”… backyard picnic anyone? Don’t forget the Spicy Ketchup!

Photo courtesy of @memeurbanephoto

_________________________

Stop and Smell the Fries

Don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers, and let small fries enjoy their fries!

Photos courtesy of @morningswithem

_________________________

When Steven Cromwell tells his story, he thinks small. But he’s big on details.

Take, for example, his Whataburger replica. You can practically smell burgers and fries at the mini orange-and-white A-frame.

Cromwell is a diorama artist. When he creates miniatures, he keeps it real by drawing on his experiences. He’s also a native Texan who grew up eating Whataburger, and he worked there.

Check out what the artist has cooked up. Can it get any cuter than those teeny-tiny burgers?

Check out these Family Member stories!

Speedy Delivery

Local Lafayette, Louisiana, news anchor Al Hebert had to do a double-take when he checked his rearview mirror at a red light—only to see Whataburger manager Dexter Ledet get out of the car behind him and run toward Hebert’s window.

_________________________

Happy Birthday Whataburger​

We celebrated by donating more than $1 Million dollars and 1000+ volunteer hours!

_________________________

Whatamoments

#Whatamoments is a celebration of all the amazing things people do every day where even the smallest action creates a lasting impact.

_________________________

This Fry Guy crafts origami animals with a uniquely Whataburger feel

Kris Gellhause’s favorite thing to do is come in a few hours early every day to sit in the dining room and make origami animals for anyone who happens to be there.

_________________________

Putting Family First

When their restaurant closed, Whataburger Family Members went to work in the community

_________________________

From competitor to coordinator to cheerleader

In almost 20 years with the company, Sue Lee has been pretty much everything.

_________________________

They're helping me out of the goodness of their hearts

When Family Members at the Whataburger in Burleson, Texas, learned Jo Wright — their “work mom” — needed help around her house, they rolled up their sleeves and got busy.

_________________________

She lost her mother's wedding ring at Whataburger

She lost her mother's wedding ring at Whataburger. These Family Members were determined to get it back.

_________________________

WhataCoop

Trisha Ruiz has been a Whataburger fan as long as she can remember. And, well, she’s also always liked chickens.

_________________________

For American Idol Standout Chloe Channell, Songwriting and Whataburger Go Hand in Hand

This American Idol hopeful is all about Whataburger.

_________________________

Texas A&M grad asks best buds to be in his wedding in the most-Texas way possible​​

“When I think about good times with my friends, I think about fishing, and I think about Whataburger,”

_________________________

The 'Sole' of an Artist

With his family’s encouragement, Jake Danklefs turned a childhood hobby into an artistic business — with a year-long waiting list.

_________________________

Back in the Saddle

The first time Kaila Ducharme’s grandfather took her to a rodeo, she knew she was born to ride.   Right to a Whataburger.

_________________________

If Whataburger's not the right answer, the question is wrong​

His answer was so right. Yet it wasn’t. But that’s OK because social media’s on his side.

_________________________

Deep in the Art

Whataburger, his dad, and hard work are the muses for this San Antonio artist

_________________________

Cup Collector

Houston resident Foster Mohning can remember every visit he’s had to Whataburger. And he has the cups to prove it.

_________________________

Because of Scott Prince, students at Gulf Shores Middle School are racing to learn about STEM.

Prince, who teaches advanced placement physical science and makerspace engineering at Gulf Shores Middle School in Gulf Shores, Alabama, started a GreenpowerUSA racing team at his school.

The nationwide program puts students as young as 9-years-old in the driver’s seat of learning science, technology, engineering, and math. Teams design and build single-seat electric-powered cars and race against teams across the country.

Gulf Shores Middle School Principal Kyle McCartney introduced Prince to the program. Racing was a popular extracurricular activity at the schools in which McCartney previously served, and he knew Prince was the perfect fit.

“Scott is a fantastic teacher,” says McCartney. “He’s fun, hands-on, energetic, and he gets students engaged in science.”

Prince also got the community involved. He rallied Gulf Shores and Orange Beach businesses to donated tools and materials so the Gulf Shores Turbo Dolphins could build two cars they designed. Now in their second season, the students are working on a third car.

The payoff for Prince, who was just named Gulf Shore Middle School Teacher of the Year, is in watching the students work together.

“It’s great to see them take ownership and have pride in producing a final product,” he says. “Seeing them fight through, problem solve, come together, and come out on top is very rewarding.”

iNVision Photography

Everyone can sing, says Gulf Shores, Alabama, music teacher Gay James, and her mission is helping children find their voices.

“First, you have to get them to buy in,” says James, who has coaxed music from hundreds of students in her 23 years of teaching elementary school. Students in her music classes at Gulf Shores Elementary School learn to sing, and they play musical instruments.

Fourth- and fifth-graders in her extracurricular Dolphin Sound program play recorders, drums and bells, and they perform two musical productions each year.

“To hear their voices sing for the first time, it’s worth it in the end,” says James, who started playing piano and singing in her church choir as a child.

Though she earned a college degree in music education, she didn’t see herself where she is today.

“I never planned on being an elementary school teacher,” Gay says. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, so I fell into it.”

She worked 11 years as a legal secretary before finding her calling in the elementary classroom and her passion.

“Music can take you places,” says James, adding that music education builds confidence and improves academic performance.

In addition to teaching music, she leads the Gulf Shores Elementary after-school program and accompanies productions at South Baldwin Community Theatre.

“She’s a pretty fascinating woman,” says Ryan Anderson, who met James five years ago when she enrolled her son in kindergarten. “Part of the reason I say that is how she handles children. Some people would say she’s strict, but she has absolute and total command over her job and at the end of the day, the kids come up and hug her.”

In today’s technology-driven world, children — and their parents — consume music in different ways. But they need to hear their own voices.

“As educators, we have to do what we can to expose them to music,” she says. “Students need to experience a live performance. If nothing else, they will be singing lullabies to their children.”

iNVision Photography

Michael Wakeford intended to teach special education only for a year. He studied to be a history teacher and was planning to clock time until a history position opened up at his former high school. But that all changed on his first day of teaching.

“I’m standing outside of the school waiting for the students to arrive,” Wakeford says. “The first bus pulls up and a special education student, Samantha, gets off with a huge smile on her face. She’s a bundle of joy. And that’s when I thought: ‘I might be able to do this.’ After week three, I was hooked.”

Cut to 14 years later.

Not only is Wakeford still a special education teacher, but he also helms the Special Olympics Unified Sports program at Raymond S. Kellis High School in Glendale, Arizona. The pilot program launched in 2010. It pairs special education students (known as athletes) with their general education peers (known as partners) to play on the school’s sports teams together.

The program has been so successful that Kellis High was named a National Unified Champion School, which means the unified sports teams at Kellis compete in Special Olympics games at the national level.

Wakeford’s commitment to special education should not be that surprising considering his father spent 41 years in public education. At least half of that time was as an adaptive PE teacher and Special Olympics coach. “He is the biggest inspiration in my life,” Wakeford says of his father, Roger. “Everything I have done in my life I have done it to make him proud. I have followed in his footsteps every step of the way.”

Roger Wakeford often took his kids with him to Special Olympics events when he was a coordinator for more than 20 years. “Michael learned from that team concept early on,” Roger Wakeford says of his son. “It has served him in building a village at Kellis High School.”

That village includes former students like Zack Vernon, a recent Kellis graduate and Wakeford’s partner on the gold medal-winning Special Olympics Unified golf team for the city of Peoria, Arizona. Zack jokes that he carries his partner and former coach in tournaments. “Coach Wakeford is a pretty good guy,” Zack says. “He’s a fun guy to be around.”

“Zack blossomed when it went into the Kellis program and Mike Wakeford is a huge part of that,” says Zack’s dad Aaron Vernon. “We’re so grateful for everything he’s done. I wish we could do more for him to say ‘thank you’.”

For Wakeford’s role, he’s earned the Leadership in Teaching Award, was named the AIA Unified Coach of the Year and received the Rotary Club’s Peacemaker Award, which celebrates people who promote unity throughout their community and beyond.

“I often think back to Michael’s disappointment at not getting that history teaching job at his former high school,” Roger says. “It was such a blow at the time, but in hindsight, it enabled him to change culture and impact lives at a far greater reach than he could have ever imagined.”

And it all comes full circle. Kellis High just hired a former partner, Ann Marie Demeter, as a teacher for this school year.

“What we do takes a village,” Wakeford says. “The teachers, assistants, nursing staff, athletes and partners all work together. We’re not as different from each other as we think we are.”

Cara Bowerman had just learned to walk when she stepped into the classroom at Edmonton North High School on her first day as a teacher and a coach.

Recovering from multiple fractures from an automobile accident, the 22-year-old confesses she doubted her career choice.

“I had just learned to walk again,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘I barely have my life together. How am I going to teach a hundred kids about what I love?’”

She soon realized how much students could teach her.

Learning together

“Helping students get through their problems helped me get through my own issues. It’s like spreading the light was lighting up my life, too,” she says. “Teaching has been the greatest growing experience of my life.”

Bowerman, now a six-year teaching veteran, stresses real-world applications in her classes.

As head girls’ track and cross-country coach, Bowerman gives her athletes a great outlet for dealing with stress. Her art classes equip students with lifelong tools for coping with fears, traumatic experiences, or just the general difficulties of life.

“I’ve always used art as a way to heal,” she says. “It’s especially hard to process feelings as a teenager, to break out of that cycle and heal. That’s how I present art to my students. We have a curriculum, but it’s also a real-world tool.”

That approach resonates with students. “In the classroom, Cara has created an atmosphere of trust and creativity where her students thrive and feel safe,” says Debreon Davis, principal of Edmond North High School, where Bowerman was honored as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year.

Art, for Cara, is as much about health as exercise. “I see students having healthier mindsets and healthier behaviors when they’re incorporating art into their daily life,” she says.

Abraham Farrar Photography

For 12 years, Star Yellowfish has made it her mission to connect Native American students in Oklahoma City Public Schools to their roots. It’s a complex mission that focuses on the future of about 3,000 Native American students in the city’s school while delving deep into the past.

Yellowfish leads Native American Student Services, a program with two goals. She’s determined to give the students everything they need to succeed in school, from supplies to uniforms to motivation. She also wants them to understand their rich cultural heritage.

That also means teaching teachers.

“We are teaching teachers about native culture, and specifically native history,” Yellowfish says. “We go into schools and teach the third-graders and their teachers Oklahoma history from a native perspective.”

Yellowfish, a Cherokee on her father’s side, grew up on a Navajo reservation. She understands the value of being immersed in native culture.

Native American students in Oklahoma City get that immersion in activities outside the classroom. Summer camps, art shows, and an annual Stompdance and Powwow keep students engaged throughout the year.

“She cares about her students a lot,” says Talia Mendoza, a former student and co-worker.

Mendoza says Yellowfish was instrumental in helping her attend a program to get a close up look at the state legislature. “She paid my fees. She helped with our clothing and our school supplies,” Mendoza says. “She is really one of those genuine people you meet once in a lifetime.”

As a boy in El Reno, Oklahoma, Harvey Pratt sculpted toys from clay. His artistic abilities served him well, but he probably couldn’t have forecast how many people his talents would serve in coming decades.

In 1965, Pratt returned to Oklahoma after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. His military time included seven months in Vietnam.

Military service, he explains, was an honor and an expectation within the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of which he is a member.

“Indians weren’t given citizenship until 1924, but they fought in World War I anyway,” he says. “They volunteered. Even old men wanted to go to war.”

National Native American Veterans Memorial

His experiences informed the creation of a design that will soon be a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Pratt and his wife, Gina, are overseeing construction of “Warriors’ Circle of Honor,” the sculpture they designed as the National Native American Veterans Memorial. The memorial will feature a large stainless-steel circle, representing the Native American sacred circle symbol, balanced on a carved stone drum with an eternal flame at its center.

“He’s very humble and it didn’t hit him how big of a deal this was,” says longtime friend, fellow Marine, Vietnam veteran and retired FBI agent Jim Horn. “I told him, ‘Your name is going to be on the Mall 1,000 years from now if this country is still standing. You’re going to be the Gutzon Borglum of the Mall,’” comparing Pratt to the designer of Mount Rushmore.

The monumental piece, which will stand among other war memorials on the National Mall, is scheduled for completion by Veterans Day 2020. A groundbreaking ceremony was held September 2019.

His work is also on display in galleries locally. A selection of Pratt’s artwork will be featured in Oklahoma City as part of “Standing Their Ground: Warrior Artists.” The exhibit will run through Oct. 31 at Exhibit C Native Gallery.

Investigative Art

After his military service, Pratt returned to Oklahoma in 1965. He continued to pursue art in his free time and signed on with the Midwest City Police Department.

In that job, he applied his talents to creating sketches from witness descriptions of suspects in crimes. From 1972 to 2017, Pratt worked with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, where he added skull reconstruction, age progression and other skills to his resume.

“He has a God-given talent,” Horn says of his friend. “We look at it the same way. We are each given special gifts and how we use them is up to us. He has this special talent and he’s made the most of it.”

He assisted in investigations of high-profile cases, such as gangster Whitey Bulger and the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing.

“I worked on homicides, missing people cases, and murder victims, but the thing that really kept me going was helping to identify people,” Pratt says. “And finding the person who did those things, that was extremely important to me.”

Abraham Farrar Photography

It looked like Danielle James might not see her 26^th birthday.

In 2013, the registered nurse was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and given six months to live despite having never smoked. Her particular diagnosis had about a 7 percent survival rate.

“In the scan, all of the cancer in my chest lit up like a Christmas tree,” James says.

Despite the grim prognosis, James started fighting. She began chemotherapy. When that didn’t work, doctors prescribed a targeted medication for her specific cancer cells. The medicine was successful, and by July 2013 James’ tumors were barely visible.

In January 2015, she married.

But cancer wasn’t finished with James. Eight months after her wedding her lung cancer had spread, and she had five tumors in her brain. The targeted medication had stopped working.

“I went to Denver and got on a clinical trial for a drug that was supposed to work better,” she says.

Three years later, James is alive thanks to that drug. Now, the survivor is using her experience to help others do the same.

Fighting for a voice

James works with the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative, which creates a network for survivors and advocates for more research.

In April, James met with legislators in Washington, D.C., about increasing spending on cancer research.

“I want to share my story because I know I can help or inspire someone,” she says. “People need to know that there is life after diagnosis.”

Paying it forward

Terri Bailey, the executive director of the American Lung Association, Oklahoma, is so appreciative of the support James has given to the organization. “She is instrumental in spreading our message in Oklahoma, and her impact can be felt by so many.” Bailey tells the story of a woman who recently moved to Oklahoma and was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. “It took her three months before she even came to our support groups,” Bailey says. “She began to open up, but she always talked about, ‘why would I want to buy a new car or buy a new house or anything?’ But through the help of the support group, specifically Danielle, she learned living with stage four lung cancer can be done.”

Bailey says that woman has since bought a house and is decorating it with her husband. And she gives the credit to James who lives an inspirational life and shares her powerful story with others.

A new chapter

James recently started a new adventure: motherhood. With her nursing experience, she and her husband fostered infants born with drug addictions. They have since adopted one of those infants, naming her JoyAnna.

She says they plan to foster again, but teens. “There is a huge need for families that are willing to foster older kids,” she says. “Many of them age out of the system, which puts them at a huge risk for homelessness.”

Until then, their focus is on their daughter. “JoyAnna is my little best friend,” James says. “She is the reason that I get out of bed every morning. She brings so much joy to my life and she is my hope for the future.”

Abraham Farrar Photography

Students at Mountain Ridge High School are learning some real-life skills to prepare them for life outside the classroom. Things like technology, public speaking, business and finance are all part of Renee Woodruff’s curriculum.

“If you give kids the right opportunity, they’ll learn skills for the real world: problem solving, how to work as a team, and giving back to the community,” Woodruff says.

The 25-year veteran educator teaches marketing and information technology at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Arizona. She’s also the adviser for the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and DECA programs, two national co-curricular organizations that help prepare students for future success.

That “opportunity” Woodruff mentions? Participating in FBLA and DECA. Under her inspirational leadership, not only have her students earned top awards at the state and national levels, but more important to Woodruff, they’ve grown as individuals.

“I had a shy, quiet freshman one year,” explains Woodruff. “By the time she was a senior, she had become an FBLA State Officer, speaking in front of thousands of students.”

That student was Shivani Vaidya, a freshman finance major at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York.

“When I was a freshman, I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and I froze up when I had to talk to people in public,” Vaidya says. “Mrs. Woodruff was my mentor in this process and guided me through the first steps of public speaking, what I can do to make myself more confident in my speaking abilities, and how to make good first impressions.”

Vaidya says in her first year for FBLA, when she was 13, she won first place in the job interview event competing against 18-year-olds. She went on to win more than 10 awards including a number at the state level.

“She gave me the tools necessary to get me ready for state office, where I went on to be the very first state officer for FBLA from my school, which opened the gateway into so many opportunities, including speaking to over 5,500 members,” Vaidya says.

Woodruff describes the students in the FBLA and DECA programs as a broad cross-section of the student body. It’s a mix of personalities, interests and abilities, and that’s just how Woodruff likes it. She finds joy in helping each student achieve their very best.

“Everyone has their own ability level, and if I can get them to that next step, it’s all worth it,” she says.

“I certainly haven’t taught them all of the things they know,” she says. “What I really do is give them the space and the tools to help them fulfill what they need to do.”

At Whataburger, we’re proud to invest in students and teachers to honor their hard work and hometown spirit. It’s our way of giving back to the communities we serve.

We’ve had a long-time partnership with Lewisville High School in north Texas, providing fresh food to teachers and students at a variety of events. We think of it as feeding the future.

We brought even more Orange Spirit to Lewisville High School this year with a fresh, new College Resource Room on campus. The hard work of college prep is looking a little brighter for the Fighting Farmers!

To get the party started, we welcomed students with plenty of Orange swag and a promise of Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits. What a way to kick off a school day!

The Fighting Farmers were revved about the re-energized resource room. College materials are front and center in new displays, and the new corner sitting area has just the right amount of chill.

 A loud shout-out to teachers in the Whataburger love language: Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, taquitos, and cinnamon rolls. At Whataburger, we seriously love teachers, and we’re proud to participate in the Year of the Teacher, an initiative of the H-E-B Foundation.

We like to think of the resource room as a one-stop inspiration station that’s fun and functional for Lewisville High’s students and counselors. We even brought snacks to fuel Fighting Farmers studying for the ACT and SAT.

Students were Snapping, showing some Orange love on their streaks.

Stay tuned for more success stories from the Lewisville Fighting Farmers, and see who’s chosen as the Whataburger Spirit Award winners. One junior and one senior will be selected from nominations students submitted. The awards are based on kindness, teamwork, service to others, and perseverance.

It’s one more way we show Whataburger Pride, Care, and Love for the communities we serve.

Marcus Fetch is leaving his mark — figuratively and literally — on his adopted hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.

The Nebraska native rolled into Birmingham in 2012 while traveling the country and decided to stay awhile. Then 23 years old, he worked construction jobs and got to know folks.

“The people here are just really friendly,” he says.

But he noticed that the city’s only bike shops were in the suburbs — and saw a need.

Redemptive Cycles

“For people who are struggling and are trying to get back on their feet with steady work, having a bike for transportation can be huge,” he says.

With that in mind, Fetch founded Redemptive Cycles, Birmingham’s nonprofit bicycle shop. It serves any interested cyclists and helps fund an organization called Earn-A-Bike through sales of used bikes and accessories.

Through Earn-a-Bike, people can trade volunteer work hours for bicycles.

“I bought a bundle of 40 used bikes and started figuring it out. At first it was just a really small thing that we did on weekends from a warehouse,” he says.

The project has evolved to include discounted bicycle repairs for qualified people. In 2018, the value of those repairs totaled a whopping $30,000.

“He sees a need and he goes after it with his whole heart and makes it happen somehow,” says Ryan Taylor, an early Redemptive Cycles volunteer. “He has a vision of a future where his adopted city of Birmingham is more inclusive, sustainable and vibrant, and most importantly he has the determination to see his vision brought to life.”

City of Murals

Seven years later, Fetch is deep into his second community endeavor, Color Bham. The project brings bold color to outdoor spaces in the form of murals.

Fetch and his artistic team have brightened Birmingham with their colorful creations, including a 500-foot-long rainbow wall painted with the help of more than 100 volunteers. It was picked by the editors of Birmingham magazine as the Best Community Project of 2019.

“Murals can do so much for a city. They create vibrancy, and get people excited about where they live,” Fetch says. “People want to be part of creating a landmark that they can still look at years later.”

Together, Joe and Karen Eulate of Mesa, Arizona, have dedicated almost 60 years to the public schools in their hometown.

And that's just one way they're making a difference.

“We love anything that helps kids have a great experience, anywhere they are in their lives, at any stage,” Karen says.

That love of supporting children has shaped both of their careers. Karen – now in her 31^st year in education – currently serves as the site leader for the district’s special education campus, while Joe, who is in year 27, teaches English and coaches football and wrestling at Red Mountain High School.

“They are the hardest-working people I know,” says Cindy Hunt, who first met the Eulates in 1986 when she started working for the city of Mesa. “They’re just really good people who believe that it takes a village. Nobody does it by themselves. They believe that if you give a little of yourself, it makes a huge difference.”

For the past 10 years, Karen has also served as booster president for the Red Mountain High School Football Association.

Even after long days working with students, both spend their evenings and weekends helping a variety of Mesa organizations, including Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, and Arizona Disabled Sports.

“The Saturday before Easter they have this huge pig roast,” Hunt says. “You’re invited and they ask that you bring three more people and that they bring three more people. They will never turn anybody away.”

The Eulates spearhead fund-raising initiatives, are always among the first to volunteer for a youth organization or to serve on an education committee, and they counsel students struggling through difficult times.

“If we could give one message,” Karen says, “it would be to make the most of the community you live in. You’ll meet your best friends. You’ll meet your village.”

Whataburger Whataplay Week 1  -  Knox City vs. Bryson

Whataburger Whataplay Week 2  -  Mountain Brook vs. Hewitt-Trussville

Whataburger Whataplay Week 3 - Cypress Ranch vs. Cypress Park

Whataburger Whataplay Week 4 - Mexia vs. Robinson

Whataburger Whataplay Week 5 - Allen vs. Prosper

Whataburger Whataplay Week 6 - Marbury vs. Briarwood Christian

Whataburger Whataplay Week 7 - Albertville vs. Muscle Shoals

Whataburger Whataplay Week 8 - Isidore Newman School vs. The Dunham School

By now, more than 25 million people can attest to Ethan Mueller’s Whataburger feat: In about 20 minutes, the 16-year-old from Allen, Texas, pounded a 10-patty burger, surrounded by a sea of cheering friends and Whataburger employees. Since the act was, of course, posted to TikTok — and reposted a gazillion times — practically the whole world knows about Mueller’s new record. We caught up with him to learn the backstory, plus a few things you may not know about the kid who’s now affectionately known as “burger boy.”

Q: What on Earth possessed you to eat a 10-patty burger?

A: Every Wednesday, a group of us from church meet up at Whataburger for dinner. A few weeks earlier, our youth pastor, Logan Howard, told us that when he was in high school, he ate seven patties in one night. My buddy sent me a text that said, “If you can beat him, you’ll get a lot of church cred.”

Q: But why TEN? Why not just beat him with eight patties?

A: I like to one-up people in a very major way. If I’m going to beat them, I don’t want to do the bare minimum, I want to go up and away with it.

Q: Have you ever done anything like this before?

A: I do eat a lot, but I think the closest I’ve ever gotten was a couple of big steaks.

Q: While you were eating the 10 patties, did you ever consider giving up?

A: I did feel like I should maybe rest a little bit. I didn’t, though, because I knew I needed to do it in under 20 minutes.

Q: How did you feel afterward?

A: Pretty good. But I didn’t eat anything for the rest of the day — well, until I went to bed and woke up and ate some breakfast.

Q: The number of social media views is unbelievable! Have you been surprised by all the press?

A: Yeah, I was. I only told a couple of my friends about my plans ahead of time. I’m in the Criminal Justice program at Collin College, and when I walked into class the next day, a few people held up big Whataburger signs. And now the head pastor at our church recognizes me and calls me “Burger Boy” whenever he sees me.

Q: Would you do it again?

A: For money, yes! But I think 12 is the most I would ever eat.

Being in a hospital room can be lonely — a reality 15-year-old Jacob Davis has experienced all too often. “Most of my life, I’ve spent time in hospitals,” says Davis, who has already undergone 27 operations to treat a rare medical condition. “There’s not much you can do in a small room.”

But when a therapy dog scampers in, the room lights up. “They give me happiness. It’s nice to have a small dog that comes in and cheers your day,” Davis says.

A big plan

Knowing the positive impact therapy dogs can have on people when they’re struggling, Davis organized a pet charity supply drive for his Scout Eagle project. He started by contacting six area rescues in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, and asking for their wish lists — from cleaning supplies and dog treats to cat food and pet toys.

While thrilled at the prospect, several were skeptical. “Some of them were like, ‘We have a list a mile long. There’s no way you can get everything. People don’t even know who we are,’” Davis remembers.

But Davis was passionate -- and determined. “Jacob knew he didn’t have to do such a complex Eagle Scout project, but he said, ‘Go big or go home,’ and he wanted to help these animals,” says Chris Hollister, a family friend of the Davises.

Success!

In just two-and-a-half weeks, the results of Davis’s social media postings, flyers, grant requests, door-to-door visits, and queries to family and friends tallied up to $6,000. “I had donations from people I’ve never heard of in other countries,” Davis says. “Friends talked to friends who talked to friends who talked to friends. And a lot of people know about therapy dogs or have had therapy dogs.”

Davis was able to donate every single item on the wish lists of six different organizations that help animals in the Jacksonville area. “When I delivered to them, they were shocked that I got everything on their list,” Davis says. “With everything I do, I try to put 100%,” Davis says.

And while he has earned his Eagle Scout distinction, Davis continues to support local shelters. (Check out charities and needs here.) For Davis, who credits therapy dogs with helping him heal, it's a way to pay it forward. "Dogs have made such a huge difference in his healing that it inspired him," says his mom, Lauren. 

Game day is big for high school football coach Rashaun Woods and his players. So are all the days leading up to it.

“You have to teach kids that if they love to play the game, they have to work at it,” says Rashaun, a two-time Oklahoma State All-American who played in the NFL before returning to his native Oklahoma to coach.

The bottom line: “You can’t just show up on game day.”

That’s what the Enid High School Plainsmen are learning under Rashaun, their new head coach. He’s implementing the same strategy with the Enid team that turned around the John Marshall High School Bears in Oklahoma City.

His strategy teaches students discipline and gives them direction, making them winners on and off the field.

Under Rashaun, the Bears went from an 0-10 record in 2013 to state champions in 2018. He implemented mandatory workouts, practices, and study halls. He even gave students rides to make sure they put in the time.

“Leadership transfers, regardless of whether you’re on the football field or in the classroom,” Rashaun’s younger brother Donovan Woods says. “Everything he does, he puts his all into it.”

Donovan says her always recognized his brother’s prowess on the gridiron, but he gained greater appreciation when he saw him work with high school students and youth through his church.

“His journey is unique getting to play in the NFL and then getting to go back and show it’s a possibility for you if you do the right things,” Donovan says. “But after that, if you haven’t sharpened other tools, you need to do that to continue to make a life for you and your family.”

Now, Rashaun’s working to make winners out of the Plainsmen, a team that ended its 2018 season with a 1-9 record. "It's about focus and determination," he says.

Abraham Farrar Photography

When the Friday night lights flood the field at the high school in Gardendale, Alabama, one of the team’s most valuable players doesn’t take the gridiron.

Instead, this unsung hero cheers from the stands, happily.

De Allen, a volunteer with Gardendale High School’s athletics department for 13 years, makes sure the lights are on and everything from the field house to the concession stand is maintained.

Fields need mowing? Allen’s on it. Locker room repairs? He’s the guy. Filming games and keeping stats? Yep, Allen does that, too.

“I’ll do anything to help. I’ll take out the garbage if that helps,” says Allen, who spends 20 to 25 hours a week at his alma mater.

Why does he do it? To support his hometown team and help the community.

“It’s about pride and passion for the community. We need that throughout our communities, not just in sports,” he says.

A proud volunteer

After selling his mortgage business, Allen got to work in the community. He began volunteering first with Gardendale Middle School, then Gardendale High.

“I try to encourage the kids and hopefully mentor some of them,” he says. “I’m 59. Being around young people keeps you younger.”

Head football coach and athletic director Chad Eads says he heard about Allen his first day on the job two years ago. “He was a huge help to me being the new coach and coming to a new town,” Eads says. “He does all the jobs that need to be done that people don’t want to do. And he does it out of the goodness of his heart.”

Eads says so many of the things Allen does go unreported because that’s how he wants it. From building cabinets for the coaches, paying to send kids to summer camp, to serving as a chaplain for the Alabama State Troopers. “Yesterday word got to him that there was a family that was homeless, so he gets up out of a meeting and heads out,” Eads says. “De said, ‘Let’s see if I can’t find them a place to stay,’ and he probably went into his own pocket to do it. That’s what he does.”

Last year, Eads created a community service award bearing Allen’s name. It will go to a football player whose work ethic and commitment to the community mirror Allen’s.

But even with his name at the forefront, Allen prefers to avoid the spotlight.

“It’s not really about recognizing me. It’s about the school recognizing students,” he says. “Hopefully watching me volunteer will encourage them to do the same when they have those opportunities.”

Think rodeo’s not your cup of cowboy coffee? Think again. There’s more to it than bucking broncos, barrel racing and steer roping. Ready to hit the scene?

Rodeo is a year-round sport for us. From the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo to the Tucson Rodeo ... Whataburger is proud to help support these hometown celebrations, particularly the efforts of the Texas HIgh School Rodeo Association and Texas Junior High Rodeo Association running September to June every year.

Dress to impress

Dress the part – and throw in some Whataburger, to boot – with our oh-so-Texan Boot Tee.

Or, make your Lone Star statement in our Texas Treasure Tee. For more options for the whole family, head on over to the #Whatastore. Because that's the only place to find these custom Justin Boots featuring the Whataburger logo. 

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Sounds of music

After the horses and steers have been put to bed, rodeo arenas are ready to jam. Concert lineups feature big names in country music, hip-hop, norteño, rock ’n’ roll and even standup comedy.

Where there’s a Whataburger outlet on the grounds, grab some Whatachick’n Strips – with extra gravy, of course – and enjoy the show.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

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Hoof it over to the barns

At the show barns, you can get a gander at the cows, pigs and other livestock raised by hard-working students. The animals eventually will be auctioned off, and not for chicken feed.

A grand-champion steer often brings more than $100,000, with the proceeds going toward the student’s college fund.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

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Family fun

Petting zoos, pony rides and carnivals deliver thrills for all ages.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

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That’s entertainment

Looking for a little friendly competition? Cheer on your favorite porker in a pig race or watch arrows fly in an archery competition. You also might get to take in a stunt show or an extreme dog exhibition as you mosey around.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

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For adults only

Local craft beers and Texas-made wines are available to please the most discriminating palates. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo wine garden, for example, offers more than 70 wines.

The tap room at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo pours about 20 different Texas brews.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

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The mealtime entertainment? Ninety-year-old Aulden Sumrall, who comes in to play seasonal songs on his harmonica.

It’s a tradition he began 10 years ago – and it’s a favorite of local guests.

Harmonica Harmony

Sumrall’s concerts at Whataburger started with Christmas carols. His daughter-in-law, Denise, and son, Kenny, once owned the store as a franchise then, and he asked them about offering a serenade.

“Of course, we said yes,” Denise recalls. “It grew into a tradition.”

Now, Family Members and guests are excited to see Sumrall walk in with his harmonica and a photo of him from his days in the U.S. Air Force, says Robbie Fitzgerald, the store’s Area Manager.

After ordering, guests go straight to the table where Sumrall’s playing, singing along and applauding between numbers.

82 years, hundreds of songs

Sumrall got his first harmonica when he was 8 years old, and he’s been playing ever since. That’s 82 years of harmonica playing!

“Back in 1937, harmonicas were very inexpensive,” he says. His stepmother taught him to play, and he honed his skills when he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1947. Through the decades, he’s learned to read a few notes, but he still plays by ear.

“I can play hundreds of songs,” he says.

He compiles a playlist of about 10 tunes connected to each holiday. On July 4th, for example, guests sing along to “Grand Ol’ Flag” and other patriotic favorites. St. Paddy’s calls for “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."

He’ll break from the set list to play children’s tunes when kids come in. “They love it,” Fitzgerald says.

When Sumrall’s not playing his harmonica at Whataburger, he might be there with Minnie, his wife of 62 years, enjoying a Patty Melt or a Whatacatch sandwich.

“I like meeting people – and I like Whataburger,” he says. 

You know what else we look forward to? Presents. For your mom. For your besties. For your boss. But most importantly, for yourself.

Ready to start making that list and checking it twice? Make sure these hot new items make the cut. You know, for gifts. For, um, other people. Or maybe just for you. Santa will keep your secret!

Christmas Sweater

It’s back, baby! And better than ever. The fan-favorite orange-and-white holiday sweater of your dreams has been updated for a new year. Don’t call it ugly – it’s the prettiest thing in our closets. And it’s perfect for everyone on your list.

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Winter Beanie / Winter Scarf

Okay, so you got a sweater. Now what? Complete your holiday outfit with a Whataburger beanie and scarf. What’s cooler than being cool? Staying warm with these stylish accessories. And winning the office present swap.

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Holiday Inflatable

There’s not much we need to say about this one. Be the envy of all your neighbors with this LITERALLY LARGER THAN LIFE holiday inflatable featuring two of our favorite things: Whataburger and Santa. Pro tip: You might want to lock this one down in your yard; we wouldn’t be surprised if your nosey neighbors want it for themselves. Or, do the right thing: Give them their own. This item has been a top seller! If it's currently out of stock, please give us your email address -- and we'll let you know when it's back!

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Nutcracker

Looking for something classy to give grandma this year? Add to her holiday nutcracker collection with this limited-edition version of a classic Christmas item. Add this dapper gentleman to your holiday décor. Or your year-round décor … we won’t judge.

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Fancy Yeti / Spicy Yeti

Keep your drinks hot while showing everyone how cool you are. No need to say a word – these cups say everything for you. And they’re perfectly perfect for your in-laws. Or anyone, really.

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Hamburger, Bacon Socks

Some people are impossible to shop for. But you know what everyone loves? Socks. And Whataburger. Lucky for you, we created the perfect holiday gift that combines them both. Keep your toes toasty with our new Whataburger-themed socks and buy a pair for everyone on your list.

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Earlier this summer, Robyn Brake was jet-skiing on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall when she saw smoke.

It was coming from a nearby boat, which almost immediately burst into flames.

Seconds later, Brake, a mom of four, heard people calling for help.

As black smoke billowed into the air, she didn’t hesitate.

Navigating her Jet Ski over to the burning boat, Brake rescued four children – including a six-week-old baby – while her own daughter watched from a nearby boat.

“I told my daughter, ‘I’ll be right back. I’ll be right back, I promise,’” she told the local news station. “I prayed to God that I would make it back.”

Honoring Courage

Everyone on the boat – including the four children Brake ferried to safety – survived the fiery explosion.

Whataburger and local civic leaders honored Brake at a Hometown Hero breakfast at the Whataburger on Bass Pro Drive in Garland, Texas, Aug. 6.

The event, attended by her friends and family, was a chance for the community to say “thank you,” says Patti McKenzie from the Whataburger of Mesquite franchise.

“It took tremendous courage to ride so close to the flames, risking her life to save those children,” McKenzie says. “She’s amazing.”

Cell phone video of the incident shows the rear of the boat engulfed in flames while Brake rides in and out of frame ferrying children to safety on nearby boats.

“If I don’t help, no one else is,” Brake said in an interview. “I know I’m risking my life, but I can’t just watch these kids and mother scream at the top of their lungs.”

Hometown Hero

In addition to hosting breakfast in Brake’s honor, franchisee John Heiman made a $1,000 donation to the Rockwall Children’s Advocacy Center, her charity of choice.

Whataburger is proud to honor Hometown Heroes like Robyn, who didn’t hesitate to help those in need.

When Adam Brock heard there was a Whataburger opening at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, he knew he had to be the first customer in line.

After all, Brock loves Whataburger so much he actually got married in one.

So planning a flight from his hometown in Houston that would arrive in Dallas just in time to grab his go-to lunch at the DFW airport? That was a no-brainer. 

Brock, a frequent international traveler who regularly changes planes at the DFW Airport, made a point of flying to DFW July 2 just so he could be the first guest when the newest Whataburger opened in Terminal E at the DFW Airport. His order? A Whataburger #2 (add cheese, bacon, jalapenos, grilled onions, no lettuce, no tomatoes, sub mayo) and fries.

"This is like the one piece of Texas this airport has been missing for so long," he says. "I think it’s great now that thousands of people have the opportunity every day to experience what I believe is the world’s best hamburger.”

Flying more than 250 miles to be the first customer at a new Whataburger may be excessive to some, but Adam says it's all part of being a fan.

In April,he and his wife, Taylor, decided to seal the deal at their hometown Whataburger in Houston, after having a destination wedding in Cabo.

"There's just not a better place," Brock says. "It made sense for us to celebrate there."

Watch Brock share his Whataburger love story below. 

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When Family Members at the Whataburger in Burleson, Texas, learned Jo Wright — their “work mom” — needed help around her house, they rolled up their sleeves and got busy.

Hair pulled back and tools in hand, a half-dozen Whataburger Family Members got together on a hot summer afternoon to paint, patch — and even put on a new roof. They kept going back until the work was done.

“Jo is a wonderful person, and she doesn’t deserve to have to worry about her home,” says Assistant General Manager Amber McKinney.

Family helping family

McKinney and the rest of the team stepped up after a contractor didn’t complete promised work on Wright’s home – leaving her unsure how to get the work completed on the tight deadline her landlord had imposed.

That’s where her Whataburger family stepped in.

“I was pretty upset,” says Wright, who has worked at Whataburger’s front register and drive-thru for six years. “They asked what was wrong, and they jumped right in and said they would help.” Family Members helped paint, install siding and replace shingles. Some Family Members even chipped in to buy materials.

“It’s a real family,” says Jo of her Whataburger Family. “We work together and help one another.”

Crystal Hughes, General Manager at that restaurant, Unit 358, says her crew is all heart.

“They do special things because they care for each other,” she says. “We love each other.”

Wright is a surrogate mom to many of her Whataburger Family Members. She bakes and decorates cakes for their birthdays and makes them smile.

“Ms. Jo is one of those rare people that makes everyone’s day,” says Hughes “We don’t want her to worry.”

Like almost any kid, 12-year-old Phoenix Garner lists her top three activities as school, dancing and “chillin’.”

But the Yukon, Oklahoma, student has a passion for supporting the Special Olympics — and a goal to be an educator.

Inspired in part by her mother, Kim, who has been a special education teacher at Yukon High School for almost 20 years, Garner is determined to connect with others.

“I’m in middle school, so I see a bunch of kids who are not exactly kind,” she says.

But Garner, who has visited her mother’s classroom and attended Special Olympics events since she can remember, wanted to lift others up.

In third grade, she joined the Skyview Buddies, a program that pairs typical and special needs students in order to build life and sports skills. Now, the eighth grader is a member of Partners Club, which is dedicated to pairing students with Oklahoma Special Olympics athletes.

“Sixth grade was when I really started helping out at Special Olympics events, bringing snacks and activities to keep us all entertained,” Garner says.

Garner also helps the athletes stay on track, sometimes literally. “Depending on the kid, I’ll walk with them and make sure they’re where they’re supposed to be,” she says. “I might help get them a drink or help them do their sport.”

But she doesn’t just help at events. During any given school day, Garner might assist students with assignments, and spend time with them at lunch and during free periods planning for future activities.

And each day, she shows up with coloring books, sunscreen, and whatever else her partner for the day might need. “She just has a heart for this,” says Sharon Mitchell, special services facilitator for Yukon schools.

Abraham Farrar Photography

Nov. 4 – Cuddle up!

First up, it’s sweater time.

Right when you thought your Whataburger fashion game had peaked, we’re bringing out the 2019 Whataburger Christmas Sweater design! $42.99

Wondering what’s next? Come back Nov. 12 to get even more cozy!

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Nov. 12: Warm Head. Warm Hands. Warm Heart.

IT’S A TWO-FER TUESDAY!

Grab the newest additions to your holiday gear with a brand-new beanie and scarf set. Whether you split this set up as gifts, or keep it all for yourself, it’s a win-win for just $24.99.

We’ll make our next reveal Nov. 19 – and it’s sure to have you feeling sky-high!

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Nov. 19. Time to decorate!

With this one decoration, you’ll put the neighbors on notice that you love good food, love to celebrate the holidays, love Santa, AND you’re the biggest Whataburger fan on the block! This 7.5ft Santa in a Whataburger cup inflatable is sure to get the job done for just $85.99.

Join us Nov. 26 for the next reveal. It’ll be a crackin’ good time!

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Nov. 26 – Get crackin’

If you’re more into French fries and apple pies than walnuts and sugarplums – we’ve got the perfect Nutcracker for you! This 14-inch Whataburger Nutcracker is available for $39.99.

Our next item drops Nov. 29, so you don’t have long to wait!

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Nov. 29 – So fancy, so spicy.

Black Friday is here! No need to wait out in the cold for these beauties. Grab your Fancy and Spicy Yetis on whatastore.com for just $34.99.

The perfect stocking stuffer shall be yours … next week. See you Dec. 4 for our final holiday calendar reveal!

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Dec. 4 – Toasty Toes

What better way to wrap up our holiday retail bonanza than with some special socks to keep your toes toasty all season long. Grab these perfect stocking stuffers for $12.99 – just in time for the office party gift exchange.

Still on the hunt for that perfect gift? Check whatastore.com for other fun choices for everyone on your list!

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Get a load of the giant Whataburger mum that was on display at the Arlington Museum of Art this year. At 18 feet tall, and with more than 1,200 flowers, it looks mighty big even to a Texan!

Or, make your own (slightly smaller) version for your Homecoming celebration! Our DIY Whataburger Mum tutorial will help you whip up your own masterpiece, or get inspiration from some of these bodacious Whatamums that fans are sharing.

She’s got spirit! And bling and boas. And the mum comes with fries and a drink!

W is for wow! (and Whataburger) on this light-up beauty.

Let’s hear it for the Class of 2020! And Whatasized mums!

This fan gets it right and bright with orange and white!

Spicy ketchup and day dots set off the orange-and-white polka dots like a champ.

Bears, boas and cowboy hats. Saddle up for a win!

That’s what we call some high-class Homecoming bling. Cheers to HoCo 2019!

Not a mum kind of Whataburger fan? You can still work us into your celebration by asking your would-be date to the dance with some orange-and-white style (and maybe a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit) – just like Jacob Munoz. Read more about Jacob’s story – and watch the two-time cancer survivor make his return to the gridiron, in this video.

Natalie Sideserf, owner and creative mind behind SideSerf Cake Studio in Austin, Texas, makes confectionary creations that don’t look like cakes. They look like people. Or animals. Or, in our case, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits.

Check out her sweet Whataburger fan story, and watch this Texas treasure come to life with sugar, flour and a whole lot of creativity.