Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund

In memory
of Bailey.

Keeping her memory alive through scholarships, a yearly cook-off, and the people who loved her.

Read her story Support the fund
Founded by
Len, Russ & Hallie
Annual event
Chili cook-off
Giving
Venmo, community-led
Bailey Schmitt, arms raised in celebration, wearing a Texas A&M jersey on an evening outing
Bailey, 12th Man.
Her story

Remembering Bailey.

The Bailey “Bear” Schmitt Memorial Fund was created to honor Bailey’s memory and carry forward the loving, caring spirit she shared with everyone around her. Bailey was truly the firecracker of our family — full of energy, laughter, and a personality that could light up any room she entered. With her bright smile, infectious laugh, and kind heart, she had a special way of making everyone feel welcome and valued. Bailey never met a stranger and was always eager to help others — both people and animals alike. Her compassion, enthusiasm, and genuine love for others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Bailey was truly the firecracker of our family.

Established in 2026, the fund reflects the values Bailey lived every day: kindness, generosity, community involvement, and a passion for helping others pursue their dreams. Sports, band, animals, her Texas A&M Aggies, and her family were all important parts of Bailey’s life, and she embraced every opportunity to be involved and encourage those around her. Through this scholarship, Bailey’s family hopes to support students who demonstrate dedication to academics, leadership, service, and involvement within their schools and communities — qualities that Bailey embodied so naturally throughout her life.

More than anything, this scholarship is a way to continue Bailey’s legacy by investing in young people who share her compassionate spirit, strong character, and love for life. It is our hope that each recipient will carry a piece of Bailey’s light forward as they pursue their goals and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

  • Bailey Schmitt in her #9 softball uniform, giving a thumbs up to the camera
    Number 9. Thumbs up.
  • Bailey Schmitt sitting on a porch with the family cat
    Front porch, summer.
  • Bailey Schmitt and family on a hike with a mountain backdrop
    Out west, family hike.
  • Bailey Schmitt laughing with her sibling around a cardboard fort
    Cardboard forts and big sister laughs.
  • Bailey Schmitt lounging on a stone bench beside a reclining statue
    Goofing around in the courtyard.
  • Bailey Schmitt with a family member, both wearing Texas A&M shirts
    Aggie days.
Bailey Schmitt standing outside at night with her arms wide, surrounded by Christmas lights and yard decorations
Decorating the yard — December.
The fund

What your gift supports.

Donations to the Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund go directly toward celebrating Bailey’s legacy in our community.

Bailey Schmitt smiling and holding an awards certificate from her elementary school
01 — Scholars

Scholarships for local students.

The fund awards scholarships to graduating seniors and young people in our area, helping them take the next step Bailey would have cheered on.

Awarded annually · proceeds from the cook-off and direct gifts.

Bailey Schmitt's Memorial Scholarship Fund shirts
02 — Cook-off

Annual chili cook-off.

Each year, a fun and competitive chili cook-off brings neighbors together to raise money for the fund. It's part fundraiser, part reunion — a tradition built in Bailey's name.

Hosted by Len & family · teams, judges, and full plates.

Bailey Schmitt laughing with her sibling, framed by a doorway
03 — Community

Community, held together.

Beyond dollars, the fund is a way for friends and family to stay connected — to show up for one another the way Bailey did.

Cook-off

20272nd annual

2nd annual chili cook-off.

Saturday, February 6, 2027 — Harvest Park, Needville. Four categories, silent auction, 50/50 and gun raffles. Every dollar goes to the Bailey Schmitt Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Date
February 6, 2027
Time
8 AM – 6 PM
Location
Harvest Park, Needville, TX
Entry
$100 per category
Categories
Chili · Beans · Margaritas · Fajitas
Contact
Len Schmitt — (281) 389-3605
Call Len to enter View full flyer
2nd Annual Remembering Bailey chili cook-off flyer — February 6, 2027, 8 AM to 6 PM at Harvest Park, Needville, Texas. Entry $100 per category. Contact Len Schmitt at (281) 389-3605.
2nd annual — February 6, 2027.
Scholars

Scholarship recipients.

The fund’s first awards went out this spring — twenty-two students chosen from seventy-three applications across the area.

Applications
73
Scholarships awarded
22
Class of
2026
Close-up portrait of Bailey Schmitt smiling, with freckles across her cheeks
The spirit your gift supports.

A first class, carrying Bailey forward.

Names below. Ceremony photos — with Len handing out awards across El Campo, Bay City, Tidehaven, Needville and beyond — follow.

  1. Ava Aguilar
  2. Baylee Black
  3. Kasey Cerny
  4. Emma Cobb
  5. Chesney English
  6. Melviney Guardado
  7. Emma Jerrigan
  8. Jordan Juarez
  9. Pamela Lule
  10. Paola Lule
  11. Parks Macek
  12. Austin Moran
  13. Kolby Moss
  14. Fernando Ochoa
  15. Aracely Padron
  16. Abigail Poehls
  17. Emorie Proctor
  18. Kale Russell
  19. Jahanna Starrett
  20. Kyle Stout
  21. Logan Woodruff
  22. Carla Zamora
Ceremonies

Award nights, across the area.

  • Three of the four Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipients holding certificates with Len and family at the El Campo Independent School District awards ceremony
    El Campo ISD — 4 recipients.
  • Two of the five Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipients holding certificates with Len and family at the Needville High School awards ceremony
    Needville High — 5 recipients.
  • Two of the three Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipients holding certificates with Len and family in front of the Tidehaven Tigers backdrop
    Tidehaven Tigers — 3 recipients.
  • A Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipient holding a certificate with Len and family in front of the Bay City Blackcats backdrop
    Bay City Blackcats — 1 recipient.
  • A Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipient holding his certificate in front of the Bulldogs gym backdrop
    Bulldogs ceremony — 1 recipient.
  • A Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipient wearing a Texas Tech shirt and holding her certificate at an indoor ceremony with family and balloons
    A Texas Tech-bound recipient, honored at home.
  • Emorie Proctor, 2026 Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipient, holding her certificate at home with family
    Emorie Proctor, at home with family.
  • A Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipient holding two scholarship certificates in a school gymnasium
    Recipient with a pair of awards.
  • Four Bailey Schmitt Memorial Fund scholarship recipients holding certificates with Len and family at the Palacios High School awards ceremony
    Palacios High — 4 recipients.
Help fund the next class