2018 Texas Citrus Fiesta Souvenir Edition by Progress Times

81st

OFFICIAL PUBLIC ATION OF TE XAS CITRUS FIESTA 2018 SOUVENIR EDITION

Mission, Texas

Texas Citrus Fiesta

JANUARY 13-27, 2018

Sarah Elizabeth Forthuber Queen Citrianna LXXXI

Photo Courtesy: Rio Portrait & Design Studio

Hawaiian Pirate Adventures

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

2018

Brittany Landavazo

Royal Court

Princess of Grapefruit Blossom

Olivia Vela

Princess of Orange Blossom

Kennedy Castillo Lady-in-Waiting

Jalynn Mascorro Princess Anna 68th

Sarah Elizabeth Forthuber Queen Citrianna LXXXI

Adelyne Perez

Princess of Red Grapefruit Blossom

Savannah Nichols

Princess of Tangerine Blossom

Camilla Longoria

Princess of Lemon Blossom

Emma Lozano

Princess of Lime Blossom

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

MARCH 6, 2018

YOUR VOTE IS APPRECIATED Political Advertisement Paid for by Fidencio Guerra, Jr. F.M. Guerra Jr. Treasurer, 804 Pecan, McAllen, TX 78501

Texas Citrus Fiesta Royal Coronation is Jan. 25

By Kathy Olivarez Get ready for the elegance of the Texas Citrus Fiesta Royal Coronation where young ladies from across the Rio Grande Valley will compete for the title of Queen Citrianna LXXXII. The Royal Coronation will be held Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Neuhaus Gym on the campus of Mission High School. Tickets are $5 for general seating and $10 for reserved seating. The young ladies competing for queen, who are referred to as duchesses, are dressed in beautiful gowns representing a variety of citrus and other agricultural products grown across the Rio Grande Valley. Each duchess is escorted by a sixyear-old boy who serves as her page. The pages carry signs announcing what product each duchess represents. There is also a group of six-year-old girls who have been selected as princesses serving as part of the Royal Court and each represents a citrus fruit. They were selected during a Princess Anna contest held each year in November.

MISSION AUTO ELECTRIC, INC. DBA

1954-2018 In Our 64th Year of Service

As the pageant begins the members of the Texas Citrus Fiesta Kings’ Association will step forward to be introduced. Each man in the association is involved in the citrus industry and has served as King Citrus for one year. The Kings will escort the duchesses and princesses up on the ramp as they model their gowns and pay their respects to the Texas Citrus Fiesta Court. Once the Kings have been introduced, the name of the new King will be announced. He is selected by the Kings Association and is kept a closely guarded secret until that moment. King Citrus LXXX, Dale Murden, will relinquish his crown to King LXXXI. Queen Citrianna LXXXI Queen Citrianna LXXXI, Sarah Elizabeth Forthuber, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Forthuber of McAllen. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Metz of Mission, Mr. Metz was King Citrus LXXVI.

See CORONATION pg. 5

A Family-Owned Business Since 1954 In 1954, Mission businessman Ben Cavazos opened Mission Auto Electric, Inc. Now, M.A.E. Power Equipment, we have a reputation for selling top quality products and having excellent service. M.A.E. Power Equipment is an Onan, and Generac generator service center.

Certified Onan R/V Generator Service Mon-Fri • 8am-5:30pm – Sat • 8am-1pm

915 West Business 83 • Mission (956) 581-7433

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

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CORONATION from pg. 4 She is a senior at International Baccalaureate at Lamar Academy where she ranks as salutatorian of her senior class. She is vice-president of her class and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a Senior Company Member at Melba’s School of Dance, where she has studied for 15 years and learned jazz, point ballet, musical theater, tap, and other genres offered by the school. She loves art and plans to get a college degree in civil engineering. Once the new king is announced, Queen Citrianna LXXXI Sarah Elizabeth Forthuber, will be escorted on stage by her Royal Crown Bearer, Gabriel Gerardo Saenz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Silverio Saenz of Mission. He is a student at Mims Elementary in Mission. Also escorting the queen will be her Royal Trainbearers, including Jake Timmons East, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Neuhaus and Mr. And Mrs. John East of McAllen. Jake is a student at Ben Milam Elementary in McAllen. Also serving as a trainbearer is Benjamin Butler Hartzog, son of Mr. and Mrs. Justin Hartzog of McAllen. He is a student at Ben Milam Elementary in McAllen. Jonas Xanro Martinez, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Martinez of Mission is the third train bearer. He is a student at Perez Elementary in La Joya. The fourth train bearer will be Gabriel Andres Silva-Whatley, son of Andy Silva and Gabriel Whatley. He is a student at Mims Elementary in Mission. Princess of Grapefruit Blossom Brittany Nicole Landavazo, daughter of Nora Landavazo of Mission, will serve as Princess of Grapefruit Blossom. She is a senior at Pioneer High School in Mission where she is class valedictorian. She is a National Hispanic Scholar and president of the National Honor Society. Brittany is captain of the Girls Varsity Soccer team and enjoys volunteering at C.A.M.P. University. Princess of Orange Blossom Olivia Renee Vela will serve as Princess of Orange Blossom. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Rene Vela. She is a senior at Edinburg North High School where she ranks first in the senior class. She was awarded the title of STAR Queen to represent Hidalgo County at the South Texas Agricultural Roundup. She also represented her school at the Texas Bluebonnet Girls State at Texas Lutheran University. Her hobbies include exhibiting beef projects as part of the Linn-San Manuel 4-H, where she serves as first vice-president, and the Edinburg North FFA, where she serves as a student advisor. Olivia also enjoys teaching reconciliation classes at St. Ann Church.

Lady-in-Waiting Serving as Lady-in-Waiting is Kennedy Lee Castillo, daughter of Ms. Annie Salazar of McAllen. She is a student at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley where she is on the Dean’s List. Kennedy is a member of The Rio Grande Valley Cotillion and is a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) staff nominee. Her hobbies are participating in the Rio Grande Valley Ballet Company and being a contributing writer for the UTRGV Campus Magazine. Princess Anna LXVIII Our 68th Princess Anna is 6-year-old Jalynn Danielle Mascorro, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Mascorro of Mission. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adan Mascorro of Burley, Idaho, and Mrs. Martha Betancourt and the late Jorge L. Betancourt of Mission. Jalynn has three older sisters, Nayleen, Melissa and Ava. Our Princess loves to spend time in the kitchen baking and cooking for her family. She also enjoys playing dress up and wearing make-up with her sisters. Even at a young age Jalynn is already involved in community service. She has participated in distribution at a Christmas toy drive and in charity fashion shows for cancer. Jalynn is a student at John H. Shary Elementary in Sharyland ISD where she is a Goldstar Reader. Her charm and social skills have resulted in her being named Class Sweetheart. Our princess enjoys many extracurricular activities including modeling, drill team dance, and tumbling. She likes to swim and play T-ball. Her musical interests are playing piano and drums. She enjoys arts, crafts and sewing. Jalynn is active in Girl Scouts and has already earned 19 patches. Jalynn attends Palm Valley Church. And her favorite restaurant is Chick-Fil-A! Jalynn hopes to be a doctor when she grows up! Princess of Lemon Blossom Camilla Lee Longoria, daughter of Oscar and Jennifer Longoria, will serve as Princess of Lemon Blossom. She is a kinder student at Agape Christian School, where she was elected class representative by her classmates. She was the winner of the Golden and Silver Eggs at the Governor’s Mansion and collected hundreds of toys this last Christmas for various non-profit organizations. Her hobbies are swimming and studying ballet, lyrical jazz and tap dance at Paloma Limas & Company. Princess of Lime Blossom Serving as Princess of Lime Blossom will be Emma Daniella Lozano, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rolando Lozano of Elsa.

See CORONATION pg. 8

06 04

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

81st

Texas Citrus Fiesta

Duchesses

Victoria Salinas

Gabriella Barrera

Duchess of Butterfly

Duchess of All American City

Selinda Cortez

Duchess of Bluebonnet

Katheryn Slusher

Duchess of Bougainvillea

Makenzie Gerlach

Carina Rodriguez

Duchess of Citrus Harvest

Duchess of Festivals

Britney Rosales

Duchess of Crepe Myrtle

Allison Torres

Duchess of Delta Waters

Jody Sifuentes

Duchess of Honeydew

Alyssa Navarro

Ashley VillaseĂąor

Duchess of Intnl. Goodwill

Karsen Szutz

Duchess of Lemon

Duchess of Mandarin Orange

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

81st

Texas Citrus Fiesta

Duchesses

Brianna Ramos

Victoria Escamilla

Duchess of Marsh White

Duchess of Pink Grapfruit

Jewel Ybarra

Duchess of Oleander

Hannah Kelly

Duchess of Palms

Davan Saldana

Laisha Lopez

Duchess of Poinsettia

Duchess of Royal Palms

Deseree Tovar

Duchess of Retama

Natalie Martin

Duchess of Rio Red

Kaitlyn Ramirez

Duchess of Ruby Red

Alexandria Canchola Brittany Sepulveda Duchess of Star Ruby

Arlynn Guerrero

Duchess of Whitewing

Duchess of Wildflowers

07 05

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

CORONATION from pg. 5

Well, Shiver me timbers we’re celebrating 81 years of Texas Citrus Fiesta Events! It brings me great joy to be associated with this event.

Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas

A W A II A

I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the individuals, business partners and community for their efforts in the production and marketing of the world’s best grapefruit and oranges. Thank you for creating so many fun filled memories for so many families in our community the last 81 years.

PIRATE ADVENTURES

Emma is an ‘A’ Honor Roll student at LBJ Elementary in Elsa. She has been named Student of the Month and has perfect attendance. She is a member of Estrellitas de Oro Folklorico and is a Pee Wee Santa Gertrudis showman. She enjoys reading, playing T-ball, and Folklorico dancing, and ballet. Princess of Tangerine Blossom Savannah Rose Nichols, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Nichols II will serve as Princess of Tangerine Blossom. She is a student at Milam Elementary in McAllen, where she is a member of the gifted and talented program. She loves writing and reading and has a passion for creating silly words. She is a ballerina and has studied five forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, Folklorico and Irish at the Edinburg Centre for Ballet. Savannah is a member of St. Paul’s Church where she served as an angel in the Christmas pageant. She enjoys spending time with her friends and having adventures with them. Princess of Red Grapefruit Blossom Princess of Red Grapefruit Blossom will be Adelyne Isabel Perez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hector Perez Jr. of McAllen. Adelyn is a first grader at Garza Elementary in McAllen, where she is a Student Council Representative and has perfect attendance. She enjoys choir and being an altar server at Our Lady of Sorrow Church. Her hobbies include cheer, ballet and jazz dance and also enjoys outdoor adventures with the Cub Scouts Family Scouting Programs. Duchess of Bluebonnet Selinda Rae Cortez, daughter of Mr. Noe Cortez and Ms. Norma Cortez of Mission will be Duchess of Bluebonnet. She is a junior at Veterans Memorial High School of Mission where she is historian for the Junior Class, student advisor for Students against Drugs and Alcohol (SADA) and a three-year letterman for the Lady Patriots Basketball Team. Her hobbies are playing basketball and volunteering at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Arri Solis, son of Aroldo Solis III and Amanda Blanco of Mission, will serve as her page. Duchess of Bougainvillea Duchess of Bougainvillea will be Katheryn Jane Slusher daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Heller and Mr. and Mrs. Channing Slusher. Katheryn is a junior at McAllen Memorial High School where she is vice-president of the Student Council, member of the National Honor Society and member of the McAllen’ Mayors Youth Association. Her hobbies include running varsity track and volunteering with the Salvation

See CORONATION pg. 11

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

President’s Message Welcome to the 81st Texas Citrus Fiesta celebrating this year’s bountiful harvest of the world’s best citrus. A combination of our moderate climate and the Rio Grande Valley’s fertile soil produces the sweetest and best tasting grapefruit and oranges compared to anywhere else in the world. The Texas Citrus Fiesta Board of Directors and volunteers contribute many long hours each year organizing and planning the many Fiesta events. Our successful Fiesta would not be possible without the support of Mission Mayor, Norberto Salinas, the Mission City Council, all our sponsors, and numerous volunteers. It is with sincere gratitude that we say a big thank you for making this historic event possible. This year, the Texas Citrus Fiesta and the City of Mission are honored to celebrate our 81st anniversary of producing this one of a kind series of events to pay homage to the influence Bill Filut the citrus industry has had on the City of Mission and the Rio Grande Valley. Come help us celPresident ebrate “Hawaiian Pirate Adventures” of the Texas Citrus Fiesta. Join us at the unique Product Costume Show that will pay tribute to costumes of the past eighty years. This is a one of a kind event that allows designers to express their creativity as costumes are designed and then covered entirely with native Valley products. Come witness a regal event as King Citrus, Queen Citrianna, and Princess Anna are crowned, and beautiful young ladies in their duchess regalia are presented to compete for the title of next year’s Royal Court. And last, but not least, our party in the street, The Parade of Oranges. Come and join the party celebration of the 81st Texas Citrus Fiesta where food, fun, crafts, music, carnival rides, and entertainment, along with all the traditional Fiesta events. Bill Filut President of the Texas Citrus Fiesta

2018 TEXAS CITRUS FIESTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Oscar Martinez

Rick Saldaña

1st Vice President

2nd Vice President

Keith Gerlach

Carlos Garcia 3rd Vice President

Janie Sanchez

Bibi Peña

Nancy Chapa

Director

Parliamentarian

Scott Gerlach

Sylvia Vick

Lisa Rivera Secretary

Brian Gerlach

Minnie Rodgers Asst. Secretary

Tommy Garcia

Nora Hinojosa - Treasurer (not pictured)

Join the 81st Annual Celebration as the Texas Citrus Fiesta Celebrates “Hawaiian Pirate Adventures”

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

CORONATION from pg. 8 Army. Samuel Kern Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kramer Miller of McAllen will serve as her page. Duchess of Butterfly Victoria Vanessa Salinas, daughter of Alberto of Marisol Perez of Mission will serve as Duchess of Butterfly. Victoria is a junior at Veterans Memorial High School in Mission where she is a National Dance Association All-American nominee, Patriot Stars First Lieutenant and National Dance Association Top Gun Hip Hop dancer. She is on the A & B honor roll and is part of the band where she won second chair in regional trombone competition. Her hobbies are reading and writing short stories. Edwardo Rivas Jr., son of Mrs. And Mrs. Edwardo Rivas of Mission, will serve as her page. Duchess of Citrus Harvest Makenzie Alysse Gerlach, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Gerlach of Mission, will serve as Duchess of Citrus Harvest. She is a junior at Veterans Memorial High School in Mission. Honors include being named 2017 Volleyball All District 31-5A Outstanding Hitter. Mackenzie is a member of the Hidalgo Cotillion Club. She served as Princess of Lime Blossom in the 2007 Texas Citrus Fiesta.

Her hobbies include multiple athletic activities such as volleyball where she was selected to compete with the Rio Grande Valley Travel League. Mackenzie loves traveling with her family, playing games and taking on new adventures. William Joseph Kocurek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Kocurek of Robstown will serve as her page. Duchess of Crepe Myrtle Serving as Duchess of Crepe Myrtle will be Britney Nickole Rosales, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Rosales and Ms. Yvonni Rosales of Mission. She is a sophomore at the Palmview High School Academy of Public Service where she is on the A & B Honor Roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. She was selected as the 2015 Miss Teen Palmview. Her hobbies are weight lifting and volunteering with the Palmview community. Randon Renzo Guerra, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rene Guerra will serve as her page. Duchess of Delta Waters Allison Marie Torres, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Torres of Edinburg, will serve as Duchess of Delta Waters. She is a junior at Robert Vela High School (RVHS) in Edinburg where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society. Her hobbies include playing soccer

with the RVHS Varsity Team and being Junior Class secretary. Noah Steven Lopez, son of Mr. and Mrs. Esteban Lopez of Edinburg, will serve as her page. Duchess of Festivals Carina Kristen Rodriguez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rigo Rodriguez, of Donna. She is the reigning Mission Hidalgo BorderFest Queen. Carina is a freshman at South Texas College and works as an ACE tutor in their afterschool program for kinder through fifth grade. She organized a Christmas food drive for the City of Hidalgo Posada and donated meats on Thanksgiving to the needy with Straight Across. While in high school her hobby was cheerleading and competitive events where she participated four years. She currently enjoys fishing at the arroyo or South Padre Island a couple of times a month. Andres Gutierrez, son of Mr. and Ms. Guadalupe Gutierrez of Weslaco. Duchess of Honeydew Jody Mae Sifuentes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Sifuentes of Mission, will serve as Duchess of Honeydew. She is a junior at Mission High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and has played Varsity Soccer for three years. She is also a member of the Hidalgo County Cotillion. She enjoys tutoring at Our Lady of

Guadalupe Church and participating in the retreats, the CCD program and Jamaica’s planned by the church. She also enjoys drawing and art. Ramiro Eleazar Diaz, son of Bianca Maria Diaz of Mission, will serve as her page. Duchess of International Goodwill Ashley Villaseñor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Villaseñor of Hidalgo, will serve as Duchess of Goodwill. She is a senior at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg. Ashley got a head start on college by graduating from high school with an Associate’s Degree and a minor. She is a UTRGV Scholars student and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society. She is a freelance make-up artist and enjoys crafting. Jorge Andres Lopez Gomez, son of Amalia Gomez Martinez, of Mission will serve as her page. Duchess of Lemon Karsen Arnold Szutz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chad Stutz and Ms. Roy Szutz of Weslaco, will serve as Duchess of Lemon. She is a senior at Weslaco High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and has been a Varsity cheerleader and a member of competition teams.

See CORONATION pg. 13

P R O U D LY S U P P O RT

Duchess Of White Wing

Arlynn Guerrero MAYOR PRO-TEM

COUNCILMAN

ALEX GUAJARDO JOSE ROEL FLORES

MAYOR

RIGO LOPEZ

COUNCILMAN

FELIPE QUINTANILLA RAMIRO LOYA

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Cordially Invites you to come and join the Celebration!

A I I W A A N

PIRATE ADVENTURES

Norberto Salinas Mayor

Norie Gonzalez Garza Mayor Pro-Tem

Jessica Ortega-Ochoa Councilwoman

Ruben Plata Councilman

Dr. Armando O’Cana Councilman

Martin Garza, Jr. City Manager

956.580.8650 • 1201 E. 8th Street, Mission, TX • www.missiontexas.us

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

CORONATION from pg. 11 Special honors include serving as Miss Weslaco where she organized “A Ball for a Cure” raising $2,870 for the American Cancer Society. She also organized and co-chaired a “Special Kids Rodeo” for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. Karsen was chosen Miss Congeniality and Director’s Choice in pageants. William Banks Solether, son of Mrs. and Mrs. Mark Solether of Weslaco, will serve as her page. Duchess of Mandarin Orange Alyssa Navarro, daughter of Ms. Myling Landez and Mr. Albert Navarro of Mission will serve as Duchess of Mandarin Orange. She is a sophomore at Sharyland Pioneer High School where she served as 2016-2017 mascot “Diva.” She is a two-year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Skills USA. Her hobbies are assisting toddlers and youth at a competitive cheer gym and volunteering and assisting special needs students at Special Olympic events. David Rafael Romero II, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Romero of Edinburg, will serve as her page. Duchess of Marsh White Seedless Grapefruit Brianna Renee Ramos, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Miguel A. Ramos Jr., of Palmhurst, will serve as Duchess of Marsh White Seedless Grapefruit. She is a senior

at Sharyland Pioneer High School in Mission where she was named a Pioneer Volleyball letterman, receiving All District Honors in 2016 and 2017. She was named to the 2017 Rio Grande Valley East-West Volleyball All-Star Team and is the reigning Miss Mission Teen. Brianna enjoys modeling, skeet shooting, playing volleyball and volunteering with special needs children. Gabriel Christopher Perez, son of Mr. and Mrs. Erica Perez, will serve as her page. Duchess of Oleander Jewel Estrella Ybarra, daughter Mr. Julian Ybarra of Edinburg and Ms. Brenda Ybarra of Palmhurst, will serve as Duchess of Oleander. Jewel is a senior at Sharyland High School where she is treasurer of the Thespian Society. She is also a Grand National Chess Champion and a member of the Hidalgo County Cotillion. She plans to attend LIM Fashion Business School in New York City where she will major in fashion marketing and product development with a minor in international business. Her hobbies are being a certified LA Vive Dance teacher at Nadia’s School of Dance and a four-year United Cheer Association All American Sharyland High School Varsity cheerleader.

Andrew Flores, son of Ms. Christy Flores of Mission, will serve as her page. Duchess of Palms Hannah Elizabeth Kelley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Kelly of McAllen, will serve as Duchess of Palms. She is a junior at International Baccalaureate at Lamar Academy where she is a threeyear member of varsity track, soccer and cross-country sports. She tied the school record for high jump and advanced to regional in soccer competition. Hannah, who is a member of National Honor Society, is ranked in the top one percent of her class. She founded the website, HighFiveForHealth.net, that enables children to learn and manage nutritional and mental health. Her hobbies are dancing with Melba’s Dance Company for 15 years and participating in ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap and musical theater. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church of McAllen where she volunteers with youth ministry. Jonathan Frank Enriquez, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Enrique of Edinburg will serve as her page. Duchess of Pink Grapefruit Victoria Diane Escamilla, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Escamilla of Mission, will serve as Duchess of Pink Grapefruit. Victoria is a freshman at South Texas College where she is a member of the Honor Roll and hopes to get into the nurs-

ing program. She graduated in the top 10 percent of her class at Veterans Memorial High School in 2017. Victoria’s hobby is dancing; she participated in VMHS drill for three years and served as major her senior year. She enjoys playing with her three pugs and doing make-up for family and friends for special events. Alejandro Guerrero III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro Guerrero II of Mission, will serve as her page. Duchess of Poinsettia Davan Angeliegh Saldana, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Saldana of Mercedes, will serve as Duchess of Poinsettia. She is a senior at Mercedes High School where she has been a three-year member of the National Honor Society. She was a Criminal Justice Brain Bowl State Champion in 2016 and 2017 and was the 2016 Hollister Model Contest Winner; where she was the sole contestant chosen from Texas. Her hobbies include being a threeyear Varsity Cheerleader, participating in Criminal Justice Court, karate, running and other physical fitness activities. Her page will be Nathaniel Ozuna, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ozuna of McAllen. Duchess of Retama Deseree Tovar, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rolando Solis of La Joya, will serve as Duchess of Retama. Deseree is a senior

See CORONATION pg. 14

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

CORONATION from pg. 13 at La Joya Early College High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, a Varsity cheerleader and is in the top 10 percent of her class. Her hobbies are cheerleading and being involved with project heal, an anatomy class. She plans to study nursing in college. Gael Quintanilla, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Quintanilla of McAllen, will serve as her page. Duchess of Rio Red Grapefruit Natalie Sue Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Martin of Spring will serve as Duchess of Rio Red Grapefruit. Natalie is a junior at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe where she has played volleyball for six years and has qualified to attend the USA National Championships four times. For two years her team has been high school varsity volleyball district champions and Natalie has been selected to play on the first team All-District and District Academic Team. The Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association selected her for both their Pre-Season Watch List and Post Season Honors. Her hobbies include Beach Volleyball where she competed at the USA National Championship. She has received offers to play at Arizona State University in the Pacific 12 Conference. Sebastian Ortiz, son of Dr. and Mrs.

Juan Manuel Ortiz of McAllen, will serve as her page. Duchess of Royal Palms Laisha Aimee Lopez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Federico Lopez, will serve as Duchess of Royal Palms. She is a senior at Palmview High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, a regional and state bench record holder and a state medalist for power lifting. Her hobbies are powerlifting and participation in DECA. Gilberto Israel Salinas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gilberto Salinas of Alamo will serve as her page. Duchess of Ruby Red Kaitlyn Renae Ramirez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Lino Ramirez of Mission, will serve as Duchess of Ruby Red Grapefruit. She is a senior at Veterans Memorial High School in Mission where she is a Texas FFA Lone Star Degree Farmer, and served as treasurer. She is also Rio Grande Valley District FFA Chaplain. Kaitlyn is a member of the Hidalgo County Cotillion and has received the bronze and silver awards from Girl Scouts. She is a varsity cheerleader and has done community service by cheering at some elementary school promotions. Kaitlyn has played golf since her freshman year and has received honorable mention in competitions two years.

Jacob Martin Keller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marco Keller of Edinburg, will serve as her page. Duchess of Star Ruby Brittany Carolyn Sepulveda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Sepulveda of Mission, will serve as Duchess of Star Ruby. She is a junior at Veterans Memorial High School where she plays Girls Varsity Golf and in 2016-17 she received All District Honors. Brittany has been a member of Heath Occupations Student Association (HOSA) for three years and is currently serves as historian. She has participated in FFA for two years and is a 2018 Cover Girl Representative. She is vice-president of Students Against Drug Abuse and a member of the Hidalgo County Cotillion. Her hobbies include participation in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church youth group, fishing with her father and has participated in Girl Scouts since first grade. Alexander Xavier Lopez, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Lopez of Mission will serve as her page. Duchess of Whitewing Arlynn Guerrero, daughter of Mr. Alfredo Guerrero and Ms. Eliamar Guerrero of Mission, will serve as Duchess of Whitewing. She is a junior at Palmview High School where she is in the top 10 percent of her class, and has been as straight “A” student since fifth grade. She

is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She participated in the Mission Texas Teen USA Pageant in 2017. Her hobbies include modeling and participated in the third annual Halos on Earth Benefit Fashion Show. She attends Our Lady of Guadalupe Church where she helps with donations on holidays. Joaquin S. Gauna, son of Mr. Juan A. Gauna and Mrs. Vivian P, Noriega of McAllen will serve aa her page. Duchess of Wildflowers Alexandria Victoria Canchola, daughter of Mr. Ricardo Silva and Mrs. Nancy Chapa, will serve as Duchess of Wildflower. She is a junior at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley where she is a Division I student athlete for cross country and track & field sporting events. She has been selected to be a part of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee for the NCPA organization and is also a member of the honors society. Her hobbies include painting and crafting floral arrangements to give away and she loves country western dancing with family and friends. Justin Adrian Gonzalez, son of Mr. Jose G. Gonzalez and Ms. Isela D. Gonzalez of Penitas will be her page.

The CiTy of La Joya wouLd Like To CongraTuLaTe

Deseree Tovar

duChess of reTama

La Joya City Council Jose A. “Fito” Salinas Mayor Mary Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem Anna Lisa Ruiz Commissioner Maria E. “Geny” Salinas Commissioner Rey Acosta Commissioner Roberto Jackson City Attorney Mike Alaniz City Administrator Julianita Sabala Administrative Secretary

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Bryceidee Leos Queen Citrianna LXXX It is hard to believe that only a year ago I was being crowned and beginning my reign as Queen Citrianna LXXX. I remember thinking to myself that whether or not I won, it had been a great experience! I am so proud of all the girls here tonight because it takes a lot of courage to walk across this stage. You all have done a great job of representing your city and the Texas Citrus Fiesta. I’ve had an amazing year as Queen. I met a lot of wonderful people and made many lifetime friends. To my court, Karla and Julissa, you are beautiful inside and out. Thank you for making events and parades so much fun. To my Tangerine Court, Victoria, Natalie, Caitlyn and Lezley, you are the cutest and craziest girls I ever met. To my Princess Anna, Gaby, you are the little sister I always wanted. I am going to miss you and cannot wait to see you run for Queen Citrianna in about ten years. To my King Dale, thank you for always believing in me and telling me to follow my dreams. I was one lucky queen to have a king Like you! I am going to miss all our conversations at the parades.

Special thanks to everyone who helped organize the Texas Citrus Fiesta events. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication. Bibi, I would like to thank you for always treating me like royalty and making sure everything was done properly. Mom and Dad, thank you for everything you do for me. You are both my rock and foundation. I would not be here without your unconditional love and support. I love you both and hope that I have made you proud. This has by far been the greatest experience of my life, and I want to thank you again for all the great memories. I will keep these memories in my heart forever. I am so proud that I am now a part of the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s history. Sarah, as my successor, please do not take one moment for granted. Your time as Queen will fly by before you realize it. Good luck and congratulations as your reign as Queen Citrianna LXXXI has now started. Love always, Bryceidee Leos

Saluting the 81st TEXAS CITRUS FIESTA

Salvador Vela Mayor

Ricardo Garza Commissioner

Arturo Galvan Jr Mayor Pro Tem

Richard Arevalo Commissioner

Emilio Cantu Jr Commissioner

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Celebrating the 81st Annual Texas Citrus Fiesta

Red. Sweet.

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King Citrus LXXX bids farewell

It was both an honor and yet a very humbling experience to have been chosen to represent the Texas citrus industry and the 2017 Texas Citrus Fiesta as King Citrus LXXX. The year 2017 was a whirlwind of fiesta-related activities, but three things really stood out for me. First, is the passion and the love for the Texas Citrus Fiesta that Bibi Pena, Bill Filut and their entire force of volunteers have. They do an outstanding job of seeing all events through to their successful completions and never complain about weather conditions, long hours away from home, or hard work. Saying thanks alone for these things is not enough. So hopefully I have shown them from my heart how much their friendship has meant to me this year. Second, surprisingly, was the genuine enthusiasm of the crowds along the parade routes. I learned that if you show them you are truly glad to be attending their parades, they will show you a heartfelt gratitude for coming in return. Third was getting to know a group of young ladies that made me both laugh and cry. Each of these young people are very special in their own ways. But collectively, the ladies that made up the 2017 Texas Citrus Fiesta Royal Court filled my heart. So, to Bryceidee, my Queen Citrianna, Julissa, Karla and Jewel, thank you for showing class and compassion to your adoring young fans, the young kids who look up to you. And to Gaby, my Princess Anna, Victoria, Natalia, Lezley and Caitlyn, and all their parents, thank you for your energy and enthusiasm. You each did a wonderful job of leading by example and kept it fun. Congratulations to the Texas citrus industry, the City of Mission, and especially the Texas Citrus Fiesta for 80 years of successful fiestas, and still going strong. Dale Murden, King Citrus LXXX

TCF Carnival will be open Jan 18-28

9625 N Moorefield Rd â&#x20AC;˘ Mission, Texas 956) 424-7775 www.lonestarcitrus.com

Look for ferris wheels and tilt-a-whirls plus a lot of other fun rides at the annual Texas Citrus Fiesta Carnival that opened yesterday and will continue through the 28 of January during fiesta. The carnival is located on the corner of Conway Avenue and W. F.M. 495 near the old Carlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Store. Managed by Heart of America Carnivals the rides will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on week days. Make plans to go and have a good time!

Texas Citrus Fiesta Roundup Friday, Jan. 19 Heart of America Carnival The Heart of America Carnival opened January 18 and will run through January 28, offering kids of all ages a chance to enjoy the rides, food and games offered at the carnival. The carnival is located on the northwest corner of FM 495 and Conway Avenue next to the old Carl’s Grocery store. Saturday, Jan. 20 Royal Reception The Texas Citrus Fiesta Royal Reception for those participating in the Coronation will be held at Balli’s Terrace and Event Center located at 1509 Industrial Blvd., in Mission at 7 p.m. This is a formal ball where everyone participating in the Coronation will be introduced by their title. It is the first formal event where the ball gowns are worn. Tickets are $50 per person and are available through the Texas Citrus Fiesta office in advance. Thursday, Jan. 25 Royal Coronation The Texas Citrus Fiesta Royal Coronation of King Citrus and Queen Citrianna will be held at 7 p.m. at the Neuhaus Gym on the campus of Mission High School, located at 1802 W. Cleo Dawson Drive. Tickets for general seating are $5 and $10 for reserved seating. Saturday, Jan. 27 Fiesta Fun Run/Walk The annual 5K Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Run/ Walk will begin at 8 a.m. at the Mission Hike and Bike Trail located at 1414 S. Conway. Register online at endurancesplits@webconnex.com/texascitrusfiesta5krun/walk. Or go to Mission Parks and Recreation at 721 N. Bryan Road. Call (956) 580-8760 for information. Registration is $20 for adults or $15 for students. T-shirts and participation medals will be given to the first 200 participants. Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Fair Due to the reconstruction of Leo Pena “La Placita” Park, the Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Fair will be held at Market Square, next to the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce on West Tom Landry Drive. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with entertainment, food and arts and crafts. Admission is free. Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges The annual Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges, which attracts up to 100,000 people annually, will take place going north to south on Conway Avenue beginning at FM 495 and ending at 1st Street at 3 p.m. Concessions and sale of Texas Citrus Fiesta barbecue will begin at 12 p.m. along the parade route for the convenience of those who wish to go early and stake out a good viewing spot. Don’t miss any of these exciting events!

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Celebrating the 81st Annual Texas Citrus Fiesta

The City of Palmview proudly supports

Duchess of Royal Palms

Laisha Lopez

Gerardo Perez Mayor

Javier Ramirez Mayor Pro Tem

Joselito Hernandez Councilman

Duchess of Crepe Myrtle

Britney Rosales Linda Sarabia Councilwoman

Leo Olivares - Interim City Manager

Ricardo Villarreal Councilman

www.cityofpalmview.com

Joel Garcia Councilman

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

81st Texas Citrus Fiesta

A I I W AN A

PIRATE ADVENTURES

Ramiro J. Rodriguez, Jr. Mayor

Robert A Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem

Ruben De Leon Councilman

Jaime Aranda Councilman

Israel Silva Councilman

Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman

4417 North Shary Rd. • Palmhurst, TX • (956)583-8697 • www.cityofpalmhursttx.com

Royal Reception will be held Jan. 20

By Kathy Olivarez The first major event for the queen, princesses and duchesses will be the Royal Reception, an event filed with glitz and glamour. It will be held Jan. 20 at Balli’s Terrace Event Center located at 1509 Industrial Blvd. in Mission. Tickets are $50 per person, presale only. Each person involved in the 2018 Royal Coronation will be officially presented by the Kings Association and introduced by title. Afterwards the duchesses and princesses vying for the title of Queen Citrianna LXXXII will move around the room and introduce themselves as “Duchess of Lantana” or “Princess of Lemon Blossom” based on the agricultural product they represent. Each duchess or princess will wear a beautiful ball gown the color of the product they represent. This event allows the girls to show their poise and grace as they communicate with those present. It allows the girls an opportunity to get to know girls from other schools or communities who are participating in the fiesta. It also allows the fiesta staff a final chance to see the girls wearing their gowns and ask them to make any last-minute alterations necessary to be made on their gowns before the Royal Coronation on Thursday, Jan. 25. Once the introductions and dinner are over, the queen, duchesses and big and little princesses will enjoy dancing with fathers, grandfathers, boyfriends and each other. Excitement rides high as anticipation of the festivities culminating with the naming of a new Royal Family for 2019 begin.

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Parade of Oranges is highlight of Texas Citrus Fiesta By Kathy Olivarez Get ready for brightly colored floats covered in citrus and agricultural products from the Rio Grande Valley. The citrus and agricultural floats draw many to view the parade and see the beautiful creativity used by designers and builders to use Valley products. The theme for this year’s floats and fiesta is “Hawaiian Pirate Adventure,” so look for some colorful floats! As many as 200 different entries will be seen travelling southbound on Conway. These floats are made by Winter Texan groups, churches, schools and various other organizations such as scout troops and dancing schools. The parade is set for Saturday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. and will begin at FM 495 and roll south toward 1st. Street. This year the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s Royal Court will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade. The new king who will be crowned only two days before at the Royal Coronation, the queen, her Lady-in-Waiting and other princesses will be joined

by the young princesses of the Tangerine Court in riding the float. The Duchesses who participated in the coronation will have their own cars in the parade. Besides floats, another favorite entry is always the Oblate priests from the Valley riding on horseback to represent the Cavalry of Christ. Oblate priests came to the Valley at the turn of the last century when it was being settled. They rode along the river and visited towns and ranches where they taught religion to the indigenous workers on the ranches who had not yet been taught about Christianity. They played a very important role in the settlement of the Valley by providing religion and bringing churches to the area. Look for ROTC groups, local high school and junior high bands, dance teams and of course, many cars of dignitaries from Mission and surrounding communities. Go early and stake out a good place to view the parade. Concessions will be going up and down Conway Avenue starting

See PARADE pg. 20

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

PARADE from pg. 19

Proudly Supports

Duchess of Oleander

at 12 p.m. There will be clowns with toys and cotton candy moving along the route along with other treats. Those that get hungry waiting for the parade to start can look for the Fiestaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional brisket barbecue. This tradition was started years ago by the late Don Lester and his group of volunteers who stayed up all night before the parade cooking the meat and preparing sandwiches to be sold along the route with soft drinks. Since his death, the Gerlach boys and friends have continued the popular tradition. Plan to take lawn chairs or to rent chairs from the Conway Avenue Baptist Church Youth Group or rent a seat in the

bleachers set up along the route. The bleachers near the bank are reserved for visiting dignitaries. Beware of the road closings that come with the parade. Conway Avenue between FM 495 and Mile 2 Road will close at 10 a.m. for parade organization. Griffin Parkway will close at 1 p.m. Smaller streets along Conway will close at 12 p.m. Kika de la Garza Loop, East Tom Landry, 6th, 4th, and 1st Streets will remain open until 2 p.m. when all streets along the parade route will be closed. Streets will reopen after the parade is over. Come out and enjoy one of the biggest and best parades South Texas has to offer.

No Texas Citrus Fiesta can be put together at the last minute. Creating the successful fiestas that Mission has experienced is a year-round job for the board who send out information, set up contests, organize entries for parades and fun fair venders and a hundred other things that make the fiesta the success that it is. Attending other parades in cities that send their floats to our parade takes place all year long and takes a commitment

on the part of the king, queen, and royal court and the members of the staff who go along to pull the float and organize those who will be attending. The people who do these jobs do them willingly because of their love of the Texas Citrus Fiesta. With the exception of the director and office staff, none are paid for their services. These are the people who make it happen.

Texas Citrus Fiesta Board of Directors

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018 (Based on an article on John H. Shary that ran in the Mission Centennial Magazine published by the Progress Times).

John H. Shary: Father of the Texas Citrus Industry

By Kathy Olivarez It is said that when John H. Shary was trying to decide whether to stay in the Rio Grande Valley and develop the citrus industry or whether to move elsewhere, he took his lucky silver dollar out of his pocket and flipped it three times. Each time it came up heads and that meant he would stay in the Valley. He decided to stay and pursue his dream of creating a citrus industry in South Texas. The son of Austrian immigrants who settled in Nebraska, Shary became one of the most influential men in the Rio Grande Valley. He attended Doane College and became a pharmacist after graduating from high school. He opened a pharmacy in Omaha but gave it up after a couple of years when he was offered a job that gave him a chance to travel. Shary first settled in Corpus Christi where he worked as a land developer. He bought 30,000 acres of untouched brushland for $15,000. He eventually made a profit of over $100,000 from the land. With a partner he developed another 260,000 acres of land under the name International Land & Investing Company. Shary sent workers throughout the Midwest to spread the word about the favorable living conditions in Texas. He ran weekly excursion trains to South Tex-

as over a period of 30 years. Shary brought people to Texas to see what could be done in the Rio Grande Valley. He hired people to promote land sales in the Midwest through brochures that showed beautiful homes and bountiful crops and people enjoying life. There were also newspaper articles in papers in the Midwest describing the benefits of moving to the Rio Grande Valley to farm. Those targeted were individuals with enough money to invest in land from Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, the Dakotas and Oklahoma. Shary is given credit for attracting more settlers to South Texas than any other developer. Shary made his first trip to the Rio Grande Valley in 1912, where he immediately saw the potential for growing citrus in the Valley. There were citrus trees growing in the Valley but no industry to market them. Shary immediately began to plan for a citrus industry. Although he was ridiculed for the idea, he purchased 12,000 acres of land from Judge Brooks Estate and 6,000 acres from the Briggs Estate. In 1914 he obtained an additional 16,000 acres from the Swift estate and 20,000 from the Oblate Fathers Estate. He put

See John H. Shary pg. 23

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

JOHN H. SHARY from pg. 22 the land together and called it Sharyland. At the time scientists were saying the land along the Rio Grande was the most fertile in the world besides along the Nile River. The land considered to be the Lower Rio Grande Valley was composed of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy Counties. The Valley formed a triangle composed of about 90 miles along the river, and 60 miles along the coast. It included about one million acres of very fertile land, which could be used for agriculture production if there was a way to get water to it. The Valley was known to have eight distinct types of soils that were good for growing different things. Two of these soils, Laredo Clay, which stretched from Mission to San Benito, and Brennan Loam, found south of Mission closer to the river, would prove to be excellent soils for citrus orchards. Shary realized the land could not be used for citrus without a source of water. In 1914, he organized the United Canal Company taking over the Mission Canal Company started, by John J. Conway and James W. Hoit. Once the water was available for irrigation, Shary planted his first 300 acres of citrus at what is now the

intersection of Shary Road and Business 83. He would follow with another 15,000 acres of groves in what he called Sharyland Plantation. Shary looked to find the best root stock for his trees and found that sour orange root stock worked best in the Valley because it was resistant to gummosis, which created scabs on the limbs of the plants and weakened them, and root rot. Trees were irrigated every four to six weeks and more often if needed during the summer. The first car of graded citrus fruit was shipped out of the Valley in 1921. At that time Shary had 200,000 citrus trees growing in his orchards, of which 70 percent had been grown in the Rio Grande Valley. By the 1921-22 season 54 railroad cars of citrus fruit was shipped north from the Mission area to northern markets. Approximately 65 percent of the fruit was grapefruit, 25 percent was oranges and the other 10 percent was a mixture of other citrus fruits. The Texas citrus industry had begun. Shary took a group of people to California to study the way citrus was packed for shipping and marketed. The group observed firsthand how the fruit was cleaned and brushed and classified for size. The

fruit was packed under a standard brand. When Shary returned he built a modern packing plant, Texas Growers Exchange in Mission, to market all the citrus fruit grown in the Rio Grande Valley. The response from growers all over the Valley was overwhelming. Previously fruit had been marketed under the name Sharyland, Longhorn, Bluebonnet and other brand names. Shary coined the name TexaSweet and used it for all fruit from the Rio Grande Valley. Between 1924 to 1929 there was a great movement to populate the Rio Grande Valley with new residents. In addition to Shary’s operation, there were at least 30 other land development companies selling land. The train companies realized the land excursions meant more business for their trains and got into the act by transporting large numbers of people to the Valley to see what was going on. Missouri Pacific even took a traveling exhibit of Valley grown citrus fruit on tour though Texas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. This special tour brought up to 20,000 people to Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. Shary built his home out in the middle of nowhere, at three and a half miles north Shary Road. It was a mansion complete with a ballroom and a bowling alley for

entertainment of important visitors. The concept was to create the appearance of a country club atmosphere where everyone would prosper. Employees would take groups of potential customers around to see the orchards that were in production and learn there were others that could be purchased. Those who purchased land were charged a flat fee for irrigation improvements to land in addition to the cost of the land. Shary then sold them the trees, which were grown in his nurseries. Shary made a profit on the packing, marketing and shipping of the fruit, once they started producing. The success enjoyed by Shary was nothing short of phenomenal. The December 1939 issue of Fortune magazine featured Shary “as the man who had turned brush land into tropical gardens.” By then Shary had been given the title “Father of the Texas Citrus Industry.” Without someone with Shary’s vision, means and determination to develop the land in the Valley and bring settlers to farm it, his desire to create the citrus industry and to provide for the irrigation needed for agriculture, it is unlikely the Valley would have been as successful in the agricultural resources as it was in the 20th century.

Congratulations to Texas Citrus Fiesta & Participants on 81 Successful Years!

Timothy W. Brann D.D.S.

GENERAL DENTISTRY EXCEPTIONAL CARE

Richard A. Young D.D.S.

2407 E. Griffin Pkwy. (FM 495 & Shary Rd. Mission • 956-581-2773

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Still going strong after all these years!

THE SPIRIT OF LA LOMITA MISSION LIVES HERE AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH

MASS SCHEDULE

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Congratulations on 81 years of Success!

A I I AN W A

Duchess of Bluebonnet

Selinda Rae Cortez Congratulations, continue to make us proud.

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

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81st Texas Citrus Fiesta “Hawaiian Pirate Adventure” Royal Reception Ball

Balli’s Terrace Event Center • 1509 Industrial Blvd Saturday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. $50 per person, pre-sale only

Royal Coronation of King Citrus & Queen Citrianna Neuhaus Gym at Mission High School Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. $5 General Seating • $10 Reserved Seating

Fiesta Fun Fair

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Fiesta Fun Run

Saturday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 a.m. Mission Hike and Bike Trail • Call 580-8760

Mission Historical Museum Exhibit Fiesta Display 900 Doherty Ave., Mission • 956 580-8646

Heart of America Carnival January 18-28 - FM 495 at Conway Ave

For more information Call 956-585-9724, email info@texascitrusfiesta.org or visit www.texascitrusfiesta.org.

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Mission’s Sister Cities are honored at Mayor’s Brunch

By Kathy Olivarez In hopes of promoting international goodwill with Mexico, Mission has long had the tradition of adopting Sister Cities in Mexico. Once a year during the Texas Citrus Fiesta, Mission Mayor Beto Salinas hosts a Mayor’s International Brunch where representatives of Sister Cities, who are invited to come visit the city during the festivities are honored with a special breakfast which is by invitation only. It will be held at Mario’s Banquet Center at 9 a.m. the day of the parade. Businessmen throughout the city and elected officials from surrounding cities are invited to take part in the brunch. According to Aida Lerma, deputy city manager, an invitation was issued to Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, to be keynote speaker but at press time there had been no official response. Sister Cities often request help with things they need but cannot afford. For instance, the city has donated ambulances, fire trucks, EMS and fire equipment and even school buses to these cities. The items donated are old by American standards or may be of no use to departments due to new federal guidelines. However,

since Mexico’s standards are not as stringent as those in the United States, the Sister Cities can use these items for some time to come. Not all cities make requests every year. Sister Cities in Mexico include Linares, Nuevo Leon, which became Mission’s first Sister City after signing the agreement in 1993. Others include Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas; Salinas Victoria, Nuevo Leon; Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco; Allende, Nuevo Leon; San Fernando, Tamaulipas; General Escobedo, Nuevo Leon; Cd. Madero, Tamaulipas; Quinta Roo Cancun. Jalisco; and Cadereyta Jimenez, Nuevo Leon. Additional Sister Cities include Casimiro Castillo, Jalisco; Villa del Carbon, Estado de Mexico; Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas; Angostura, Sinoloa; Monclova, Coahuila, Montemoreles. Nuevo Leon; Francisco I. Madero, Coahuila; and Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo. Mission signed a Sister City agreement with Carmona Providence in Seville, Spain in 2016. In 2017, Sister City agreements were signed with General Teran, Nuevo Leon; Coatlan del Rio, Morelos, Mexico and Miguel Aleman Tamaulipas, Province of Panama, Republic of Pana-

ma and Almolonga, Department of Quetzaltenango of the Republic of Guatemala. Several of our Sister Cities will be creating exhibits of native costumes from their areas for the Mission Historical Mu-

celebrations held at MHM during October and November by creating altars honoring their loved ones.

seum thatabove: will beMayor on display Pictured Beto during Salinasthe along with Tamaulipas Governor Francisco Cabeza de Vaca, during a press panel at last year’s International Brunch. Fiesta and for a time afterwards. Many also participate in the Dia de los Muertos

Princess Anna 68th LXVIII

Jalynn Danielle

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Congratulations to our little princess! We are profoundly proud of your accomplishment. You are the joy of our lives! Keep spreading that joy and may God continue to shine through you. Have fun and make lifetime memories as you reign as Princess Anna 68th. With all our love, Lionel and Natalie Mascorro & Family You are a child of God. You are wonderfully made, dearly loved, and precious in his heart. Psalm 139

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

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Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Ancestor of Duchess of Mandarin Orange started first citrus trees in RGV By Kathy Olivarez and Jose De Leon III During last November’s Princess Anna Pageant, 16-year-old Alyssa Navarro and her mom came across an article of the Progress Times that would impact her family history. The article, Navarro said, detailed how the citrus industry was inspired by the Laguna Seca Ranch, a citrus growing region north of Edinburg created in 1867 by Macedonio Vela, so he and his family could settle after he was exiled from Mexico. There, in the 4,000 acres of wild brush, his daughter, Carlota would plant the first orange seeds in the Rio Grande Valley after a traveling priest gifted them to her. By planting those seeds, Carlota sparked an agricultural revolution that opened the doors to the huge citrus market the Valley was known for. For Navarro, the article raised questions, as she was aware her ancestors had lived in the Laguna Seca Ranch, which is still owned by the Vela family. Through research she was able to confirm she herself was a descendent of Carlota who was

her great-great-great grandmother. “I was shocked when I found out,” the sophomore at Sharyland Pioneer High School said. “This amazed me. I told my cousins about it, they got into it and now we have we want to know more.” Navarro, who is the duchess of Mandarin Orange at this year’s Texas Citrus Fiesta, said that through Facebook she has been able to locate other descendants of the Vela family who were unaware of the important contribution their ancestors had played in the economy of the Rio Grande Valley. “Carlota had many children so we’re still finding many first, second or third cousins,” Navarro said, adding that the family has a webpage where family members can share photos and talk about their ancestors the Velas. “We have questions, it’s a puzzle we’re trying to solve,” she said. The family is planning to hold a reunion after next Saturday’s fiesta so everyone can go to the Laguna Seca Ranch and learn more about their family. “When I first found this out about Car-

lota and started reaching out to relatives, I had just one thing on my mind,” Navarro said. “‘Maybe God wants me to bring the family together,’ I thought. This is how I’m doing it.” Navarro said she has enjoyed reaching out to family members and finding out more about her family. Assisting her is her mother Myling Valdez, a school teacher at Cantu Elementary School. “It’s a big deal, Valdez said. “A lot of our older generation has passed on, [Navaro’s] aunt and uncle just passed away so the only relatives she has left are her cousins. It’s important for the younger generation to know more of their heritage. It’s all they have left to remember their ancestors.” Being selected as Duchess of Mandarin Orange now means so much more to Navarro, knowing her great-great-great grandmother was the one who unknowingly started the Texas Citrus Industry as more and more people learned about oranges.

& MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO. HOSPITAL BEDS • COMPUTERIZED PRESCRIPTIONS • I.V. NUTRITION WHEELCHAIRS • OXYGEN & RESPIRATORY THERAPY EQUIPMENT DIABETIC SHOES

Open 7am to 12 am - 7 Days a Week* (South Store Only) * 1901 S. 1st • McAllen

7 a.m. - Midnight • 7 days a week

686-3716

630-5500

5120 N. 10th St. • McAllen 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. • Mon. - Sat.

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Princess of Lime Blossom

Emma D. Lozano Congratulations to our Princess! We are so proud of you! All Our Love, The Benavides & The Lozano Family

We are here to meet your nursing and rehabilitation needs. Our services are aimed at returning you to living the life you love.

1013 S. Bryan Rd. â&#x20AC;¢ MIssion, TX

(956) 580-2100 Mission

EXP. 83 MISSION HOSPITAL

BRYAN RD.

CELEBRATING THE 81ST TEXAS CITRUS FIESTA

McAllen

MISSION NURSING HOME

BOTTOM L TO R: Sylvia Gonzalez, BOM; Tanya Carrillo, HR; Sandra Naranjo, Medical Records; Sarah Omoso, RN, MDS Coordinator; Isabel Flores, Administrator; Gaye Springer, LVN, Supervisor; Elisa Larson, RN, MDS Coordinator; Lisa Garcia, Admissions Coordinator. BACK L TO R: Gian Mira, AIT; Jorge Hinojosa, LVN, Supervisor; Clarence Suento, DON; Rogelio Fuentes, Dietary Manager; Carl Zayas, Social Worker.

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

FIESTA FUN FAIR Live Entertainment

BOOTHS & EXHIBITS

H Fiesta Fun Fair 10am-10pm H Arts & Crafts H Vendors & Food Booths H Continuous Live Entertainment H Commercial Exhibits H Educational Exhibits

FIESTA FOODS Funnel Cakes Turkey Legs Tacos H Fajitas Citrus Corn-on-the-Cob Hot Dogs Spiral Potatoes Sausages Pastries Grapefruit Pies H Fruit Stand & Many More Delicious Foods H H H H H H H H H

H H H H H H

Schedule Jan. 27, 2018

Time Machine (Oldies) 10:30 AM Smudge (Classic Rock) 12:00 noon Down South (Country) 1:30 PM DJ during Parade 3:00 PM Ratchet Dolls (Hard Rock) 5:30 PM Whiskey D. (TX Outlaw Music) 7:00 PM

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Texas Citrus Fiesta Product Costume Show

By Kathy Olivarez Get ready for “Hawaiian Pirate Adventures” as Mission’s annual cel-

ebration of the Texas citrus industry kicks off. Events begin on Saturday January 13 beginning with the Texas

81ST TEXAS CITRUS FIESTA

Swing by your community pharmacy with 6 convenient locations, to serve you!

W A II A N A H

PIRATE ADVENTURES

Jesus Saenz, R.Ph. 212 Lindberg • McAllen • (956) 630-6465 6900 N. 10th St. #6 • McAllen • (956) 928-0911 1200 E. Ridge Rd #13 • McAllen • (956) 630-2500 801 E. Nolana Loop #22 • McAllen • (956) 687-2500 2121 E Griffin Pkwy. #18 • Mission • (956) 519-6500 3201 W. Epx. 83 #1 • Peñitas • (956) 585-2704

saenzpharmacy.com

Citrus Fiesta Product Costume Show and run over a two-week period until January 27 culminating with the annual Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges. The show will be held at the Mission Community Center, 1420 E. Kika de la Garza Loop. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. The show starts at 2 p.m. The Product Costume Show is one of the most unique style shows in the United States and is thought to be the only handicraft that originated in the United States. Base costumes are made of a material that will easily hold product such as flannel. Agricultural products grown in the Rio Grande Valley are dried, dehydrated, pulverized into powder, or grown into small flakes and glued with fabric glues to the base costume. The only requirement is that each costume must use some form of citrus. But there are many products to choose from. Grapefruit, lemon, and orange peels can be dehydrated and powdered to create bright colors. Tangerines give a lovely golden color. Leaves can provide a green shade while citrus bark can produce a brown color. Peels can be burned for a black color and citrus seeds may be used for beading. For other colors bougainvillea’s can produce a variety of shades from pinks to purple. Purple sage can provide a purple while onion skins when ground provide flakes that resemble

lace on finer materials. The products used are up to the designer and sometimes a totally new product is used. Each costume is unique. Some by new designers getting their first experience are simple while other costumes have astonishing detail to them. These costumes take hours and hours to make. In addition to the style show the winners of the shoebox float contest will be announced. This is a contest between fourth and fifth grade student in the Mission, Sharyland and La Joya Independent School Districts. Each float must reflect the theme of the Texas Citrus Fiesta, “Hawaiian Pirate Adventures.” They will be made from some of the same materials as the entries in the Product Costume Show. A third component of the show and a new addition to the show this year will be the announcement of the winners of the 2nd Annual Ultimate Grapefruit Pie Baking Showdown, sponsored by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association. (Last year it was part of the Fun Fair). Make plans to attend this special event and enjoy seeing the unique costumes made by the designers, view the shoebox floats made by the elementary students, and see who won the grapefruit pie baking contest. See you there.

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

mission hospital 1-2pg

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

Corporate Sponsors 2018

FOX, Heart of America Entravision, MEDC, Univision, Unimas MIX 107.9, Q94.5, The Rock, La Nueva 99.5 Mission CISD, Progress Times, Texas National Bank, Wonderful Citrus Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Capital Farm Credit, MCM Sporting Goods, Javier Hinojosa Engineering, Peter Piper Pizza (Mission), AEP Texas, IBC Bank, South Shary Rentals, Sam’s Club, Rio Grande Juice Co., State Representative Sergio Munoz, Jr., District 36 United Health Care Madrigal’s Flower Shop, Restaurante Molcas, Running D Consulting LLC, State Representative Oscar Longoria, District 35 The Groom Room

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018

La Joya ISD

Spring 2018

Folklorico & Mariachi Concerts Palmview HS Mariachi - Folklorico Public Performances Feb. 17, 2018 • 2pm & 7pm

Palmview HS Mariachi - Folklorico Public Performances Feb. 18, 2018 • 2pm

La Joya HS Mariachi - Folklorico Public Performances March 3, 2018 • 2pm & 7pm

La Joya HS Mariachi - Folklorico Public Performances March 4, 2018 • 2pm

Juarez Lincoln HS Mariachi - Folklorico Public Performances April 7, 2018 • 2pm & 7pm

Juarez Lincoln HS Mariachi - Folklorico Public Performances April 8, 2018 • 2pm

All of the above performances will take place at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 N. Coyote Dr. La Joya, TX All tickets are available at Fine Arts Office One week before each event Mon thru Friday 9am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm

For Information call 323-2898 and 323-2895

Fiesta Souvenir Edition 2018