Texas Border Business
WESLACO, Texas – RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsors recently presented their 2026 Texas Boys State Delegates to their high school counselors, parents and community at a special Announcement Ceremony held at Weslaco City Hall, hosted by Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez, honorary sponsor, and RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsors.
“For the past ten years, RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsors, made up of Texas Boys State Alumni from across the Valley, recognizes The Best of the Best Texas Boys State Delegates who will represent the 956 at Texas’ most prestigious leadership conference in the Lone Star State, Chair/Founder Luciano S. Garza, III. said.
“These student leaders are selected in a competitive process that includes: a 500 word essay on “What Leadership Means to me,” GPA, teacher letters of recommendation, and their vast school and community service activities, and personal interviews.”
“In the past our Delegates have been voted by fellow Statesmen for some of the highest offices at Texas Boys State, ran for Governor (and had a few Runners-up!), seated at House of Representatives and Senate, debating and passing bills into law, invited to return as Counselors and even selected for Boys Nation, the highest position! We know that each year they will make their high schools, our Alumni Group and the Valley proud at Texas Boys State!”
This year’s Guest speaker was Bobby Pulido, 1991 Edinburg High School Delegate Alumni Sponsor and Texas Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Congressman, 15th District-Texas. Pulido shared his own Texas Boys State experience and the lasting bond the leadership experience instills in every delegate.
He said: “I had a great experience at Boys State! ..Some of my fellow Boys State Delegates are now elected officials in Freer and Texas cities where I’m campaigning and it’s great to see they are still involved in their communities, as you will give back one day..”
Also invited to speak was Seby Haddad, McAllen City Commissioner and candidate for Texas State Representative District 41. Haddad congratulated the delegates and their families for raising our community’s future leaders, and molding them into productive members of our society, learning about civics and government.
Johnny Salinas, owner, Salinas Funeral Homes, was a sponsor for the 10th annual Announcement Ceremony and also congratulated the delegates and their parents. He mentioned their hard work in getting to this momentous occasion and said he couldn’t wait to see what their bright future holds for each of them.
Dinner was once again donated for all the guests by Texas Boys State supporters and friends of the sponsors Amanda Esquivel, Owner, Mercedes Chic-Fil-A and her husband, Hidalgo County District Judge O.J. Esquivel.
The traditional Boys State cake and pan de polvo was graciously donated by Delegate parents Paulina and Dr. Carlos Mohamed.
This year’s Texas Boys State Delegates were selected from across the RGV, and who will represent their respective high schools, South Texas and RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsors are: Carlos Andres Mohamed, McAllen HS IB Academy, son of Paulina and Dr. Carlos Mohamed; Cole Hansen, South Texas Med High, son of Ana and Chris Hansen; Rafael Enriquez, son of Eric and Sylvia Enriquez; Jose Guerrero, son Olga Rodriguez and Luis Guerrero; Mario Medrano, son of Mario and Deborah Medrano, and Luke Guerrero, son of Monica and Hector Guerrero, all representing Donna High School.
Special Thanks goes to City of Weslaco Secretary Norma Cantu and her fine staff for always helping us with Certificates of Recognition from Mayor Gonzalez, setting up for the traditional event and donating water bottles to the guests.
Also, Thank you to U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez, Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez and Texas State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez for presenting our 2026 Texas Boys State Delegates with official Certificates of Recognition. Congressman Gonzalez even wrote each delegate a personal letter of congratulations!
The Alumni Sponsors are also grateful to Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes, a 1990 Texas Boys State Delegate Alum Sponsor from Weslaco High School, who also sent each delegate special souvenir gifts from his office.
Garza, a 1980 Weslaco High School Delegate, Counselor/Sponsor ; and Skyler Howell, 2021 Texas Boys State Delegate, Counselor and now an Alumni Sponsor, interviewed the top finalists before the Announcement Ceremony.
“Each year it is difficult to select the best leaders, as they are all extremely qualified and ready to represent their high schools,” Howell said.
The other RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsors include: Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa, Edinburg High Delegate Alum; Carlos Galvan, San Benito Delegate Alum; Jaime Solis, Donna High Delegate Alum; Judge Kino Flores, Jr., La Joya Delegate Alum, Dr. Eduardo “Dusty” Luna, Edinburg North Delegate Alum; Judge Abiel Flores, Mission High Delegate Alum; Saul Garcia, Edcouch-Elsa Delegate Alum; Rudy Ramirez, San Benito Delegate Alum; Andres Guerra, Edinburg North Delegate Alum, and Ricardo Rodriguez and Mayor Adrian Gonzalez (Honorary Sponsors).
American Legion Texas Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each student becomes a part of the operation of his local, county, and state government.
At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities, of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical, with city, county, and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices.
This year Texas Boys State will be held June 7th – 12th, 2026 at The University of Texas-Austin. American Legion Commanders and posts escort our RGV Delegates on a charter bus they provide each year. We are grateful to each American Legion post for their generosity and continued commitment to helping us inspire and empower our future leaders!
For information on how to join our RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsors, either as an Alum or Honorary Sponsor, please contact any Sponsor listed above or contact Luciano Garza at lsgarza3@yahoo.com.
