Texas Border Business
American Legion Texas Boys State and Bluebonnet Girls State
WESLACO, Texas – Recently, during their End-of-the-Year Awards Assembly, Central Middle School, Weslaco ISD in Weslaco, Texas recognized some of their student leaders who were selected as recipients of the 1st-annual, inaugural “American Legion Texas Leadership Essay Contest Winners.”
The top essay winners were selected from a committee of their Language Arts teachers, and American Legion Texas Boys State alumni, who are now community leaders, working as doctors, judges, attorneys, educators, government elected officials, pharmacists and even one, in particular, Bobby Pulido, Edinburg High 1991 Delegate Alum and RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsor, who took the time from campaigning for Texas 15th Congressional race, to read all of the students’ essays and helped select the winners.
Their alumni group chairman, Luciano S. Garza, III., is a Weslaco High School honors graduate alum, represented Weslaco High School at Texas Boys State in 1980, served as a Counselor, and now Sponsor, founded the RGV Boys State Alumni Group ten years ago.
“We decided to begin a conversation about servant leadership in the middle school years because hopefully this will inspire these student leaders to become active in their school and community, even applying for Texas Boys State and Bluebonnet Girls State leadership programs when they become WHS Juniors,” said Garza.
“We are grateful for U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez, Texas-34th District and Texas State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez, Texas-39th District for honoring our inaugural recipients with official Congressional and Texas Certificates of Recognition from their offices.”
Garza added: “It was a joy to work with Central Middle School administrators, including Principal Serna, Assistant Principal Ms. Medrano, Sabrina Garcia-Cuellar and the Language Arts teachers who chose the finalists. And, of course, our Weslaco ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Rivera, who supported the idea immediately, always encouraging our students to become stronger leaders in their schools and community.”
Recognized as the 8th grade American Legion Leadership Essay Contest recipients: Javier Villarreal, Susana Vela, Arianna Borbon, Lianna Cavazos, Marcus Diaz, Christoper Leija, Yaimie Alvarez, Arleth Gonzalez, Jaclyn Ramirez, Daniel Rodriguez, Jewel Martinez, AngelynaMoreno, Lucas M. Fullingim, Jaden A. Flores, Andrea Guerrero, Giselle Ruiz and Santiago Martinez.
The 7th grade American Legion Leadership Essay Contest winners: Elijah Luke Garza McGinnis, Violet Kerr, Osmar Gael Martinez, Finn Perez, Zenil Cuellar, Patricio Mendez, Ian Rico, Grayson Alexander, Elijah Escobar, Romeo Martinez, Elyza Zepeda, Salome Gutierrez Herrera, Jayden Medrano, Ashton Arends, Arianna Salinas, Sophia Mejia, Jocelyn Castillo, Karol Reyna and Lupita Guerra
Congratulations to all of the student leaders winners, parents and families for raising our community’s future leaders! And to their teaches and administrators for inspiring and empowering them!
American Legion Texas Boys State and Bluebonnet Girls State are two of the state’s prestigious leadership programs where rising seniors attend their respective leadership weeks at University of Texas-Austin (Boys) and Texas Lutheran University (Girls) where they learn by doing, networking, running for elected offices, servant leadership and civics government training all week long by American Legion commanders and staff, former delegates serving as counselors.
If you are interested in sponsoring a future delegate, please contact Luciano Garza, Chairman, RGV Boys State Alumni Group Sponsors at: lsgarza3@yahoo.com or directly at: 956/854-6833.
Information source: RGV Boys State Alumni Group
