Teen Princess and Runners-Up

Annika Nuñez, at left, is the Starr County Fair Teen Princess for 2010. Teen category runners-up were Tanya Marie Rodriguez, center, first runner-up; and Lori Ann Martinez, second runner-up, at right.

Starr County Fair Queen and Runners-Up

Andrea Rae Noles, at left, is the Starr County Fair Queen for 2010. Runners-up to the Queen were, Ruby Renee Martinez, a freshman at Rio Grande City High School, center, first runner-up; and Jennifer Elizabeth Coello, a junior at Rio Grande City High School, at right, second runner-up. Andrea, eighteen year old daughter of Elda M. Noles and the late Malcom Ray Noles, is a senior at San Isidro High School.

Celebrate stories of working America as musical debuts at STC's Pecan Campus

If the television show "The Office" has taught us anything, it's that
the work environment can be quite entertaining. And sometimes the most
interesting characters are just a cubicle away. To celebrate America's
professional men and women, South Texas College's South Texas Players
and Music Department will present "Working" on Feb. 25 through 28 at
STC's Cooper Center for Communication Arts located at the Pecan Campus
at 3200 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen.
Performances take place at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 through 27 with a matinee-only
show on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Ticket are $10 for general admission, $7 for
seniors and members of the military, and $5 for STC students, faculty
and staff. The production is recommended for junior and senior high
school students and adults.
Adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso from the award-winning book by
Studs Terkel, the musical tells the stories of 26 workers who sing and
talk about their jobs and the daily grind. Characters include a parking
lot attendant, a corporate executive, a school teacher, a UPS man, a
migrant worker, a supermarket checker, a housewife, a fireman, a
waitress and a millworker. "Working" explores the lives and future hopes
and aspirations of working men and women.
"Most of us spend the majority of our time in an office setting, and it
is there that you'll encounter some of the most interesting people and
antics imaginable," said Carroll. "'Working' is an amazing collage of
stories and songs that speaks volumes about the dignity of those
individuals who work hard every day to support their families. It's a
true homage to working Americans and we hope the community will come out
to relate to, and laugh and sympathize with some very compelling
stories."
STC's drama and music departments are collaborating on the production,
which is directed by Dr. Jack Carroll, coordinator of STC's drama
program and troupe leader of The South Texas Players. STC's Sharon
O'Leary and Daniel Cather direct the 17 musical numbers. The cast is
comprised of STC students, staff and faculty, as well as local community
members. Students enrolled in the college's Theatre Practicum course and
volunteers from the STC community are assisting with sets, lighting,
sound, props, costumes and make up.
For more information contact Dr. Jack Carroll at
jfcarroll@southtexascollege.edu
or 956-872-2639.

Aldape Prepares For Return Trip To State Swim Meet

By Ricky Pérez
Roma, TX – Roma Gladiator swimmer, Juancarlos Aldape can hardly contain the excitement he feels about returning to the UIL State Swimming Meet in Austin, Texas February 25-27, 2010. Last season, Juancarlos earned a trip to the State Meet as a freshman by qualifying as the Regional Champion in the 500 freestyle and placed 10th in that event with a best time of 4:57. This season, Aldape has qualified in two events as the Regional Champion in the 500 and 200 freestyle. “My immediate goal is to better my time in both events and if I medal, well that would be the icing on the cake,” said Juancarlos. ”My best time this season in the 500 is 4:52.82 and in the 200 it is 1:47:11. The times to beat at the state level are 4:42 and 1:42 respectively so I’m preparing to swim my best once I get there,” Aldape added. Juancarlos employs a practice regimen that includes a rigorous weekly workout at the Gladiator Natatorium mixed together with meditation exercises incorporating music he likes to listen to like Eminem and Green Day. But he is also a determined student of the sport and analyzes his performance after each event by studying video and listening to his mentor, Roma Swim Coach Calvin Snyder. “Juancarlos challenges me to come up with innovative workouts that push him to his limits,” said Coach Snyder. “I’m looking forward to seeing him at the State Meet and moreover I’m looking forward to seeing the entire team perform at the State Meet next year,” added Coach Snyder. Juancarlos credits his parents and family for providing the motivation he needs to excel in swimming and as a student at Roma High School. Aldape remembers beginning to swim as young as three years of age and at age 8 he was already participating in competitive events. Aside from improving his swimming ability, Juancarlos is looking forward to completing the requirements for a high school diploma and pursue another one in college. He aspires to swim for a university team and tacks on one more….qualifying for an Olympic team!

2010 STARR COUNTY FAIR TO BEGIN WITH WILD GAME DINNER, PAGEANT FEBRUARY 20, 21

The annual Wild Game Dinner of the Starr County Youth Fair has been set for Saturday, February 20, at 6:00 p.m. at the James Peterson Memorial Building at the Starr County Fairgrounds. Serving will begin at 6:30. The event will officially kick off the 45th annual fair. Honored guest will be 2010 Starr County Fair Parade Marshal, Emma Gonzalez.

The Rio Grande City Rotary Club will coordinate the Wild Game Dinner again this year, with Starr County Fair Board President Billy Canales serving as chair. They invite the public to make plans to attend and help make this event a success. Contact information is available at starrcountyfair.com.

Tickets for the meal will be $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Rio Motor Co. or from Rotary Club or Starr County Fair Association board members. A silent auction will be held, and donations to the Starr County Fair Association will be accepted. Proceeds from the fund raiser are used to provide scholarships to up to eight Starr County seniors.

Canales stated that many enthusiastic cooking teams have signed up to prepare and serve their specialties at the dinner. Some of the taste tempters prepared in previous years are fried catfish and shrimp, chicken fried venison, shrimp cocktail, turkey chili, quail on wild rice, eland (wild elk) shish kabobs and pan de campo, handmade corn tortillas, Japanese quail, pork and venison chili, cabrito guisado, venison burgers, puerco guisado, venison sausage and venison guisado, and delicious desserts. Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks will also be provided.

The Starr County Fair Queen’s Pageant will be at 6:00 on Sunday evening, February 21. The pageant will be held at the Fort Ringgold auditorium in Rio Grande City. Young ladies pre-k through high school are encouraged to compete for the title of Queen and Princesses in the Teen category, Pre-Teen category, and Petite category. The 2010 royalty will reign during the Starr County Fair and will ride in the parade and be featured at events throughout the fair. Anyone interested in participating in the pageant, call the Starr County Extension Office at 487-2306. Entry forms are available at Starr-TX@tamu.edu

Youth Fair Pageant Sunday February 21st

Relinquishing her crown as the 2009 Queen will be Elsa De Leon. Elsa reigned at our last year’s fair so eloquently along with her court. The court presents all of the prizes and awards to the Youth Fair winners during the three day event.

Elsa is the 17 year old daughter of Mario F. & Norma De Leon of Roma.

The pageant is returning to Rio Grande City. Each year the pageant moves to various communities that are involved in the fair. Next year it will be in San Isidro.

If you are between the grade levels of pre-kinder & high school and would like to experience the fun and magic of the longest running pageant in Starr county sign up and be a participant!!

This is not like other normal beauty pageant because this pageant is set up to encourage and reinforce the confidence and natural beauty that is within each girl. The pageant helps each girl develop poise and self-confidence as they walk across the stage. Participants will have the opportunity to express themselves in the selection of their costume and the smile that generates their personality.

We invite families to come and celebrate the 46th Youth Fair and jumpstart the event by getting involved in this year’s pageant in Rio Grande City.

Come and experience the magic of the pageant, make new friends and have a great time. All participants will reap the benefits, build their self-esteem and appreciation of self. Everyone is a winner when they fulfill a dream.

Applications are available at all Starr county schools or at the Extension office.

STARR COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION SETS ANNUAL FAIR COOK-OFF

Get your teams together for the Starr County Fair Cook-off! The event is being sponsored by Glazer’s Distributors, dba Valley Beverage, McAllen, Texas. Trophies will be presented for the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion entries in each of the following categories: Chili con Carne; Fajitas; Frijoles a la Charra; Pan de Campo; Cabrito; Carne Guisada; Chicken; Ribs; and Open Division.
Entries will be judged on taste, texture, and appearance. The cook-off is scheduled for Sunday, February 28, 2010, at the Fairgrounds and will begin at 8:00 a.m., which will also be the registration deadline. Judging will begin at 11:30 noon. Entry fee is $25.00 per team entry. Your team can represent your company, business, or club.

*******************Fair Cook-off Entry Form****************

To enter the Starr County Fair Cook-off, you may mail in this form. Contact Mike Villarreal at 956-716-6830 or Lupe Amador at 956-488-6000 with any questions.

Head Cook________________________
Phone #___________________
Address_________________________________
City_______________________
State___________
Zip_______________
Name of Team_______________________________________________
Team Members______________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________
(No more than 5 members per team, please!)

Please return this form with check payable to:
Starr County Fair Association
P.O. Box 841
Rio Grande City, TX 78582