Cameron County Fair & Livestock Show Cowgirl Contestants

The 32 Annual Cameron County Fair & Livestock Show Cowgirl Contest will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Los Fresnos High School Cafetorium.

Twenty-two young ladies representing several local 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters throughout Cameron County will be competing for the crown of 2012 Cameron County Fair & Livestock Show Petite Cowgirl, Jr. Cowgirl and Cowgirl.

Petite Cowgirl contestants:

1. Phoebe Archibald is a third grade, home-schooled student. She is 8-years-old and is the daughter of Katherina Archibald from Harlingen. Phoebe is representing Town and Country 4-H Club. Phoebe enjoys outdoor activities such as soccer and working with her plants. She is active in gymnastics and has received awards for her participation. While Phoebe only recently began her involvement with her 4-H, she looks forward to meeting new friends and to do well in school in order to help in her community in her future.

2. Caroline A. Baker, better known as "Lexi" to everyone is a third grade student at C.E. Vail Elementary in La Feria. She is 8-years-old and is the daughter of Alex and Adriana Baker. Lexi is representing La Feria 4-H Club. Lexi has participated in can food drives to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, and donated toys to the local Christmas toy drives. She is the recipient of perfect attendance and has been on the "All A" and the "A/B" honor roll at her school. She enjoys photography and wants to volunteer at the Human Society when she is old enough. Lexi’s future plans include attending college to be a veterinarian.

3. Cara Cash is a fifth grade student at Stuart Place Elementary in Harlingen. She is 10-years-old and is the daughter of Todd and Michelle Cash from Harlingen. Cara is representing the Highland Hustlers 4-H Club. At her school, Cara has been an early morning reader, part of the Kindness Café in recognition of her good character, and has participated in the Thanksgiving 4-H program. She is a gifted and talented student and competes as an "Impromptu Speaker" in the Academic Olympics where she earned a gold medal. She is on the "All A Honor Roll" and has perfect attendance. Cara’s involvement in 4-H is part of her family’s tradition and she enjoys following in her parents’ footsteps. Plans in her future include attending Texas A&M University and to become a veterinarian, and lend her assistance at the local Human Society.

4. Sarita Del Valle is a fourth grade student at St. Paul’s Academy in Harlingen. She is 9-years-old and is the daughter of Noelia Elizondo and Fernando Del Valle. Sarita is representing the Harlingen Junior FFA Club. Sarita is a member of her local Girl Scouts, and has participated in community activities such as annual Christmas caroling, participating in canned food, toy, and school supply drives at both her school and church; and she participated in the Hugh Ramsey Park waterway cleanup project. She is on the "A/B Honor Roll" and the Honor Roll Guard at St. Paul’s Academy where she also participates in the Private Schools Interscholastic Association competitions. She has a love for nature and animals and enjoys meeting people with the same interests. She plans to attend college and becoming a veterinarian.

5. Talitha Garcia is a fifth grade student at Rio Hondo Intermediate School. She is 10-years-old and is the daughter of Eloy and Martha Garcia. Talitha is representing the Deep River 4-H club where she serves as Second Vice-President. Talitha has supported her community through Thanksgiving and Christmas events as well as volunteering at the American Military Support. She enjoyed working at the 4-H Fishing Tournament and donating to the annual Sock & Blanket Drive. Talitha is on her school’s "A/B Honor Roll" and competed in the UIL dictionary skills and listening skills. She also participated in the Boys & Girls winter basketball competition. Talitha has enjoyed learning much from 4-H involvement such as community service, communication skills, and responsibility. Her future plans include completing high school and attending college.

6. Holly Hargrove is a third grade student who is also homeschooled through Harlingen Homeschoolers. She is 9-years-old and is the daughter of Heather Hargrove from Harlingen. Holly is representing the Town & Country 4-H Chapter. Holly’s community support includes her involvement with Adopt-a-Platoon, donating clothing and toys to children’s homes, and participating in Christmas caroling and local canned food drives. She is on the "A/B Honor Roll" and "Dean’s List" and was identified as top seller in her school’s fundraiser. She enjoys showing in the livestock shows and fellowship with peers. Her future plans include college where she hopes to study oceanography and continue to sing.

7. Jenika Martinez is a fifth grade student at Rio Hondo Intermediate School in Rio Hondo. She is 10-years-old and is the daughter of Ayda Martinez from Rio Hondo. Jenika is representing the Riverside 4-H Club. Jenika makes angels to sell for cancer patients and bracelets for breast cancer patients. She also makes teddy bears for children in local hospitals. She is currently the vice president for the Riverside 4-H. Jenika has received commended performance on her reading and math in school and is part of the gifted and talented program. She also competes in UIL spelling. She enjoys working with others and with animals, and loves spending the whole weekend at the stockshows. Her future plans include attending the University of Texas at Austin and plans to major in law.

8. Karen Waters is a fourth grade student at Las Yescas Elementary in Los Fresnos CISD. She is 9-years-old and is the daughter of Bruce and Karen Waters from San Benito. Karen is representing Highland Hustlers 4-H Club. She is an "A Honor Roll" student and a school cheerleader. She has received recognition as the "Top Fundraiser at her School", commended performance in math and reading, and perfect attendance awards. She was named co-captain of her basketball and soccer teams, the Robotics Team Designer, and 4-H Food Challenge team lead speaker. She enjoys tutoring in her after school program, collecting canned goods for the need and singing in her church choir. She loves all aspects of showing and caring for her competition animals and other agriculture projects. Her future plans include attending a university where she can be a veterinarian of small and large animals.

Junior Cowgirl contestants:

9. Holly Ann Amstutz is a sixth grade student at Noemi Dominguez Elementary School in La Feria. She is 11-years-old and is the daughter of Dennis and Rhonda Amstutz from La Feria. Holly Ann is representing the La Feria 4-H Club where she has served as the club’s secretary and 2nd vice-president. Her community service includes participating in book drives and trash pickup. She has also volunteered with Loaves and Fishes with her youth group and was part of the team who planted flowers in La Feria downtown. At school she was awarded the "A/B Honor Roll", is 2nd chair French horn in the band and was the Science Academic Achiever as well as the district champion in the UIL reading writing competition. She enjoys being part of her 4-H club to learn leadership and to serve her community. Her future plans include attending college to be either a drama teacher or band director.

10. Kennedy Boykin is a seventh grade student at Gutierrez Middle School in Harlingen. She is 12-years-old and is the daughter of Bo and Karen Boykin from Harlingen. Kennedy is representing the Harlingen Junior FFA. Kennedy volunteers with the Harlingen Beef Club, the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival and in her city’s Fourth of July and Winter Texan appreciation events. She is on the "A" Honor Roll, a member of the Junior Honor Society, was named "Student of the Month" as well as having been awarded the "Top 5 HESTEC Drone Project." She is a member of the 7th grade Junior Cotillion, Palm Valley Gymnastics Dancing and Tumbling, and on the 7th grade tennis team. She enjoys being part of Junior FFA and wants to continue to show hogs in high school. Her future plans include attending Texas A&M University and pursing a degree in architecture.

11. Annalysa Camacho is an eighth grade student at W.B. Green Junior High in La Feria. She is 13-years-old and the daughter of Christian Camacho from La Feria. Annalysa is representing the La Feria 4-H Club. She is a member of her Student Council and is a school cheerleader. Annalysa is also on her school’s honor roll, received perfect attendance and was awarded commended performance last year. She participated in local 4-H community projects such as Trash Bash, Ronald McDonald House charity events, and Pedal to the Medal Holiday help. She also organized "Reading Rocks" book drive and a "Pet Food" drive to benefit the La Feria Animal Control program. She is the founder and the organizer of the "Please Don’t Forget Me" public awareness project to help parents remember not to leave their children in cars. She enjoys being part of the local 4-H club and values the lessons and friends gained through her experience. Her future plans include expanding her projects in her community and in showmanship competitions while still excelling in all her school organizations and extra-curricular activities.

12. Brooklyn Carrizales is a seventh grade student at Moises Vela Middle School in Harlingen. She is 12-years-old and is the daughter of Rita Carrizales from Harlingen. Brooklyn is representing the Harlingen South Junior FFA Chapter. She is an active community member through her contribution in projects such as Ronald McDonald House, Tim’s Coats, Toys for Toys, canned and toy drives. She participates in the FFA Ag Farm Clean-ups, the Harlingen Beef Club barbecues, and she enjoys attending the FFA Tip-O-Tex Leadership Campus. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Wildlife of Harlingen and the local Riders & Ropers club. She is honor roll student, received perfect attendance and commended performance as well as other awards in choir, drama, athletics and being named "Student of the Month" at her school. She recognizes her participation in FFA is part of her career foundations and those future plans include attending Texas A&M Kingsville to pursue a Master of Science degree in Range and Wildlife Management in order to gain employment with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

13. Jennifer Nicole Flores, better known as "Jennie" to her friends and family is a seventh grade student at Rio Hondo Junior High. She is 12-years-old and is the daughter of Emily Flores from Harlingen. Jennie is representing Deep River 4-H Club. She has participated in serving Thanksgiving meals for the elderly, collecting cans for local food drives, and donated new toys and clothes to charity. She is on the "All A Honor Roll," received awards for accelerated reader and accelered math as well as Most Outstanding Band Awards and UIL science competition. Jennie enjoys being part of her 4-H club and meeting new people. Her future plans include attending the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a medical field career.

14. Jordan Sandoval is an eighth grade student at the IDEA College Preparatory in San Benito. She is 13-years*old and is the daughter of EJ and Linda Sandoval from Rio Hondo. Jordan is representing the Deep River 4-H Club where she is in her third term as club president. She was also appointed historian and health & safety officer of the Cameron County 4-H Council. She is an "All A Honor Roll" student, earned commended performance, and named Student Ambassador. Jordan volunteers through various projects such as coordinating an annual sock drive for homeless shelters and donating clothing, food, and toys to under privileged families. She volunteers at the Cattlemen’s Round Up, her church’s annual "Pack the Bag Project", and volunteers with the American Military Support project. She has donated stuffed animals for the Hearts Apart Campaign and coordinated food drives and bake sales for her 4-H club. Her future plans involve earning her certified veterinarian assistant certificate before graduating from high school and then attending Texas A&M University or Missouri State University veterinarian program, become part of the university’s livestock judging team, and eventually establish her veterinary practice.

Cowgirl contestants:

15. Samantha Carroll is a tenth grader at the Idea College Preparatory San Benito campus. She is 16-years-old and is the daughter of Kathryn Carroll of San Benito. Samantha is representing the Highland Hustlers 4-H Club. She has participated in the 4-H County Council’s "One Day" Project, H-E-B Feast of Sharing, and was team leader on the "Help a Family" Christmas engineering project. She is on her student advisory council and was the co-play writer for theater arts. She was selected "Student of the Year" in both English and history at her school and was on the "A/B Honor Roll" as well as having earned commended performance recognition. She began her own mini-photography business as is part of the Care Pep Talker group. She enjoys being part of the 4-H and all its activities and opportunities found in the organization. Her future plans include attending Texas A&M University College Station, pursue a degree in veterinary medicine, as well as open her own photography studio and design her own heifer halters.

16. Cassidy Fitting is a ninth grader at Harlingen South High School. She is 14-years old and is the daughter of Larry Fitting from Harlingen. Cassidy is representing the Arroyo 4-H Club in which she serves as president and past vice-president and treasurer as well as a council delegate. She has supported her community through her delivering of food for the needy at Christmas, distributing turkey baskets at Thanksgiving, and serving at the Loaves & Fishes as well as donating to Toys for Tots. She was part of the Calvary Christian Lady Warriors and league champion for a consecutive three years. She enjoys showing animals all around the state of Texas and meeting other exhibitors. Her plans are to graduate in the Top 10% of her class and then attend Texas A&M University to obtain either a medical or veterinarian degree. Eventually, her plans do include returning to her community and volunteering her time in her 4-H club.

17. Maranda Gracia, more familiarly known as "Mandy" is an eleventh grader at Harlingen High School. She is 16-years-old and is the daughter of Yolanda Gracia from Harlingen. She is representing the Harlingen FFA Chapter. Mandy was named co-leader in Girl Scouts and is part of the student council. She is on the "A/B Honor Roll" and earned second place in FFA creed speaking. She participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and the People to People Student Ambassador Program. She volunteers at her church with her FFA and with the Ronald McDonald House. Mandy appreciates the foundation and leadership skills she has earned through FFA and plans on graduating high school with an Associate of Arts degree. Then she plans to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon.

18. Beatriz Ibarra is an eleventh grade student at Rio Hondo High School. She is 16-years-old and is the daughter of Elcira Ibarra from Harlingen. Beatriz is representing the Rio Hondo FFA Chapter. She is the Tip-O-Texas district FFA treasurer, president of her school’s FCCLA and the class of 2013. She is the president and founder of "Being Above It" and has participated in the past state FFA conventions in Teas, and has attended the GOLD Youth Leadership Seminar in San Antonio. She is a UIL Number Sense regional qualifier and has earned places in district UIL number sense, mathematics and computer applications. She volunteers at Valley Baptist Medical Center and enjoys being part of the opportunities gained in FFA. Her future plans include being a Texas FFA state officer and attending either Texas Tech or Birbeck University to become a wind-energy engineer. After earning her Ph.D, she hopes to teach college calculus and contribute to society.

19. Madeline Stephens is a tenth grader at Los Fresnos High School. She is 16-years-old and the daughter of Bob and Myliss Parker from San Benito. Madeline is representing the Los Fresnos FFA Chapter where she currently serves as reporter and was the junior FFA vice president. Madeline has been a member of FFA for the past eight years and has competed in livestock show judging, leadership and career development events and also competes on her FFA public speaking and quiz teams. Madeline is in the top 10 percent of her sophomore class and has been on the "A Honor Roll" since kindergarten. Madeline won first place in junior prepared public speaking at the Tip-O-Tex FFA district competition and advanced to third place at the Area Ten FFA competition. As part of the quiz team, she won first place at district and placed seventh at Area Ten competition. Madeline belongs to Valley Praise Church and has donated school supplies and emergency response packs for mission projects. She volunteers in holiday food and gift drives and enjoys delivering the items to needy families. She actively participates in Ag Barn Clean Up days as well as the local livestock show preparations. Madeline’s long experience with FFA and livestock shows has taught her not only to show animals but how to enjoy working with students of all ages towards a common goal. Madeline’s future plans include attending Texas A&M University and majoring in acccounting.

20. Cassandra Villarreal, who prefers to be known as "Cassie", is a tenth grade student at Harlingen South High School. She is 15-years-old and is the daughter of Alberto and Becky Villarreal from Rancho Viejo. Cassie is representing Highland Hustlers 4-H where she serves as third vice-president and a past fourth vice-president. Cassie placed first in District 12 livestock judging and also earned first place in food and nutrition competition. In both events she advanced to the regional competition. She is in the Top 10 percent of her sophomore class and is ranked number 27 out of 520 students. She a second-year member of the Southern Stars Drill Team and was recognized by the Texas Academy of Math & Science for academic excellence. She has volunteered at the St. Anthony’s Fall Festival and at summer bible school. Cassie also participates in the San Benito-Rangerville Beef Syndicate and raised money for cancer awareness and the Ronald McDonald House. Cassie has recognized that commitment to an organization is important and has gained self-confidence through presentations and competitions. She aspires to win grand champion with her lamb while still competing. Her future plans include attending Texas A&M University and majoring in animal science. She then wants to complete veterinary school in order to start a veterinary business and contribute to a 4-H club in her community.

21. Elicia Danielle Villarreal, is better recognized as "Danielle". She is a ninth grade student at Rio Hondo High School. She is 14-years-old and is the daughter of Leslie Villarreal from Lozano. Danielle is representing Deep River 4-H Club. Danielle has participated in her community events such as "Sock Drives" for the homeless and adopting a needy family for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. She has received academic awards such as the "A and the A/B Honor Rolls" as well as individual reading awards. Danielle is also an active member in her school cross-country and track athletic teams. Danielle’s concern for livestock brought her to join her 4-H club and she appreciates it all. Her future plans include attending Baylor University to study medicine.

22. Ashley Wallace is an eleventh grade student at Harlingen South High School. She is 16-years-old and is the daughter of Fred and Jeanette Wallace from Harlingen. Ashley is representing Town and Country 4-H Club where she has served as secretary, president and county delegate. She also served as reporter, health & safety officer and alternative voting delegate for the Cameron County District 4-H Council. She is a member of the First Baptist Church Youth Praise and is a worship team Leader where she has supported numerous church activities and projects such as vacation bible school, champs camp volunteer, fall and family festivals and Indian Hills Children’s Outreach volunteers. Ashley is a member of the Harlingen South Hawk Band where she is drum majorette and plays the bassoon. She is also a member of the jazz band and mariachi-performing group. Ashley is in the Top 10 percent of her class and is currently ranked number 15. She is the recipient of numerous band and musical honors as well as having livestock show success with her market and breeder rabbits, and her participation for rabbit showmanship competition. Ashley’s recognizes the competition skills she has obtained through participating in livestock shows and appreciates representing and serving her community. Her future plans include attending Baylor University to major in music competition and music performance and continuing to use her musical talent in preparation for attendance at the Truett Theological Seminary.