Cattlewomen award scholarships and
host covered dish dinner

Home cooking and award giving were the main courses at the recent Texican Cattlewomen's Annual Covered Dish Dinner. The event was held at the home of Memo and Sonia Benavides. President Norma García welcomed about 90 friends and family members, who gathered poolside to savor a variety of covered dishes brought by Cattlewomen, including homemade miniature cornbread muffins, potato salad, meatballs, vegetable casseroles, spaghetti, steak, Caesar salad, barbecued brisket, and a large assortment of desserts.
The Covered Dish tradition was established many years ago as a way for Cattlewomen to socialize with their families and friends, recognize people and organizations who have supported the club throughout the year, and honor scholarship recipients.
Each year, the Cattlewomen award several $1,000 scholarships to students from area high schools who have chosen to pursue careers that support the beef industry either directly or indirectly (veterinary medicine, nutrition, agriculture, hotel/management, culinary arts, etc.). This year, the scholarship committee -- Minita Ramirez, Felisa Eveland, Dolores Barrera, and Toni Ruiz -- selected three deserving seniors.
Cody Alan Fruge, son of Donie and Mitzi Fruge, is the 2002 Salutatorian of United South High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Who's Who Among American High School Scholars, Science Club, and Optimist Club. His academic accomplishments have earned him recognition as a National Blue Chip Scholar, National Merit Scholar, and receipent of the Presidential Award of Excellence. He cultivates his interest in animals through memberships in the L.I.F.E. Junior Board, the Texas High School Rodeo Association, and the Future Farmers of America. His numerous awards include Star Chapter Farmer, the Beef Production Award, Showmanship Award, Diversified Livestock Production Award, and several Livestock Judging Awards. He has shown heifers and steers at the Laredo International Fair and Exposition as well as at the San Antonio Stock Show, earning two Breed Champion trophies and a Reserve Champion Award. Cody plans to study Animal Science at Texas A&M University in Kingsville and go on to College Station to major in Biomedical Science.
Joel Jay Villarreal, son of Joe L. and Diana Villarreal, is a graduate of United South High School. He was member of the National Honor Society and Principle's Advisory Board, and served as treasurer, vice-president, and president of the United South Chapter of the Future Farmers of America. He has won first place recognition individually and as team captain three years in a row in the Webb County Soil and Conservation Grass Scramble and Plant Identification Contest. J. J. has shown steers, heifers, and a bull at L.I.F.E. and at the San Antonio Stock Show, where his Maine Anjou Bull was awarded Senior Calf Champion. In addition to his FFA activities, J. J. is very involved in church life as a bible studies teacher, evangelist, president of the United Pentecostal Church Youth Group, and praise and choir singer. He plans to attend Texas Bible College in Lufkin to acquire his license in ministry. He then plans to pursue a degree in Agricultural Science at Texas A&M in Kingsville with hopes of returning to Laredo to teach agriculture.
Destany Garza, daughter of Reynaldo and Sylvia Garza, is a graduate of Nixon High School, where she was a member of the President's Club, FFA, Nixon High School Hall of Fame, and F.C.C.L.A. She was also selected Homecoming Representative her senior year and graduated with high honors in the top four percent of her graduating class. She has been an exhibitor of lambs and steers for the past nine years, earning numerous awards including Reserve Grand Champion Lamb, Reserve Grand Champion Steer, Showmanship Award, Star Chapter Farmer, Star Greenhand, First Place Team in the Plant Identification Contest, High Point Individual in the Plant Identification Team, and Farm City Week Outstanding Agricultural Student. Destany plans to attend Laredo Community College and later transfer to Texas A&M University in Kingsville or College Station to pursue a degree in the field of animal nutrition.