The 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court
Presented at a Coronation on February 16, 2013

“We’re breaking new ground for inclusion in the community… it’s a very important step in a wonderful direction.” says Melanie Cawthon, lead planning coordinator for the Fiesta Especial® and Director of Marketing and Resource Development for Reaching Maximum Independence, Inc.

The 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court is made up of 9 individuals representing 5 organizations that serve children and/or adults with disabilities.  These 9 individuals will represent Fiesta Especial® in the community throughout the Fiesta® season demonstrating to others the abilities of all individuals to achieve their dreams.

The 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court raised over $16,500 for programs and services that benefit children and adults with disabilities in San Antonio.  We couldn't be more proud to be associated with such fine individuals!

Fiesta Especial® King & Queen
Tristan and Chelsea raised $9,910 for children and adults with disabilities!

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Tristan Gentry, Age: 16, Representing Clark H.S. Friends Having Fun Club
Raised $7,980, Will serve as King on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Tristan is a proud Freshman at Clark H.S. in the Northside ISD.  He has been in NISD since elementary school.  He is in the ALE/Specialized Instruction class at Clark and is a proud member of the Friends Having Fun Club.  Tristan is one student who is known by many at school.  He has many friends due to his outgoing personality and awesome dance moves.  Tristan has been featured in the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas calendar and participates in numerous organizational events.  He's will be a natural in his role as King for Fiesta Especial®.
When asked about his feelings toward his candidacy this year, Tristan responded "Let's Dance!"

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Chelsea Figueroa, Age: 16, Representing Clark H.S. Friends Having Fun Club
Raised $1,930, Will serve as Queen on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Chelsea is a proud Sophomore at Clark H.S. in the ALE program and maintains an A/B average in all of her classes.  She is very active in extra curricular activities and her favorite hobbies include singing and dancing.  This year, she successfully auditioned for the 2012 Clark Talent Show and is a member of the Pep Squad, performing at football, volleyball and basketball games.  She received the "Pepper of the Week" award for her Cougar spirit and hard work on the team.  Outside of school, Chelsea is involved with the San Antonio Dance Academy, Kinetic Kinds Cheerleaders, Above and Beyond Gymnastics.  Chelsea enjoys public speaking and raises awareness for inclusion everywhere she goes.  She will be a natural in her role as Queen for Fiesta Especial®.
When asked about her feelings toward her candidacy this year, Chelsea responded "I am proud to be a Clark Cougar and I am full of pep!  Go Cougars!"

Fiesta Especial® Prince & Princess
Damian and Jolene raised $1,791.08 for children and adults with disabilities!

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Damian Perry, Age: 7, Representing Alliance of Pediatric Providers of SA
Raised $835, Will serve as Prince on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Damian is one of the sweetest boys you will ever meet.  He is friendly, outgoing and never afraid to try something new.  He does not let his disability slow him down.  He participates in lots of activities.  Watch out...his smile will melt your heart!
When asked about his feelings toward his candidacy this year, Damian responded "I can do anything!"

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Jolene Martin, Age: 2, Representing Alliance of Pediatric Providers of SA
Raised $956, Will serve as Princess on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Jolene is a little 2 year old spitfire.  She loves meeting new people and talking with everyone that will speak with her.  She loves learning new names and will just talk your ear off if you let her.  Jolene loves being active and will dance to all sorts of music. 

Fiesta Especial® Duke & Duchess
Gabe and Lizzy raised $2,844 for children and adults with disabilities!

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Gabriel "Gabe" Hey, Age: 18, Representing Monarch Academy
Raised $1,322, Will serve as Duke on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Gabriel is a high school student at Monarch Academy.  His in an active 18 yr old who is very much involved in the community.  Gabriel attends Community Bible Church where he dances Hip Hop and leads worship with Puresound, the high school choir.  Gabe enjoys sports of any kind, but especially loves to play baseball and soccer in the spring and fall. In his leisure time, Gabe enjoys watching musicals, dancing and dreaming about his next visit to Disney World.  He loves spending time with his family and friends and loves the lord with all his heart!  Gabe was named the 2012 Fiesta Especial® Duke having raised $468 for children and adults with disabilities last year.  Fiesta Especial® is honored to have his return service on the court as Gabe is a charismatic individual, representing everything Fiesta Especial® stands for.

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Elizabeth "Lizzy" Oveland, Age: 17, Representing Monarch Academy
Raised $1,522, Will serve as Duchess on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Lizzy is a 17 year old student at Monarch Academy at Morgan's Wonderland.  She enjoys playing on the NE Special Olympics Soccer Team along with many of her friends from school.  Lizzy likes to attend Spurs games and have sleep-overs!  Her favorite subject in school is math.  She has ambitions to work for HEB as she enjoys being around lots of people.  Lizzy was named the 2012 Fiesta Especial® Duchess having raised $1,012 for children and adults with disabilities last year.  Fiesta Especial® is honored to have her return service on the court as Lizzy is a dynamic young woman who smiles in the face of exhaustion and keeps on going with her royal duties. 
When asked about her feelings toward her candidacy this year, Lizzy responded "I can do it!"

Fiesta Especial® Pages
Amir, Destiney and Gabriela raised $1,972 for children and adults with disabilities!

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Amir Merrill, Age: 8, Representing Converse Elementary Special Ed.
Raised $482, Will serve as Page on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Amir is in the 2nd grade at Converse Elementary.  He really enjoys science class and listening to music.

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Destiney Tavera, Age: 9, Representing Converse Elementary Special Ed.
Raised $482, Will serve as Page on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
Destiney is in the 4th grade at Converse Elementary.  She enjoys time with her friends in class.  They crack her up!!!

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Gabriela Martinez, Age: 10, Representing Down Syndrome Association
Raised $1,099, Will serve as Page on the 2013 Fiesta Especial® Royal Court
October 19, 2002 was the day that Gabriela made her grand entrance into the world.  With her spirited personality, it was not long before this beautiful child struck a chord in the heart strings of many. Gabriela, now 10 years old, is truly a happy-go-lucky kid.  Her love of music knows no limits and she takes great joy in dancing to all the latest and greatest hit songs.  She loves the outdoors very much and enjoys such hobbies as bike riding, trampoline jumping and playing on her swing set.   If you ask Gabriela about her friends, she’ll eagerly tell you about them and she will be quick to tell you that her Grandpa is her best friend.  You can usually find the two of them getting into some sort of trouble together. 

Gabriela is a unique and determined individual.  With her happy, unwavering personality, she strives to be as independent as possible and is determined to leave her mark on the world.
When asked about her feelings toward her candidacy this year, Gabriela responded, "I can do it! I can do anything and be anything I want to be in this world. I am me and no one can stop me!"

2013 Committee

Cynthia Hamilton, Chair
Sherri Cherry
Shari Chu
Debbie Oveland
Stephanie West
Royal Sponsors
The Lighthouse for the Blind
Pfashionthropic and Cynthia Hamilton
Maggie and Gordon Hartman
Gold Buying Girl Fundraiser
Heights Tuxedo
Dallia's Hair & Nail Studio
Mustang Cinema Club of Thomas Jefferson High School
and the
TMI students and Monarch Academy,
hosts for the 2013 Coronation at the
Hand-in-Hand Runway Event

2013 Royal Appearances

03-02: Bark in the Park
03-06: Fiesta Media Day
03-07: Fiesta Teen Queen Event
03-18: ITC Medal Exhibit Opening
03-18: 1005 Faces Photo Shoot
03-20: Fiesta Poster Unveiling
03-22: KABB TV Appearance
03-22: School Visit Day
03-23: Foundation School Carnival
03-23: Royal Court Meet & Greet
03-28: San Antonio Rampage Game
04-05: School Visit Day
04-07: Siclovia
04-07: Fiesta Teen Queen Coronat.
04-12: Brauchle Elementary Event
04-17: SA Living TV Appearance
04-18: Fiesta Pin Pandemonium
04-18: Fiesta Fiesta Parade
04-19: Fiesta Especial Shoebox
04-20: Fiesta Especial Parade
04-20: Miss Helotes Pageant
04-21: Funday Sunday Parade
04-24: Taste of the Northside
04-25: Legend Oaks Healthcare
04-25: SA Area Foundation
04-26: Battle of Flowers Parade
04-28: Wildflower Bike Ride
05-03: Special Needs Rodeo
07-04: City of Windcrest Parade
"Excellent experience for our special needs royal court in improving communication skills, planning, patience, the importance of fulfilling commitments, genuine acceptance and a sense of role modeling for others. I could go on and on!!!" - 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Parent

“We had quite a few individuals come up to our court members and want their pictures taken.  They inquired about the organization and how they could help. There were some that just wanted to dance with them and have a good time. We even had one man tell us that ‘they were the best thing they had seen all night.’” - 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Parent

“I believe that having individuals with disabilities more visible in our community, especially at events that are so popular in our community brings awareness and acceptance.”- 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Supporter

“Excellent opportunity for the members of the Royal Court to learn and the community to learn about how individuals with special needs can contribute! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” - 2013 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Parent