2020 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Candidates

Program Overview
FAQ
Schedule of Events
Enrollment Form
Benefiting Org Agreement
Resources & Program Materials
During the 2019-2020 Fiesta season, the Fiesta Especial® Royal Court will represent Fiesta Especial® in the community demonstrating to others the abilities of all individuals to achieve their dreams...bringing visibility to the leadership and contributions individuals with disabilities make in our community each day.

The Fiesta Especial® Royal Court program is a leadership and life skills development program for individuals with all types of cognitive, physical and sensory disabilities.

Campaigns officially begin on Saturday, September 6th, 2019 at 12:01 AM. You're invited to click on the Candidate's Name below to make a donation to his/her campaign as they register for the program.
2020 Page, Alexandra Ayala
Age:  13
Raised: $749.93
​Benefiting Charity: Fiesta Especial Celebration Day
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: has elected to have 100% of her campaign go to help underwrite the costs of special education classes in and around San Antonio to attend Fiesta Especial Celebration Day, a one day community instruction program during Fiesta.
Alexandra likes to see people smile and will always try her best to get you to smile! She loves to dance and wants to continue to learn more. Alexandra loves to wave to people and make new friends no matter how different they are. Alexandra likes to help people and takes a stand against bullying.  Alexandra is on the A & B Honor Roll at Sam Rayburn Middle School. 
When asked why she wanted to serve on the 2020 court, she replied "I want to have fun and to make new friends. I've always wanted to be a princess! I'm ready to face this challenge although it will be tough."​​
2020 Duke, Caleb Gonzales
Age:  13
Raised: $772.49
​Benefiting Charity: Fiesta Especial Celebration Day
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Caleb has elected to have 100% of her campaign go to help underwrite the costs of special education classes in and around San Antonio to attend Fiesta Especial Celebration Day, a one day community instruction program during Fiesta.  When asked why he wants to participate Caleb said he wants to dress nicely and he wants to bring awareness to his community and be an advocate for people with disabilities.​
2020 Queen, Anna Smedley
Age:  16
​Raised: $14,224.46
​Benefiting Charity: The Kabuki Gathering
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY:   Anna is a role model for all the younger children that have Kabuki Syndrome.  She loves to encourage them and lead by example.  She shows them that anything is possible if you believe.  She works hard on mastering new challenges. Kabuki Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. Children/adults affected by Kabuki experience a variety of symptoms which may include: mild to moderate intellectual impairment, growth retardation, low muscle tone, feeding difficulties, heart defects, cleft palate, skeletal abnormalities, communication delays and distinctive behaviors. Kabuki Syndrome affects each individual differently.
When asked why she wanted to serve on the 2020 court, she replied “To spread awareness about Kabuki Syndrome, visit schools and wear beautiful dresses.” ​Anna is fearless in her approach to life and new experiences.  She is a roll model for all young people with her appreciation of the world and people in it. Everyone she meets is a new friend to her.  Anna is a trifecta: beautiful mind; body and soul. 
2020 Duchess, Rachel Farias  
Age:  48
Raised: $3,936.06
​Benefiting Charity: Kinetic Kids
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Rachel has selected Kinetic Kids as her benefiting organization. Kinetic Kids are children from all walks of life who experience the daily struggles of life-long challenges. These children have the desire to perform age-appropriate recreational and sports activities like their typically developing peers.

​In 2014 Rachel was awarded the Texas Advocates Employee of the Year at their annual convention. She loves to meet new people and likes telling them about all the things she has done.
​When asked why she wanted to participate in the royal court she said she said “I like to dress up and wear lots of bling! It will be fun to be in the royal count and to meet new friends. Fiesta is lots of fun!”
2020 King, Jaiden Rangel
Age:  10
Raised: $5,783.29
​Benefiting Charity: Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Jaiden has selected Sunshine Cottage as his benefiting organization.  At Sunshine Cottage, children with hearing loss become part of a community centered on enriching lives and improving listening, language and speech. Every child is embraced by their dedicated staff and provided with the necessary skills to learn in a rich auditory-oral environment. 
Jaiden loves to help others and give back to the community. He is kind and respectful and is learning about the ways of the world and what he can do to help. ​He likes to help with the kid ​center at church, and help
​mom and dad with medal events and giving back to our community. He enjoys drawing, making short films, movie posters and comic books. Jaiden can be shy but is also very outgoing, loves to dance and help with his family including his pets at home.
 
When Asked why he wants to participate Jaiden said he hopes to grow and learn from this experience with a takeaway of raising awareness in the community and gaining confidence.  We are all looking forward to seeing him blossom through the Fiesta Especial Court.
2020 Princess, Cambria Johnson 
Raised: $4,098.53
Age:  11
​Benefiting Charity: Kinetic Kids
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Cambria has selected Kinetic Kids as her benefiting organization. Kinetic Kids are children from all walks of life who experience the daily struggles of life-long challenges. These children have the desire to perform age-appropriate recreational and sports activities like their typically developing peers.
​Cambria has had a great LOVE for everything Fiesta for several years. She believes everyday can be "Fiesta"! At school she is known for her fondness of Fiesta and wears what she considers her "Fiesta dresses" all year long, she is also known for her beautiful singing voice and her friendly personality! Everyone is "Special" and deserves a friend, and she is a wonderful friend to everyone she meets.
​
When asked why she wanted to participate in the royal court she said she loves the spirit, colors, music and unity Fiesta brings! ! She also wants to spread awareness about Turner Syndrome and how it may make some things challenging it also makes her very special! 
2020 Marquess, Raquel​ Whitmire 
Raised: $3,842.28
Age:  17
​Benefiting Charity: Family Service Assoc. Elderly & Disability Services
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Raquel has been involved in Fiesta festivities for several years.  She is currently the 2019-2020 Princess for the San Antonio Lutheran Coronation and proudly represents them at many events and parades. At these events, she has made valuable relationships with key individuals in the community who are involved with other organizations. She strives to be a good and kind leader to her fellow court members and is excited for the opportunity to represent the Fiesta Especial organization and all that it embodies
When asked why she wanted to participate in the Fiesta Especial Royal Court Program Raquel said “I would like to participate in the Fiesta Especial Royal Court Program because I see the value it adds to those with disabilities and believe it could also add value to me. I believe Fiesta Especial will allow me the opportunity to grow my skills to become even more comfortable in social settings. Also, I believe the various tasks, such as planning and raising funds, will help me to learn other skills that are important for my future growth.”
2020 Baroness, Carla Starks 
Raised: $951.75
​Age: 48 
​Benefiting Charity: Morgans Wonderland
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Carla has chosen Morgan’s Wonderland for her benefiting organization.  Morgan's Wonderland is a place that provides opportunities for guests with and without disabilities to learn and play with one another. They have welcomed guests from all 50 states and 74 countries. It is a place where everyone can be included.  ​​Carla loves fishing, bowling, as well as track and field wheelchair sports.
​
 When asked why she wanted to be part of the Fiesta Especial Royal Court Carla said she wanted to be more active in my community to educate the community about people with disabilities. 
2020 Prince, Isaac Garza 
Raised: $1,160.76
​Age: 15
​Benefiting Charity: Autism Treatment Center
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Isaac has chosen the Autism Treatment Center of San Antonio as his benefiting organization.  The mission of the Autism Treatment Center (ATC) is to assist people with autism and related disorders throughout their lives as they learn, play, work and live in the community. 
​
​
​Isaac has a brother that is an alumni member, Isaac was in awe when he saw how much growth and fun Nathaniel had, so he knew he wanted to be a part of the court too.  He wants to be a leader just like his brother Nathan.  He is showing signs of continuous growth and his family expects the program will encourage him that much more!
​
2020 Countess, Queenie Moore 
Raised: 2,875.35
​Age:  11
​Benefiting Charity: Kinetic Kids
​
HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Queenie has chosen Kinetic Kids as her benefiting organization.  The goal of Kinetic Kids is to help kids with special needs make dreams come true.  By providing sports and recreation programs not typically available to children with special needs, Kinetic Kids intends to foster the development of courage, self-esteem, pride and joy so these children can achieve new possibilities previously unimaginable.
​
​
​Queenie is a returning court member.  When she was asked why she would like to be a part of the Fiesta Especial Royal court again she said “For FUN!” Queenie is a social butterfly. She does not know a stranger and makes friends wherever she goes. She is kind and loving. She lives to help whenever she can. ​
​
List your candidate's name in "Note To Merchant" section of checkout.
CAMPAIGNS BEGIN 9/7/2019.
Purchase your tickets to the 
September 29th, 2019
Campaign Kick-off below.
Get your sneak peek at the 2020 Royal Court at the Reveal Party on December 8th, 2019.  Purchase your tickets below.