2023 Fiesta Especial Royal Court Candidates
|
During the 2022-2023 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, August 27th, 2022 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. 
Sophia Munson, Queen (Facebook | GoFundMe)
Age: 13 Benefiting Charity: Kinetic Kids Campaign Total: $8,570.80 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Sophia has chosen Kinetic Kids as her benefitting organization. Kinetic Kids works to enrich the lives of children with special needs and their families through sports, fine arts and educational programs to foster the development of courage, confidence, fitness, pride, joy and community. Sophia is 13 years old. She was in a car accident in 2019 but before then she was raised on Fiesta! Sophia loves to talk to everyone and also loves to help others. She is never a stranger to anyone. She loves to talk to everyone that passes by and tries to include all kids and make sure they feel special. She lives and thrives on each day. Sophia loves to participate in Kinetic Kids activities. Her favorites are swimming, dance class, music theater, and drumming class. Sophia is the best example on how to strive for the best, to keep going no matter the circumstances, and that anything is possible. When asked why she wanted to serve on the 2023 court, she replied "I wants to show everyone that you can be a princess or queen in a wheelchair." 
Raj "Junior" Mulwani, King (Facebook)
Age: 16 Benefiting Charity: BossAbility Inc. Campaign Total: $4,339.94 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Raj "Junior" has chosen to support BossAbility Inc during his campiagn. BossAbility Inc. BossAbility, Inc. was created to fill a need with special need young adults and Veterans. They saw a need of helping these two very distinct groups gain employment opportunities and skills to be business owners if that is their goal. Raj "Junior" has been a role model and advocate since he was very young. Kindness has always been his platform and he strongly believes we are all super heroes and have a gift to share. He owns his own micro business Kind Note Café. He is an Artisan Roaster and uses his proceeds to help Special needs non profits. Junior has been a Philanthropist since his last campaign in 2019. He donates his proceeds in his micro business (Kind Note Cafe) to Special Needs non profits. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "We all can make a difference and be kind and inclusive like the Avenger Super heroes." 
Kathryn Ransleben, Princess (Facebook)
Age: 27 Benefiting Charity: Chromosome 18 Campaign Total: $6,151 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Kathryn has selected Chromosome 18 as her benefitting organization for her campaign. Chromosome 18's mission is to help individuals with chromosome 18 abnormalities overcome the obstacles they face, so they may lead healthy and productive lives. Their mission has three facets: building community, expanding education, and advancing research. Our shared vision is that one day, children with chromosome 18 abnormalities will have the same aspirations and achievements in life as their siblings. Kathryn is kind and loves meeting new people, especially in the special needs community. She loves to roller-skate, listen to music and make new friends. She works at Morgan's Wonderland as Sparkle the Friendship Fairy, is in their Inclusion Fusion Show Choir, and is on a special needs bowling team. Kathryn loves being a part of the Royal Court family and is returning after her reign last year as Princess. When asked why she wanted to serve on the 2023 court, she replied "Because Fiesta Especial gives those with special needs a platform to serve and to shine." 
Kullen Flores-Medrano, Prince (Facebook)
Age: 11 Benefiting Charity: Autism Treatment Center Campaign Total: $3,352.44 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Kullen's has chosen to support Autism Treatment Center as his benefitting organization. The mission of the Autism Treatment Center is to assist people with autism and related disorders throughout their lives as they learn, play, work and live in the community. Kullen is a kind, loving and advocates for those around him. He loves to volunteer and is very involved in his church. He has a big heart and love for people. He is very social and loves to make new friends. He is always willing to help others and advocates for them as well. Kullen is an ambassador for Kinetic Kids and loves participating in their activities. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "I care for everyone and want everyone to have friends. I want people to understand different abilities and let them know that everybody should feel loved." 
Monica Williams, Duchess (Facebook | GoFundMe)
Age: 39 Benefiting Charity: Southwind Fields Campaign Total: $2,692.30 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Monica has chosen to support Southwind Fields as her benefitting organization. Southwind Fields works to build a sense of community, independence and empowerment for adults with differing abilities through connection, meaningful experiences, spiritual growth, and a place to call their own. Monica wants to encourage people with disabilities to never give up on their dream and goals. She strives to always be a good role model for people with disabilities. She enjoy learning new things and giving back to community. She volunteers at her church by taking the time giving back to the community. She sometimes helps with the collecting money to help people around San Antonio. This will be Monica's 3rd year serving on the court. When asked why she wanted to serve on the 2023 court, she replied "because I want to show people with disability that you can give back to our Disability community. I also want to continue to be a good role model for people with disabilities." 
Steven Lubbering, Duke (Facebook | GoFundMe)
Age: 34 Benefiting Charity: The Arc of San Antonio Campaign Total: $2,423 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Steven has chosen The Arc of San Antonio as his benefitting organization. The Arc of San Antonio was founded in 1954 by parents who believed their children with IDD deserved more – to be included in their communities and to pursue fulfillment and happiness like everyone else. Since then, The Arc has evolved with the changing needs and issues people with disabilities and their families face. Steven is a San Antonio native who loves everything about Fiesta! He is especially fond of mariachis, Mexican food, parades and all the beautiful colors of Fiesta. Steven has a fun personality, loves everything about Fiesta and enjoys making new friends. Steven is excited to be able to be a part of the culture that Fiesta brings. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "Fiesta is the most fun!" 
Carla Starks, Marquess (Facebook | GoFundMe)
Age: 52 Benefiting Charity: Believer's Garden Campaign Total: $1,221.30 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Carla has chosen Believer's Garden as her benefiting organization for this years campaign. Believer's Garden is a part of The Special Needs Ministry at University seeks to offer a culture of belonging, dignity, and purpose across the lifespan to everyone who has cognitive and developmental disabilities, their families, and caregivers. Their community desires every person with a disability and their family to live a full life within a relationship with God and others. Carla is an advocate for people with disabilities in the community. She loves to listen to music, loves to fish and is a friend to all. Carla enjoys meeting new people, creating meaningful conversations and works to build a platform for equality. She believes that everyone should be treated as equals and be given the same opportunities. This will be her 3rd year serving on the Royal Court. She loves to spread awareness, advocate and show that people with disabilities can do anything, just like everyone else. When asked why she wanted to serve on the 2023 court, she replied "I want to participate again because I like to meet new people, and I enjoy having fun with the other court members." 
Jon Anthony Ugarte, Marquis (Facebook)
Age: 26 Benefiting Charity: Angie's Angels Foundation- Models of Courage Campaign Total: $1,394.98 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Jon has chosen to support Angie's Angels Foundation during his campaign. Angie's Angels Foundation works to help families financially and emotionally that have children fighting cancer or living with special disabilities or any other types of syndromes or diseases. Jon likes to meet new people and make new friends. He is kind, welcoming to others and always ready to help. Jon is an inspiration to others with his outgoing personality, his drive and perseverance. He is a cancer survivor and bone marrow recipient who works to inspire others to push on just as he did. Jon is an upcoming entrepreneur with his small business JB Beads. He makes bracelets to inspire others and loves to share his process. Jon is very social, loves to be in his community, enjoys the outdoors, music, dance, spending time with his family, going to church, and loves pizza. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "I want to meet new people, get out there and encourage others to include people with a disability, no matter what disability they may have. I want to create inclusion to treat everyone as equals, to show the community its ok to engage and include people with a disability." 
Raeanna Benjamin, Countess (GoFundMe)
Age: 25 Benefiting Charity: The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas Campaign Total: $1,060 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Raeanna has chosen to support The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas as her benefitting organization. The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas is empowering and supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families to access resources, engage with their community, and progress toward self-actualization. Rae is a loving, bubbly individual who loves spreading kindness and sharing her caring heart. She loves to swim, do art activities, cheer, dance and play soccer. She loves to spend time with friends and have fun! Rae is a big advocate for individuals with down syndrome. She works to spread awareness, promote inclusion and advocate. She has a big heart and passion to help others. When asked why she wanted to serve on the 2023 court, she replied "I want to be a better leader and become a princess." 
Mason Cone, Count (Facebook | GoFundMe)
Age: 17 Benefiting Charity: Fiesta Especial Campaign Total: $1,350 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Mason selected Fiesta Especial as his benefitting organization. Fiesta Especial is a unique combination of Fiesta experiences for children, adults and families of all abilities. Activities include a Royal Court, one-day carnival, Inclusion 5K and Parade. Fiesta Especial is proud to offer family-friendly, tobacco and alcohol-free experiences that are inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities and families. Mason has really grown and matured the last year, especially through the FFA program at school. He's volunteered to lead campus tours for the incoming freshmen, started driver's education online, and has become more vocal and advocating for himself. He loves to help others and share his success with FFA, and even offers to help tutor kids (like his younger brother) that need help in Math. Mason is a Sunday School teacher assistant at Immanuel Lutheran Church in LaVernia, is the LaVernia High School tennis team manager, is in the LaVernia FFA Quiz team, Land and Homesite team, raises a pig, and has earned a Lone Star degree. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "This will help me not be shy! It will be good to help me get ready for college." 
Orlando Moises Pulido, Baron
Age: 12 Benefiting Charity: CRIT San Antonio Campaign Total: $916 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Orlando has chosen to Children's Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA San Antonio as his benefitting organization. The Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) offers comprehensive rehabilitation services for children with neurological, muscular, and skeletal disabilities. CRIT recognizes that a disability requires treatment from multiple perspectives, not just traditional medical rehabilitation. Orlando is always helping others. If he sees anyone having a bad day he tries his hardest to make it better. He likes to makes people smile, is grateful for all things, and loves to make friends. Orlando is very caring and has accomplished so much in his rehabilitation. With the help of CRIT USA, he has moved from a wheelchair to a walker, loves fiesta, enjoys being out in his community and sharing the love he feels in San Antonio. He loves Minecraft, Roblox and playing soccer. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "I want to meet new people in my community." 
Timothy Durso, Knight (Facebook | GoFundMe)
Age: 11 Benefiting Charity: Kinetic Kids Campaign Total: $888 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Timothy has chosen Kinetic Kids as his benefitting organization. Kinetic Kids works to enrich the lives of children with special needs and their families through sports, fine arts and educational programs to foster the development of courage, confidence, fitness, pride, joy and community. Timothy is a cheerful, enthusiastic child who loves everyone he meets. He loves talking to people and helping whenever he can. He has helped his mom with her reign as Ms. Wheelchair Texas, and understands that life with a disability is not a negative, it’s just learning how to make the world work for different abilities. Timothy loves helping at his church and at disability events. He enjoys baseball, swimming, reading, and starting violin this year. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "I love people, and I love talking about life with a disability." 
Angeleyes Rojas, Lord (Facebook| GoFundMe)
Age: 23 Benefiting Charity: SA Life Academy Campaign Total: $655 HOW CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY: Angeleyes has chosen to support SA Life Academy as his benefitting organization. SA Life Academy is a day program that provides exceptional continuing education opportunities aimed at helping adults with special needs live full and active lives. SA Life Academy offers a high level of community integration through volunteerism, educational and recreational community outings. Through these outings, SA Life Academy students experience the world with friends and give back to the local community. Angeleyes loves being around people, making new friends and showing the world anything is possible. He is always friendly to everyone he meets. He can be shy at first, but once you get to know him he is full of energy and love. He loves to dance, have fun and enjoys music. When asked why he wanted to serve on the 2023 court, he replied "I want to be a king, meet new people and be more social." |
List your candidate's name in "Note To Merchant"
section of checkout. CAMPAIGNS BEGIN 8/27/2022. Purchase your tickets to the
September 11th, 2022 Campaign Kick-off below. Get your sneak peek at the 2023 Royal Court at the Reveal Party on December 4th, 2022. Purchase your tickets below.
|
