SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED — Pictured from left to right are, Kleberg County Judge Pete De La Garza, Cody Folmar (H.M. King High School) and Roy Eshom. The Kingsville Tri-City Retired Teachers Association awarded their annual scholarships on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 at their traditional noon luncheon held at the First Christian Church with guest speaker Margaret DeVille, TRTA District II President.

Also present was City of Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate; Elva Garcia, past president for TRTA District II; Emilio Castro, KISD Superintendent; and Juan M. Escobar, former State Representative.

Checks for $1000 were presented to Bishop High School graduate, Kastaylia Garcia and H.M. King High School graduate, Cody Folmar.

Making the presentation were Roy Eshom and Kleberg County Judge and KTC/RTA member Pete De La Garza.

The first $500 scholarship was awarded in 2002 to a spring graduate. Five other $500 scholarships have been presented through the spring of 2007.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED — Pictured from left to right are, Kleberg County Judge Pete De La Garza, Kastaylia Garcia (Bishop High School), and Roy Eshom. Funds were acquired through personal donations, silent auctions, plant sales at every meeting, and the sale of a cookbook entitled, “Cooking in Cactus Country.”

The cookbook idea came from the late Jane McNabb, and it proved to be the most successful fundraiser to date.

But the best was yet to come. In the spring of 2007 the Scholarship Committee received a sizable donation made by Roy Eshom and his wife, the late Betty Eshom.

Due to this generous donation, the Committee for the first time awarded two $1000 scholarships in the spring of 2008.

The KTC-RTA Scholarship Committee is composed of Gino Castillo, Julia A. Smith, and two new members: Norma Olivares and Amparo Quintanilla, immediate KTC-RTA past president.

Roy Eshom and Kleberg County Judge Pete De La Garza are both fund custodians and ex-officio members of the Committee.

Meetings are held at the KISD Administration Building Snack Bar at 2:30 p.m. every third Monday of the month, September through May, with no meeting in December. October is Books for Children Month. Bring a book or a donation.

The next meeting will be Monday, Oct. 19.

All retirees are invited to join us and be a part of this organization. State and local dues are $35 per year.