2025 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Pageant Royalty Crowned, BBQ Cook-Off and Cabalgata Trail Ride Next on January 17-18th
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
The 2025 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale (MCJLS) kicked-off with the glamorous Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Pageant on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Zan Matthies Showbarn in Eagle Pass, Texas with about 50 young ladies and boys competing for one of the coveted award categories amidst a thundering audience of over 1,000 people.
Under the direction of Brandi Villarreal, Pageant Director, the 2025 MCJLS Pageant was an outstanding success as 22 awards were bestowed upon the lovely and beautiful participants.
Once again this year, the Mistress of Ceremonies for the MCJLS Pageant was the lovely and talented Daniella Byrne, a volunteer from the Eagle Pass Independent School District.
The Tiny Mr. MCJLS King (age 0-1) was Gael Galvan, while Tiny Mr. Western King was Axel Cortez.
The Tiny Miss MCJLS Queen (age 0-1) was Madison Lee Vela, and Tiny Miss Western Queen was Aria Nicole Soto, Princess was Anacamila Montoya, and Duchess was Kinsley Mae Fuentes.
The Toddler Mr. MCJLS King (age 2-3) was Eleazar Cardenas, while the Toddler Mr. Western King was Chozen Ledoux.
The Toddler Miss MCJLS Queen (age 2-3) was Olivia Rios, and Miss Toddler Western Queen was Lily Kelly and Princess was Gianna Escalante.
The Little Mr. MCJLS King (age 4-6) was Joseangel Montoya, and Mr. Little Western King was Damaso Rodriguez.
The Little Miss MCJLS Queen (age 4-6) was Klarissa Carrazco, while Little Miss Western Queen was Camila Carrasco, Princess was Alexandra Antu, and Duchess was Eillish Gaffney.
In the Junior Mr. MCJLS King category (age 7-9), Elias Rodriguez was named King. For Junior Mr. Western King category (age 7-9) Emilio Vargas was named King.
In the Junior Miss MCJLS Queen category (age 7-9), Arianna Chapa was named Queen. For Junior Miss Western Queen category (age 7-9), Odalys Castillo was named Queen, Princess was Kamila Delgado, and Duchess was River Blanchard.
In the Pre-Teen Miss MCJLS Queen category (age 10-12), Isabella Gutierrez was named Queen. For Pre-Teen Miss Western Queen category (age 7-9), Kayleen Chuey was named Queen, Princess was Chloe Renee Rodriguez, and Duchess was Caroline Gaffney.
In the Teen Miss MCJLS Queen category (age 13-15), Salma Valdez was named Queen. For Teen Miss Western Queen category (age 13-15), Rylee Gloria was named Queen, Princess was Julivette Vargas, and Duchess was Emily Benavides.
In the Miss MCJLS Queen category (age 16-19), Natalee Martinez was named Queen. For Miss Western Queen category (age 16-19), Melannie Martinez was named Queen, Princess was Katlynn Lopez, and Duchess was Austin Perez.
The participants selected among themselves as Miss Amity, Katlynn Lopez, while the Pageant judges selected as Miss Photogenic, Melannie Martinez.
The 2025 MCJLS continues this week with its Third Annual MCJLS Cookoff State Championship on Friday-Saturday, January 17-18, 2025 at the Zan Matthies Showbarn in Eagle Pass, Texas, awarding a guaranteed payout of $5,000. The BBQ Cookoff categories include Main Meats: Brisket, Ribs, and Chicken; Jackpot categories in Margarita, Rib-Eye, and Beans. There are three overall competition level categories: Main Meat Category, Jackpot Categories, and High School Category. For more information on how to register or participate the BBQ Cookoff, please contact Amado Esqueda at (830) 968-0076.
Also on Saturday, January 18, 2025 is the MCJLS Cabalgata Trail Ride at 10 a.m. at the Zan Matthies Showbarn at the Maverick County Lake in Eagle Pass, Texas. All participating horses or mules must have a negative Coggins Test. For more information to participate in the Cabalgata Trail Ride, please contact RJ Martinez at (830) 335-7888.
Following the BBQ Cookoff and the Cabalgata Trail Ride, the next 2025 MCJLS event is the famous 11th Annual Jesus “Chuy” Sanchez Memorial Cowboy Breakfast on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 7 a.m. at the Zan Matthies Showbarn at the Maverick County Lake in Eagle Pass, Texas. Pre-Sale tickets are $10 at the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce and Door Tickets are going to be $15. Music, entertainment, door prizes and gifts, and a traditional Texas-style Cowboy Breakfast will be available to all who purchase a ticket of admission. All proceeds go to the MCJLS.
The 2025 MCJLS opens Wednesday, January 22, 2025 and runs through Saturday, January 25, 2025 with many fun-filled activities and competitions, including the judging of the grand and reserve champion market steer, lamb, goat, swine, rabbit, and much more, The most important event of the 2025 MCJLS is the Auction Sale of the animals for the benefit of all the student exhibitors.
The 2025 MCJLS closes with a boot scoot-in Western Dance on Saturday, January 25th at 8 p.m. at the International Center for Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive, in Eagle Pass, Texas with a live country and western band.
The 2025 MCJLS is dedicated to Adan Ortiz of Brown Chevrolet GMC Buick and Rodney Winn of Ancira Ford Jeep Chrysler, two individuals and business managers who are ardent supporters of the youth of Maverick County and the MCJLS for many years now. Both Ortiz and Winn have made extraordinary contributions to the success of the MCJLS during their tenure in Eagle Pass, benefitting thousands of young 4-H and FFA student members obtain an education.
