Five area girls have been selected to represent the 2018 Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo (DSFR) at the upcoming July 27-29th event. Organizers have announced that Caitlyn Alderson will reign as the 2018 DSFR Queen. Alderson will be joined by a Queen’s Court including Rylee Kirkey and Rebeca Alba. The princesses will be Rayne Mendez and Allee Kirkey.
The scoring was based on an application and interview process. Applicants for the Queen and Queen’s Court had to be high school students and the princesses had to be middle school students. All candidates were required to be a member of 4-H Club or FFA Club in Hays County.
Caitlyn Alderson
The 2018 DSFR Queen Caitlyn Alderson is a high school student and very active in Dripping Springs FFA and 4-H Club. Serious about her studies and future career goals, she is a member of the National Honor Society. Alderson says she enjoys hiking, sand volleyball, livestock judging, and showing goats and pigs. After high school, she is hoping to attend Texas A&M and study Animal Science.
Rylee Kirkey
High school student Rylee Kirkey has participated and volunteered countless hours of her time with the FFA, 4-H Club, and Ag Boosters. She is also a member of her school’s Color Guard, works part-time with children, and enjoys showing livestock. After graduation, Rylee says she will begin her studies at Austin Community College and then ultimately plans to transfer to University of North Texas to study Accounting.
Rebecca Alba
Rebecca Alba is a high school student and actively involved in FFA and Girl Scouts. She works part-time at a local eatery, enjoys art and especially drawing, and loves showing steers. Alba’s future plans include going to college and studying marine biology.
Allee Kirkey
Allee Kirkey has donated hundreds of volunteer hours to DS Ag Boosters, 4-H, FFA, Hill Country Care, and the Dr. Joseph Historical Farmstead Museum. A middle school student, Kirkey enjoys hunting, fishing, riding ATVs, showing goats and making new friends. Her future plans are to begin her college studies at Blinn College and then transfer to Texas A&M for a career in Agriculture.
Rayne Mendez
Rayne Mendez is a middle school student and actively involved in Dripping Springs 4-H Club, Hays County 4-H Shooting Sports, Dripping Springs Tiger Splash Swim Team, Basketball Club, and Band. Rayne has been recognized by Duke University Talent Identification Program for her academic performance. She won Grand Reserve in Junior Photography at the 2017 Hays County Livestock Show and Expo last year. Aside from excelling in school, Rayne is a farm sitter that cares for pigs, goats, ducks, chickens and pets.
Businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in Dripping Springs’ western heritage and Dripping Springs Ag Boosters’ charitable mission to assist FFA and 4-H area students should contact the Dripping Springs City Hall at 512-858-4725 or go online to www.drippingspringsfairandrodeo.com for more information.
ABOUT DSFR – The 7th Annual DSFR, July 27-29th at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center, will include rodeo action, live entertainment, a steer show, a Mutton Bustin’ Shootout, free Cowboy Breakfast, kids activities, good food and drinks and family fun.
