By Megan Wehring
HAYS COUNTY - The Hays County Commissioners Court adopted several proclamations during its meeting on Tuesday, June 7 (photos courtesy of Hays County).
Commissioners adopted a proclamation declaring June 7 as Lehman High School Lady Lobos State Champions Day and recognized the Powerlifting Individual State Champions. This is the school's second straight state championship in powerlifting. The LHS powerlifting team is comprised of 10 members and coached by Fred Rodriguez.
The court also recognized the winners of the Hays County Historical Commission 2022 Juneteenth Essay Contest: Stephanie Murray (high school winner) and Neveah Veals (middle school winner).
The contest was coordinated by the African American Heritage Committee of the Hays County Historical Commission with a vision of promoting critical thinking, research, written communication and verbal engagement. This essay contest was intended to motivate students to explore their city, county, state and country. Students entered in the contest wrote an essay to express their perspective of the 2022 essay theme: Why is the Celebration of Juneteenth Important in the History of Texas?
Lastly, the commissioners court voted to proclaim a month-long Celebration of Juneteenth.
The 19th Day of June -- or Juneteenth -- became a day of jubilation and liberation for Texas slaves, and today is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in our nation. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, a month marked with celebrations, presentations, cookoffs, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. In cities across the country, people of all cultures, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.
Several countywide events are taking place this month in celebration:
June 11 – City of Kyle / Kyle Market Days Juneteenth Celebration at Mary Kyle Hartson Park
June 17 – Annual Rose Brooks Cake Auction at San Marcos Activity Center at 6 p.m.
June 17 – BBQ Cook-off; 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. at Plaza Park in San Marcos
June 18 – Unity Walk, 8:30 a.m. Begins at LBJ Crossroads Memorial and ends at the Dunbar Center
June 18 – 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Plaza Park in San Marcos
June 18 and 20 - public viewing of African American photographs at the LBJ Museum
June 18 – Lecture and book signing by Dr. Daina Ramey Berry at the Calaboose African American History Museum in San Marcos from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
June 18 – City of Buda Juneteenth Celebration 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Buda Amphitheater & City Park
June 19 – “Fathers, Family, and Freedom”; this is a community Juneteenth Celebration honoring Fathers 2-7 p.m. at Dunbar Park in San Marcos
