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| Michael Carrrizales, Texas Exes
Corpus Christi Chairman and President addresses the membership in attendance. |
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| Lynn Giddings and Brooks
Kieschnick share a conversation before the program begins. |
Texas Exes Welcome Kieschnick
2006
Awards Banquet a major success
by
Nicole Cunningham (paraphrased by Cassandra Hinojosa for Corpus Christi
Caller~Times)
June 11, 2006
The University
of Texas baseball player Brooks
Kieschnick was the keynote speaker for the annual Texas
Exes Corpus Christi Awards
Banquet on June 1 at King's Crossing Golf & Country Club.
The
Corpus Christi native recently was named to the inaugural class of the
NCAA College Baseball Hall of Fame.
The
event kicked off with cocktails and was followed by a dinner and a silent
auction.
Barry O'Neal, Vice
President - Events, introduced Michael Carrizales, Chairman and
President, who got the program started by addressing the members and
discussing plans for the upcoming 2006 - 2007 year.
Larry
Olivarez, Jr. introduced special guest Hector Salinas, Texas
A&M University - Corpus Christi baseball coach, who spoke on coaching
today's collegiate athletes.
J.J.
Gottsch, Corpus Christi Hooks President, introduced Brooks who spoke
to the crowd about his cherished experiences growing up in Corpus Christi
and attending The
University of Texas.
Richard
Durham introduced David Bridges, retiring Senior Director and
Vice President - Communication. David was honored for his great
achievements to the Texas Exes
and to the local community. He was also bestowed upon the honor of
Lifetime Director of the Texas Exes Board,
an honor shared by only two other individuals.
Ron
Lowe, Vice President - Scholarship, began the awards portion of the
program by recognizing 2006 Laura
Vasquez Memorial Award winner Autumn Salazar, who will be a
freshman at The University in the fall. David Bridges recognized Melanie
Hibbetts, Director, as the 2006 New Member of the Year award
winner. Elizabeth Reining, Senior Director, recognized
Michael Carrizales as the 2006 Longhorn
of the Year award winner.
Michael
Carrizales also individually recognized each Texas
Exes Corpus Christi Board Member for their respective dedication
and hard work. The Board of Directors
consisted of Michael Carrizales; Ron Lowe; David Bridges; Barry O'Neal;
Elizabeth Reining; Melanie Hibbetts; Vernon Reinhardt, Vice
President - Membership; Michelle Carey, Vice President -
Fellowship, Lifetime Directors: Janis Herren and Marynelle
Davis-Stamper; Senior Director: Kevin Schaber, Directors: Rommel
Legaspi, Steve McMains, Brian Patterson, M.D., and Kimberly
Perez.
The night concluded with
the drawing of two raffle prizes. Marissa Gonzales of
Carrollton, TX was the winner of a pair of 2006 Texas Longhorns Football
Home Season tickets, courtesy of Michael Carrizales. Steve McMains
of Corpus Christi, TX was the winner of a Texas
Exes themed barbecue pit, courtesy of O'Neal Welding &
Fabrication, Inc..
Proceeds from the
event go to the Texas Exes Corpus
Christi Scholarship Fund benefiting local high school students.
-----
(Paraphrased for print in Corpus Christi
Caller~Times. Photos by Rachel Denny Clow, Corpus Christi
Caller~Times, and Ron Lowe)
