Veronica “Ronnie” Alaniz has been named 2023 Volunteer of the Year for the Starr County Fair Association. Ronnie has been an active volunteer since 2012, serving as Advisory Director, Cook Off Chairman, Kiddie Cook Off Chairman, and Trail Ride Chairman. She has also served on the Night Entertainment Committee and is on the Wild Game Dinner Committee.

Ronnie has been involved in the Fair since she was a youth. She was a 4-H member when in grade school and an FFA member when in high school, participating in the Baking division and in the Lamb division.

She stated, “The county fair to me is a tradition that’s woven into the fabric of nearly every community. It offers opportunities for young people to foster life skills such as leadership, goal setting, work ethic, responsibility, and sportsmanship. I believe that community service and volunteer leadership are at the root of the success of the county fair. Generations of community leaders have been born out of the ideologies instilled in our youth and their families through their involvement in 4-H clubs, FFA, and other organizations, which are institutions that furnish a legacy of volunteer service and youth development, renewing leadership to the local community and beyond. I am very proud and humbled to have been named this year’s Volunteer of the Year. I would like to thank my dear mother and family for supporting me along my journey in life. I will forever owe my achievements to my caring and thoughtful family.”

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