The selection is over, as the 2008 Bluebonnet Days royalty was chosen and announced Sunday afternoon, March 2. Miss Veronica Rodriguez was crowned the 2008 Bluebonnet Days Queen. Veronica is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Rodriguez. The 2007 Bluebonnet Days Queen, Miss Katie Ihrig, crowned the queen and her royal court.

The four princesses in order of selection are: first runner-up, Rikki Crenshaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Crenshaw; second runner-up, Cecilia Vasquez, daughter of Zacarias and Clara Cantu; third runner-up, Jenna Diaz, daughter of Rudy and June Diaz; and fourth runner-up, Felicia Villarreal, daughter of Marcus and Virginia Villarreal.

The coronation of "her majesty" will be April 25, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Bluebonnet Days events. Festivities at the coronation will include entertainment by the young people from Kenedy schools.

The coronation theme will be "The Fabulous Fifties" and will be in the Kenedy High School Gym.

After choosing from a field of 12 candidates, the judges reached their decision on Sunday evening, March 2, at a tea held at the home of Ed and Kathy Farris in the old Kenedy bank building downtown.

A dining room setting of crystal, silver and candles complemented the refreshments which consisted of fresh strawberries, chips and dips, finger sandwiches, decorated bluebonnet sugar cookies, along with strawberry punch.

Each candidate must be either a junior or senior from Kenedy High School and they are interviewed by a panel of three judges. Serving as judges this year were Linda Wenske of Yoakum, Elaine Porter of Beeville and Patti Blackson of San Marcos.

Serving as the duchesses of the royal court are Allison Aguirre, Katlyn Atkinson, Nancy Gonzales, Melanie Martinez, Vanessa Puerto, Crystal Salas, and Maria Zaragoza.

All of the members of the Bluebonnet Days Court will be assisting in advance ticket sales and scholarships, which will be awarded to court members with the highest advance ticket sales. Ticket prices are $6 for adults; $1 for 6-11 year olds, and ages 5 and under are free. We look forward to an exciting coronation and festival this year, so be sure to get your tickets soon from one of the lovely court members.

Tea and coronation coordinator, Ginger Johnson, would like to express special thanks to chamber ladies, Carolyn McDonald, Bonnie Alonzo, Andrea Jalufka, Shelly Johnson, the 2007 Miss Bluebonnet Days Katie Ihrig, and The Countywide Newspaper for taking pictures of the girls on Sunday evening.