Miss Bandera Queen Gabriela Cabrera is nearing the end of her reign, but her 2025 title remains close to her heart for one special reason: Two weeks after being crowned, Cabrera was diagnosed with autism and has flourished academically.
At just sixteen years old, Cabrera is already attending Northwest Vista College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.
“I would like to do something with robotics,” Cabrera said. “I’m still figuring out the specifics, but it’s something that I really enjoy, so that’s what I’m studying.”
Cabrera is set to graduate in approximately two years, but there was a slight discrepancy in her $1,500 scholarship from the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce.
“The first year [of the pageants] we gave out the scholarships before the summer,” Executive Director James Hernandez said. “The pageant director wanted to change that so last year's winners get their checks at this year's pageant instead. But we realize now that this is a bad idea. The younger ones don't mind but our Miss Bandera County Queen is typically a senior and needs the money before summer to use that money towards college.”
Cabrera is scheduled to receive her check in July, and despite the hiccup, Cabrera was proud to have defied the stereotypes of a pageant winner – a sentiment her mother shares.
“We’ve talked about this many times,” Karina Hernandez said. “It was so heartwarming, obviously to me as a mom. Before her diagnosis, when she won, the judges asked her a question, and she talked about how she felt different, and what she wanted to do with her title. She wanted other girls that were out there thinking about possibly doing a pageant to see her, and to just know that a beauty pageant was more than just beauty.”
Cabrera, an avid reader and video game player, shared her experience of trying to fit in at different schools, as her father’s career forced the family to move around constantly.
“I already struggled a little bit socially making friends and talking to people,” Cabrera said. “But once I was here a while, I was able to find a friend group, and it was a little easier after that.”
“Here” for Cabrera is Lakehills, where the family has been for six years with no plans to leave.
“We found a home, and it is the perfect home,” Hernandez said.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Cabrera has joined her parents, who own the wine and tapas bar Monte Alteza in Pipe Creek, in starting her own business.
“I’ve been selling dried garnishes,” Cabrera said. “At the bar, they need a lot of dried fruits for cocktails and margaritas. You can also just eat them. A lot of people like the pineapple.”
Cabrera shares 10% of her proceeds to the Autism Research Institute. She is currently working on the name of her business, but you can share your support by visiting the Monte Alteza Wine and Tapas Bar to purchase her dried goods.
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