The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce recognized its 2025 pageant winners with scholarship awards during a ceremony at Monte Alteza Tapas & Wine Garden.
Pageant Director Jennifer D'Spain presented awards to the titleholders. Miss Bandera County Queen Gabriela Cabrera received a $1,500 scholarship, Miss Bandera County Teen Srey Ayers received $300, Miss Bandera County Junior Teen Catalina Rose received $150 and Miss Bandera County Queen First Runner-Up Bailey Barth received $400.
D'Spain credited the community and local business leaders who have helped the program grow, including Bandera County Chamber of Commerce President Michele Kosmalski.
"She has been overly tolerant of me this year to make this all happen, and I appreciate you so much," D'Spain said.
The ceremony was held at Monte Alteza, a business owned by Cabrera's parents, and featured a silent auction to raise funds for the third annual Bandera County Pageant, scheduled to begin in October. Donated items included a painting by local artist Melissa Sutherland, wine memberships from Monte Alteza and contributions from numerous local businesses.
For D'Spain, the pageant represents something larger than crowns and competition.
"I saw that down Main Street, 80% of businesses are owned by women," D'Spain said. "We are the leaders and mentors for these young women that we are working with. We are building up these ladies to the potential that they have, even in their own small town. What they can do and the impact they can make on their community is tremendous."
She said those women-owned businesses and community leaders inspired her when she first moved to Bandera.
"And I saw that when I moved to Bandera, and it was very inspiring," she said.
One of the evening's most heartfelt moments came when D'Spain addressed Cabrera directly.
Earlier this month, Cabrera shared her experience living with autism in an interview with The Bulletin. D'Spain praised the growth she witnessed during Cabrera's time in the program.
"The growth that I have seen, Gabriela, I just want to share has been amazing," D'Spain said. "If any of you have dined here at Monte Alteza, she wasn't waiting tables, and now she is. She is open and loving and talking with the community and sharing her gifts with so many people, and I am absolutely so proud of you."
D'Spain also announced a new partnership between the Bandera County Pageant and the Bandera County Fair for this year's competition.
"If you're interested, applications are available," she told attendees.
The scholarship program and pageant are supported through donations and sponsorships from local businesses, including Hyo Silver, Bandera Electric Cooperative, 11th Street Cowboy Bar, H-E-B, Lowe's, Walmart, B-Daddy's BBQ, Hicks Ranch, Buddy's Water, Well & Septic, Water Boys of Medina, The Mayan Ranch, Sovereignty Ranch, Bandera Brewery and other community partners.
Applications for the October pageant are available online at banderacountypageant.com.
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