The melodies of a mariachi band, the flavors of your “abuelitas” homecooked meals and decorations as colorful as an “arco iris.” This was the setting of the 12th Annual Tejano Heritage Awards Banquet held at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Oct. 22. Each year, the Tejano banquet awards two people who have demonstrated exemplary service to the community of South Texas. This year, Steven H. Tallant, TAMUK president, was awarded the Tejano Heritage Award and Linda Villarreal, TAMUK Alumni and establisher of Ed Point, received the Tejano Service Award.
What does it mean to be a Tejano? Tejanos are decedents of the first Spanish-settlers of South Texas and are considered to be anyone who is a Hispanic born in Texas. Today, according to new census population estimates, Texas’ Hispanic population reached 11.1 million in 2017.
Homero Vera, Tejano historian and genealogist, explains that 12 years ago, he and Manuel Flores, professor of communications and journalism at TAMUK, came up with the banquet as a way to honor people who help their communities and show that Tejanos are “here to stay” in South Texas. In 2006, Flores and Vera held the first Tejano Heritage Awards Banquet that showed the impact Tejanos have made on society.
“The Tejano movement was getting really popular throughout the states. We didn’t want to get left behind, so we decided to do this to honor alumni and Tejanos,” Vera said.
Flores opened the 12th Annual Tejano Banquet by stating that history shows time and time again that Tejanos are hard workers and are anything but the “lazy Mexicans” people assumed decades ago. Some of the past awardees include sculptor Armando Hinojosa, Javelina athlete Leo Villarreal and musical duo Rumbo al’ Anacua.
After a brief dinner session, Villarreal received the first award of the night. She has been in the education business for years, serving as the executive director of the Education Service Center Region II and collaborating with higher education institutes through Ed Point.
A proud alumna, Villarreal received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from TAMUK. She feels honored and privileged for getting an award from a school that she considers to be family. As Villarreal talked about the Tejano Service Award, she recalled the important role her ancestors played in shaping her identity.
“I think we have to remember where we came from. Remember our heritage. In doing so, it reminds me of my great-grandparents who came from Mexico so that I could have a better life. Tonight, I would be remiss if I didn’t think about that. That through the journey they made, it allows me to be here today and to be able to speak to you all about my passions. About public-ed, education and the importance of it,” Villarreal said.
The second award was given to Tallant, who has gone through great lengths to preserve the history of South Texas and the influence of Tejano culture. Tallant was recognized for his work with the Tejano Civil Rights Museum, the John E. Conner Museum and the Texas Education Agency Premont ISD Initiative. His service to TAMUK for more than 10 years didn’t go unnoticed, as he was further thanked for his years of service and projects such as the “With You Without Limits” campaign.
Tallant feels the Tejano Heritage Award stands as one of the greatest honors he’s gotten in his life. After coming to the banquet for years, he never thought he would be receiving the award. Before becoming TAMUK’s President, Tallant hadn’t heard about the history of Tejanos since he had grown up in North Texas. However, Tallant remembers on the early years of his presidency, Flores asked him if he could talk with him about the history of South Texas.
“I think that it’s a history of Texas that is remarkable. It’s the glue that puts this region together, and it’s been overlooked by so many people. He [Flores] educated me, and it made me a better president understanding our culture. So receiving this award, to me it means that I’ve embraced the Tejano culture and who we are and that I care about it. That means a lot to me,” Tallant said.
