Fourteen years ago, the Tejano Banquet was created to honor Texas A&I and Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) alumni as well as others who have positively impacted South Texas. This year, guests gathered for a dinner to celebrate the 2019 awardees Dr. Elda E. Sánchez and Daniel Guerra on Oct. 20 in the Ben Bailey Art Gallery.
Every year the Tejano Banquet awards two recipients with either the Tejano Service Award or the Tejano Heritage Award.
“There are two awards. One is the Tejano Service Award. That award goes to Texas A&M University-Kingsville alumni, professors, staff members or a contributor…who has represented the Tejano culture in America in a positive and honorable matter through education, music, art, theater or literature,” Dr. Manuel Flores, TAMUK professor and member of Tejano Banquet Committee, said. “The Tejano Heritage Award is presented to an A&M University-Kingsville alumni, professor, staff member or contributor who has represented the Tejano culture inherited in a positive manner while not forgetting his or her roots and making a difference in the lives of South Texans and Tejanos.”
Sánchez was the first to receive an award on the night; she received the Tejano Heritage Award. Sánchez is the Director of the National Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at TAMUK. Sanchez graduated from Texas A&I in 1993 with a bachelor’s in biology. She then went on to get her master’s in biology from TAMUK in 1999 and her Ph.D in toxicology from the Central University of Venezuela.
When she heard she would be receiving the award, Sánchez was shocked but was also honored and humble.
“I think it means that as a Hispanic woman I am being recognized for the work that I am doing, and it means a lot to me because it…also belongs to everybody that has supported me as well because generally we don’t get awards and we don’t achieve the places we achieve without the help and support of your family and your colleagues and your friends,” Sanchez said.
For most of her life, Sánchez has had a love for snakes. This inspired her to spend time in the NNTRC researching snakes during her time as an undergraduate. Now, 29 years later she is the Director of the NNTRC. The NNTRC houses more than 450 venomous snakes. The staff work with these snakes to isolate important toxins in their venom for global research, training and resources. During her time as the Director of NNTRC, Sánchez has procured more than $6 million for the viper resource center and as a professor she has continued to mentor STEM students who have gone on to do important work in research and education. In her career, Sánchez also has also written more than 90 research publications.
The second award was given to Guerra, who received the Tejano Service award. Guerra is a two-time graduate of Texas A&I in 1970 for his bachelor’s and in 1977 for his master’s. Guerra was introduced by his daughter who told her father’s story. She told of his time growing up as a migrant worker and how his drive for a better life inspired him to complete his education. Guerra enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school in order to qualify for the GI Bill. After being honorably discharged, he attended Texas A&I and studied elementary education. Guerra went on to become a coach at Premont High School. He began coaching the boys’ cross country team, which went on to win five consecutive state championships, making the Premont ISD boys cross country program one of the top 10 best programs of all time, according to TxRuning. In spring 2020, the new track in Premont ISD will be named the Daniel Guerra Track, and will honor the five championships the school received under his direction.
Guerra said when he first heard he was receiving the award he was humbled. He also hopes the award will serve as inspiration to his family.
“When Manuel [Dr. Flores] told me about Dr. Sánchez, I said ‘Gosh, that woman is way up there, and I’m just teaching at a country school.’ But no, I wanted to come for the kids. It’s not only me being honored it’s the kids that ran for me because without them I would not be here today,” Guerra said. “It makes me feel good that I can pass this on to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren one day. In other words, set an example.”
