Reprint from the Progress Times - February 2, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Sharyland Student Is Chosen As 2008 Queen Citrianna

Jessica Brook Murillo of Sharyland will reign over the 2008 Texas Citrus Fiesta as Queen Citrianna LXXI.

The new queen, who was this year's Duchess of White Marsh Seedless Grapefruit, was announced at the annual Fiesta Product Costume Show and Royal Finale Friday, January 26, at the Neuhaus Center.

Miss Murillo, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Javier Murillo, joined King Citrus Robert Lee Martin on stage with the other members of the royal court.

Identity of the King Citrus who will reign with her won't be announced until next year's fiesta.

A senior at Sharyland High School, Miss Murillo is a member of the National Honor Society, is vice-president of the Leo Club and is on the Principal's Advisory Board for Girls' Athletics. She serves as a reading tutor for elementary children and participates in cross-country and track events.

Named to join her in the Royal Court next year were:

- Princess of Grapefruit Blossom Selina Susana Samano of Hidalgo, this year's Duchess of International Goodwill. Miss Samano, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Samano, is a junior at the University of Texas-Pan American. A high school graduate at 16, she was salutatorian of her graduating class. She was Miss RGV Galaxy in 2005 and was fourth runner-up at Miss Texas Teen Galaxy in 2005. She also was Miss Borderfest Queen in 2007.

- Princess of Orange Blossom Megan Anne Flowers of Weslaco, this year's Duchess of Rio Red Grapefruit. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Flowers, Miss Flowers is a junior at Harlingen South High School where she is a member of various clubs, including the National Honor Society.

- Lady-in-Waiting Lorena Flores of Mission, this year's Duchess of Ruby Red Grapefruit. Miss Flores, daughter of Isabel Flores and the late Jose Omar Flores, is a senior at Veterans Memorial High School where she is vice-president of her class and is a varsity cheerleader and a varsity softball player.

- First alternate Erika Denise Salinas of Palmhurst, this year's Duchess of Oleander. A Veterans Memorial High School junior, Miss Salinas is a National Honor Society member, is a member of the Hidalgo Cotillion, Inc., and is a Supreme Court Justice with the National Hispanic Institute.

- Second alternate Vianney Diaz of Hidalgo, this year's Duchess of Periwinkle. Miss Diaz, who represented the City of Hidalgo, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Javier Diaz. A University of Texas-Austin junior, she was named Miss Hidalgo in 2006. A Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, she was president of her senior class.

Also recognized were Miss Photogenic Areana Gabrielle Garza of Mission, this year's Duchess of Honeydew, and Miss Congeniality Catherine Wood of Sharyland, this year's Duchess of Pink Grapefruit.

Miss Garza, daughter of Marty de la Garza and Judge Fred Garza Jr., was the Fiesta's 46th Princess Anna. A student at Eagle Academy, she enjoys tutoring five and six year olds and likes to participate in church activities.

Miss Wood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brad Wood, is a senior at Sharyland High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and is on the A-B honor roll.