On April 28th the Lone Star College Kingwood campus co-hosted a 250th Commemorative Celebration with the Texas Familias Council. The event was held for students, faculty, staff, and special guests, and was the culmination of several months of student-led engagements on the theme of independence.
Dr. Melissa Gonzalez, LSCK President, welcomed guests and congratulated students on their efforts. Professor Stephen Davis read the beginning paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, which turns 250 years this July 4.
The thirteen member Young Adult Planning Committee met alongside the faculty committee over several months. College historians Dr. John Barr, Professor Stephen Davis, and Dr. Juan Galvan, shared historic insight on the Declaration of Independence with the students. The young adults hosted many events with the theme of independence, including an art night social, student/faculty panel discussion, a student book panel, two viewings of the movie Hamilton, and a poetry and art competition.
The Young Adult Planning Committee was chaired by student, Natalia Galar, and alumni Vice Chair, Meztly Diaz. Their focus was to encourage fellow students to reflect on the value of independence beyond politics, and honor the many stories of the American Revolution, including the contributions of Spanish Hero Bernardo de Galvez. They found creative ways to begin honest conversation on difficult topics facing their generation today. This was no easy task, but the committee persevered to engage peers on critical issues impacting their future and their families.
Maria Baños Jordan, President of the Texas Familias Council, guided young adult meetings, and worked closely with the campus faculty/ staff committee throughout the planning process. “The college is a space of learning, and as we honor our nation’s Declaration of Independence, it’s the time for each of us to consider how we learn more about our individual independence, and also about being a part of one community. The staff, faculty, and students shined with every effort, and poured their hope into this effort over months. I’m humbled to have been a part of this very special endeavor.”
The project culminated in a campus celebration on April 28 with an extraordinary gathering of community groups including, the Bernardo de Galvez Chapter 1 of the Sons of the American Revolution from Galveston, Eclectic Voices of Kingwood under Dr. Todd Miller and Dr. Robert Hunt, Guitarist Jeremy Garcia, singer Irma La Paloma, and Mela Fuentes dancer of Solero Flamenco, The Lone Star Missionary Baptist Church and Community Choir of Tamina, Texas under the direction of Dr. Ruth Watson, Revolutionary Education 1776 re-enactment battle camp with John Schmonsees, and the history and dance of the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Second Chief Herbert Johnson, Jr led the invocation for the day, and was joined by Council members Cecilia Flores, Yolanda Poncho, Historical Preservationist Delvin Johnson, Janelle Battise, Kerwin Williams, Shaundai Poncho, Toahani Williams, Aaliyah Johnson, Darren Obe, Jr., and toddler dancer, Mi Wa-xuba (MIWA) Poncho. Theater and Art Professor, Eric Skiles, was the event’s MC.
Special guests included the Montgomery County Historical Commission and Chairman, Larry Foerster, Ann Meador of Montgomery County History Task Force, Chikawa Aztec Founder, Alejandra Tapia, Jason Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff for Judge Mark Keough, LSCS Trustee Art Murillo, Dr. Diana Pino, the Montgomery County Genealogy Department, the League of Women Voters Montgomery County, and Suann Hereford of the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County.
The Texas Familias Council and the League of Women Voters Montgomery County provided prizes to the winners of the Art and Poetry Independence Competitions. Receiving first place and a $250.00 gift card for her art, “Independent Mind, Independent Me”, was student Victoria Munguia, second place recipient of $100.00 was Alexis Valladares Turcios, and third place recipient of $50.00 was Valerie Garcia. The Poetry winner of $250.00 was Antonio Ramos Paredes for “Fire Under the Self”, second place recipient of $100.00 was Analia Martinez Encarnacion, and third place winner of $50.00 was Hennessey Hill.
The special guest speaker was Texas Historian, Dr. Caroline Castillo Crimm, who spoke of the lessons of history, and the role of Tejanos and Bernardo de Galvez in helping win the American Revolution. She returned for an evening lecture at the college with Dr. Barr’s Curious Minds program on Bernardo de Galvez and the Allies of Freedom. Dr. Castillo Crimm also received the 2026 Machilitzli Award for Bridging Cultures from the Texas Familias Council, and was serenaded by celebrated Mariachi Opera Artist, and previous award recipient, Vanessa Alonzo.