Annual Texas Independence Day BBQ Held
On Sunday, March 23, Highland Lakes Texas Exes held its annual Texas Independence Day Barbecue and Fundraiser at Spicewood Vineyards. This year, we met in the event center. We had a lot more room to enjoy great conversation over drinks before dinner was served! Forty-four members bought tickets and thirty-five attended. The chapter raised $2,098.35 in ticket sales, with members contributing an additional $690 in donations placed in the contribution jar.
The beautiful surroundings of Spicewood Vineyards afforded a great background to relax and raise scholarship money. (And eat barbecue, with great sides and desserts.) Many thanks to Spicewood Vineyards for hosting our event annually, and donating the space!
Shout Outs to those who supplied dinner, desserts and supplies:
Fred Becker, master chef, and his team: John Chumney, Darin McNeils, Ian Parmiter and Jacquelyn Mouton for the BBQ prep and presentation. It takes 24+ hours to cook all this fabulous food!
Jacquelyn Mouton — Chili
Leslie Parmiter — Potato Salad
Tamara Merkel and Carolyn Bates — Desserts
We hope we haven’t missed anyone! Many thanks to all our volunteers.
Thirteen Outstanding Local Students Awarded Scholarships by Highland Lakes Texas Exes
On May 15, 2024, the Highland Lakes Chapter of the Texas Exes awarded thirteen scholarships totaling $26,000 to outstanding local students who will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. At River City Grill in Marble Falls, the Chapter hosted the students, their families, local Texas Exes and scholarship donors with a Meet and Greet event. The students were able to meet each other before heading off to their summer orientations and other activities, and donors were able to meet the incredible young people whom their donations are supporting.
The Scholarship Committee noted that the essays in the scholarship applications were the best yet, and choosing the winners was extremely challenging. That impression was confirmed when meeting the bright, well-spoken, and confident students who were selected. The Chapter wishes these students and all local students the best of luck in their studies!
The Chapter extends many thanks to the Scholarship Committee for their tireless energy and commitment to screen and select these outstanding students. Thanks to all of you who came out to welcome them into the Longhorn family!
Pictured below are a number of the winners. Top row, left to right are scholarship recipients Devin Petterson and Ivan Leon (Burnet High School), Charlie Brantley, Seth Parker and Garrett Goggans (Marble Falls HS), Nancy Etzler (LBJ HS in Johnson City) and Madelyn Stennett (Llano HS). Front row, left to right are Sophie Blankenburg and Faith Tucker (Blanco HS) and Sutton Christopher (Llano HS).
Pictured below left to right are Marble Falls High School recipients Charlie Brantley, Garrett Goggans and Emily Martin. Not pictured are scholarship recipients Sophia Mills (Marble Falls HS) and Tatum Salinas (Burnet HS).
Donate to our Chapter
You can make a significant difference in the life of a local student by donating securely online to our chapter. All donations and profits from each event go directly to the Highland Lakes Chapter Scholarship Fund.
Donate to Texas Exes Highland Lakes Chapter
(Learn more about our scholarship fund and ways to donate)
All donations are tax-deductible, and receipts are provided. Your donations are greatly appreciated!
About our Chapter
Serving alumni and friends of the University of Texas in the Highland Lakes area, including Spicewood, Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Johnson City, Llano, Lampasas, Kingsland, Burnet, and the surrounding Hill Country.
To get in touch and get involved, please contact the Texas Exes Highland Lakes Chapter President, Larry Merkel, at hltexasex@gmail.com.