Fiesta San Antonio is several months away, but two local non-profit organizations have crowned a king and queen.
In an elaborate ceremony Saturday night at Villita Assembly Hall, local businessman Larry Benson was crowned El Rey Feo LXV and Lauren Osterman, a junior at Antonian College Preparatory High School was named Reina de la Feria de las Flores (Queen of the Fair of the Flowers).
"I'm looking forward to the Fiesta parades and visiting schools," said Osterman.
She won the crown by raising money for the LULAC Council No. 2 Parent/Child Scholarship program. The rather unique scholarship program helps parents who are currently enrolled at Alamo Community Colleges.
Those selected, not only gets a $1,000 scholarship, but when they received their associates degree, certification or complete the first part of their transfer program, their child will be entitled to a two-year scholarship at one of the Alamo Colleges.
Those selected, not only gets a $1,000 scholarship, but when they received their associates degree, certification or complete the first part of their transfer program, their child will be entitled to a two-year scholarship at one of the Alamo Colleges.
The Rey Feo Scholarship Committee, Inc. has awarded more than $4 million in scholarships since its inception and Benson raised his fair share of funds to win the title of El Rey Feo (Ugly King).
Fiesta San Antonio is several months away, but he told 550 KTSA News he's already presented scholarships to local students.
Fiesta San Antonio is several months away, but he told 550 KTSA News he's already presented scholarships to local students.
"I gave 130 scholarships one night and that was very rewarding, just to know that the money is helping those kids go to college," said Benson.
He's looking forward to Fiesta San Antonio in April, which includes more than a hundred events during the 11-day period. He'll also visit dozens of local schools.
"It's a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of work. I look forward to visiting the schools and talking to kids about furthering their education," Benson said.
He's been prepped on what kind of questions the youngest children usually ask the man who wears the crown.
"They want to know if the king lives in a castle. Is there a moat and does he have a queen?"
Benson not only got a crown and a sash Saturday night during an elaborate ceremony at Villita Assembly Hall, but he was presented with a live goat,which walked beside him during the Grand March as the band played "Zacatecas." .
The "cabrito" is presented to El Rey Feo to represent the king's Order of the Cabrito.
He's the brother of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson.
"It's a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of work. I look forward to visiting the schools and talking to kids about furthering their education," Benson said.
He's been prepped on what kind of questions the youngest children usually ask the man who wears the crown.
"They want to know if the king lives in a castle. Is there a moat and does he have a queen?"
Benson not only got a crown and a sash Saturday night during an elaborate ceremony at Villita Assembly Hall, but he was presented with a live goat,which walked beside him during the Grand March as the band played "Zacatecas." .
The "cabrito" is presented to El Rey Feo to represent the king's Order of the Cabrito.
He's the brother of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson.
