Karen Waters Named 2018 Cameron County Fair & Livestock Show Cowgirl

by Tony Vindell/LFN

A total of 21 girls competed in three divisions during Saturday’s 2018 Cowgirl contest and although three finalists were chosen in each group, each contestant was a winner for having participated in the annual event.

Held Saturday night , Jan. 27, at the Los Fresnos High School cafetorioum, each girl in the petite, junior and cowgirl division introduced themselves and answered questions posed by DJ Wernecke, a representative of the Mercedes-based Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show.

After the nearly two-hour long event, Karen Waters was chosen as the 2018 Cowgirl by a panel of three judges.

The 15 years old Los Fresnos resident, couldn’t hide her enthusiasm for taking the contest top honor.

“This means a lot to me,” she said. “I did not think I was going to be crowned as the new cowgirl until I heard my name.”

Waters, who is in 10th grade at Los Fresnos United, said she plans to pursue a career in biomedical engineering after high school.

Her mother, also named Karen, was as proud as her daughter.

“I am elated,” she said, while taking pictures of her. ”I feel blessed.”

Two other girls, Angelina Galvan and Talitha Garcia, were chosen first and second runners-up, respectively.

In the junior cowgirls division, Kylie Michelle, took the top spot while Bailey Helmer and Avery Fohn were chosen as first and second runners-up.

In the petite division, Tatum Helmer took the top spot followed by Melissa Jaramillo and Emily Cargill.

The contest included a silent “Chinese auction,” where several dozen items went to the attendees who bought tickets with the proceeds going to raise funds.