By Becky Lettunich
We may not have the Cotton Bowl in El Paso, but cotton is an important crop on the border because cotton plays an important part in the daily lives of most Americans. Cotton contributes more than $45 billion to the nation's economy, and it accounts for 30% of all agricultural receipts in this area.
Last year 38,000 acres in El Paso County were planted in cotton of two varieties, upland and pima. Cotton farmers in El Paso's valleys are pursuing a tradition several hundred years old. Indians in this area planted cotton around the La Purisima (Socorro) Mission when it was first built.
Today several families grow cotton on land, which has supported the crop for decades, and generation after generation follows the tradition. The lower Valley makes cotton the center of attraction every year by celebrating the Cotton Festival.
Each August, the Rio Valle Women's Club sponsors a number of activities. Susan Lettunich, club member and behind the scenes coordinator for the festival, says. "It is held to promote cotton and the slogan ' Grown and Made in the U.S.A."
A golf tournament is held during cotton week to help farmers and local community leaders socialize. The main event, however, is the Maid of Cotton competition. The winner of the Southwest regional event automatically goes to the national contest, a privilege shared with only two other regions. Winners in the other cotton growing regions must apply each year to compete in the national event.
Lettunich stresses that the competition is not a beauty pageant. "The Maid of Cotton is going to be a spokesperson for cotton, so we look for speaking ability, poise and presentation." To this end, the young woman's sponsoring organization holds a tea during which the contestant is provided an opportunity to speak. The contestants also participate in a fashion show featuring cotton clothing provided by local merchants. During the competition, the young women are able to learn more about cotton by touring SWIG (Southwestern Irrigated {Cotton} Growers) and the Texas A & M Research Center and farm.
The judging takes place over three days and includes a personal interview, a luncheon and style show and the coronation, which takes place the last evening of the festival itself. Lettunich says, " The girls who go through this selection process come out knowing a lot about cotton".
In a city fast becoming a center for beauty pageants, the Maid of Cotton competition represents more than an opportunity for young women to compete for scholarships, wardrobes and other prizes. The local Maid of Cotton also represents an industry vital economically and historically to both the El Paso area and the nation Long live the cotton boll!
