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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!
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