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TEXAS
INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION & SCHOLARSHIP
FUNDRAISER
The Event
This year's event promises to be even better than the last. Thanks to our
generous event sponsors and silent auction donors, we raised over $5000
last year...this year we're hoping to exceed that amount! This year's event will
be held on Sunday, March 2, 2008, from 4-7 pm at Lounge 201 in Washington DC (201 Massachusetts Ave NE). Entertainment will be provided by
a fellow member of the Texas Exes,
DJ Andrew Garcia of g3 Entertainment.
Event Photography is being generously donated by Katy Lellelid of
Dahlia Photography and
photos will be available for purchase on our website.
In addition, we will be presenting our 2008 DC Texas Exes T-shirt for sale!
During the event only we will be offering special pricing of $10 for
short sleeve t-shirts (regular price will be $15). We will also be offering
a limited number of long-sleeve t-shirts for $20 each
Special Thanks to our Event Sponsors
Christopher Bjornson & D'Ann Faught
Advance tickets are now available here at a price of $20. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $25. All guests who purchase advance tickets will be eligible for special door prize drawings! Tickets available at the door for $25. Cash or check only will be accepted at the door!
Check out our FABULOUS silent auction items!!
Autographed football donated by Emmitt Smith
Longhorn Jalapeno Grill from Honey's Jalapeno Grills
$125 Gift Certificate to Texas True
2 Gift Certificates for Dinner for 2 from Austin Grill
2 Learn to Ski/Snowboard Packages from Liberty Mountain Resort
Private Tour & Wine Tasting for 8 from Cygnus Wine Cellars
Autographed copy of "Texas In Her Own Words" by Tweed Scott
8 Passes for the Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Tarara Winery
4 Box Seats to the performance of The Lion King at The Kennedy Center
2 $50 Gift Certificates donated by Greg Daily Photography
2 Complimentary Rides from Driver's Incorporated - Designated Driver Service
Dinner for 2 at Chuy's - Austin, Texas
C.C. the Alamo Cat calendar donated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas
University of Texas prints from photographer Randy Smith
Autographed Merchandise from Asleep at the Wheel
HANDMADE JEWELRY BY Pink Pearl Jewelry:
*2 TEXAS inspired bracelets,
made with burnt orange crystals, pewter and sterling...Hook 'Em!
*Show off your Texas Pride...Bracelet with Red coral,
blue pearls, & pewter w/heart clasp...
*Double strung bracelet made with turquoise, coral, and assorted chips, sterling Longhorn, cowboy, and Texas charms, and button clasp; earrings to match!
*Dark Gray Swarovski pearl necklace w/silver accents & matching earrings
Private Wine Tasting & Tour for up to 12 people donated by
Woodhall Wine Cellars in Parkton, Maryland
Authentic LBJ 1964 Campaign Poster donated by Chris Bjornson
3 Class Pass to Tranquil Space Yoga
"Path to Serenity" framed photo (chosen for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Calendar) donated by Greg Daily Photography
Basic Skills Class for 2 donated by Sport Rock Alexandria
$25 Gift Certificate from La Muse - Alexandria Gift Shop
2 Complimentary mid-week recreation coupons from Wintergreen Resort
$20 Gift Card from Rudy's BBQ
Texas mesquite jewelry box donated by Chris Bjornson
Texas Flag Hand-painted Tin Wall Hanging donated by Jen Sarver
Private Wine Tasting & Tour for up to 12 people (includes complimentary glasses)
donated by Rappahannock Cellars
"Longhorn Football" by Bobby Hawthorne, donated by UT Press
Burnt orange stone necklace donated by Jen Sarver
$50 Gift Certificate from Pour House
$50 Gift Certificate from 18th Amendment
$50 Gift Certificate from Trusty's
$100 Gift Certificate from Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill - Austin, TX
2 - $50 Gift Certificates from Black Finn Restaurant & Saloon
2 - $50 Gift Certificates from Capital Q BBQ
Framed 16" x 20" photos of various DC sites, donated by D'Ann Faught, Realtor
"Backyard Brawl: Inside the Blood Feud between Texas & Texas A&M" book
Triple Play Certificate from Shadowland Laser Adventures
Classic Manicure from Comfort & Joy Wellness Spa
Texas Flag flown over the Texas State Capitol, donated by Rep. Patrick Rose
Autographed CD & T-shirt donated by George Strait
2 Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages at Ski Roundtop
Gift Certificate from MezzaLuna
"Horns! A History" book about Texas football
Texas wind spinner from Kat's Kloset
2 Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages at Ski Whitetail
4 tickets to Shamrock Festival 2008
4 Passes to the new DC Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
10 lbs of Pick your Own Blueberries at Butler's Orchard
2 passes for a Shenandoah White Water Rafting Trip
from River Riders at Harpers Ferry, WV
CDs, T-shirts and Caps donated by Robert Earl Keen
$25 Gift Certificate to Guero's Taco Bar - Austin, Texas
Gift Certificate from Hawk & Dove
Autographed copy of "Summer of '66" novel donated
by Shelton L. Williams
Golf Gift certificates from Patuxent Greens Country Club
Gift Certificate from Top Shelf Bar & Grill
Texas Star Cufflinks, donated by the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations
"Texas Pride" - Book detailing the 2005 Championship Season
Gift Baskets including Texas Exes Gear & Shiner Beer
Miscellaneous University of Texas gear & collectibles
The History
On February 23, 1836 General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna army of more than 6,000 began its siege on the Alamo in San Antonio, catching the citizens of the city by surprise. William B. Travis, the commander of the Alamo sent forth couriers carrying pleas for help to communities in Texas:
Fellow Citizens and Compatriots: I am besieged with a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly over the wall. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country
VICTORY OR DEATH.
William Barrett Travis, Lt. Col. Commander
The Cause
As early as 1900, March 2 became a day for Texas Exes to observe a holiday. A great deal of tradition and sentiment surrounds the celebration on the local level. In that year, The Ex-Students Association adopted a resolution:
Whenever two ex-students of the University of Texas shall meet on
Texas Independence Day, they shall sit and break bread and pay tribute
to the institution which made their education possible.
Each year, the DC Texas Exes gather at a special celebration to raise money for our scholarship funds. These funds are used the following academic year to assist deserving DC Metro area students who choose to attend The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, each year we are able to provide stipends for Texas students who participate in the Archer Fellows Program. |
