Mineola’s sesquicentennial celebration now has a royal court to represent it during the events through the rest of 2023.

The crowns and sashes were awarded at the Mineola Civic Center Saturday night.

Mr. and Ms. Sesquicentennial will be Gordon Tiner and Martha Holmes.

In the youth divisions, Valerie Moreland was crowned Miss Main Street Mineola, representing the high school.

Her sister, Lilly, will serve as Miss Iron Horse Mineola representing the middle school.

Little Miss Iron Horse Mineola representing the elementary grades is Greenly Herrington.

Little Mr. Choo Choo and Little Miss Choo will represent the primary grades.

They are Eli Calixto and Tatum Ray Hubbard.

The youth winners were chosen by sales of sesquicentennial merchandise, which topped $11,000. Proceeds will help fund the various sesquicentennial events.

Lilly Moreland was named top sales person at more than $2,000.

Mr. and Mrs. Sesquicentennial were chosen by independent judges from out of town.

Also nominated were Sam Curry and Janell Abbott.

John Abbott was also nominated but passed away April 21. Emcee Kevin White paid tribute to Mr. Abbott.

All the winners will get their first chance to present the community this weekend during the May Fiesta Saturday in downtown Mineola.

Martha Holmes still lives on property that has been in her family over 100 years – from before Mineola was incorporated as a named town. It is a Texas Century Ranch, through the Designated Family Land Heritage Program. Martha supports local agriculture and was top hay producer at the 2022 Hay Show. She began working as a child at Select Theater, which was co-owned by her father. As an adult, she earned a master’s degree and taught kindergartners in Mineola for 34 years. She was Teacher of the Year twice and was invited by Region 7 to educate and mentor other teachers. As a volunteer, she serves as vice president of the Mineola ISD Foundation. She is a member and secretary of the Landmark Commission and often volunteers for the mini-train and at Iron Horse Square. She teaches Children’s Church at First Methodist Church of Mineola, is one of the leaders of the HIS KIDS ministry and serves on boards and groups within the church. She is a proud graduate of MHS and frequently meets with her “girls of 78.”

Immediately after moving to Mineola Gordon Tiner got involved in the community through service organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Mineola Main Street, Salvation Army, Boy Scout Troop 385, city council, Mineola Industrial Foundation, Parks & Open Spaces Board, Board of Adjustments, and Mineola Economic Development Corp. He served three terms as a mayor from 1999-2005 and continues to serve as president of MEDC since 2007 and chairman of the Board of Adjustments.  He has served as president of Region 15 of the Texas Municipal League.

As chamber president, he was part of the original group that founded the Mineola Main Street Program. He was a Man of the Year. On the city council, he helped to acquire the land, lobbied for and developed the Mineola Nature Preserve. Also, while he was on the council, the Mineola Economic Development Corp. was formed. Gordon served as Boy Scoutmaster from 1991-1996 of Troop 385, holding a monthly campout and always participating in parades. Gordon and his wife, Pamela moved to Mineola in 1982 and have two children and four grandchildren.