By Glenn Rae, Contributing Writer | May 22, 2026
The DeWitt County Historical Commission recognized four Yoakum Jr. High seventh graders on Tuesday, May 19, during its meeting at the DeWitt County Courthouse Annex. The students were selected as top entrants in the Letters From The Alamo essay contest, held in conjunction with the upcoming installation of the Alamo Society’s Travis Letter plaque on the courthouse grounds.
The Commission’s History Appreciation Committee invited seventh graders across DeWitt County to write first‑person essays imagining themselves as defenders during the final days of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Due to STAAR testing, most schools were unable to participate; however, Yoakum Jr. High’s seventh‑grade class, taught by Mrs. Jennifer Chumchal, submitted an impressive 72 entries.
Committee Chair Brenda Lord said the judging process was both emotional and inspiring. “The essays were heart‑felt and mostly historically accurate. They were deeply moving. Some made us cry and some made us smile, and all made us proud,” she shared.
Four students earned top honors. Madelyn Rosas received first place, Walter Zepeda earned second, and Kaliyah Kloesel placed third. Daniel Flores received special recognition with an honorable mention for his diary‑style narrative written from the perspective of an Alamo defender.
Each student received a certificate and a cash award. Presenting the honors was DeWitt County resident Bill Blackwell, a member of the statewide Alamo Letter Society. Also representing DeWitt County in the organization is Fain McDougal.
Work is currently underway to dedicate a granite historical marker featuring William Barret Travis’s famous letter to Gen. Sam Houston, written from the Alamo in 1836. The marker will be placed in front of the DeWitt County Courthouse. The dedication ceremony, to be coordinated by the DeWitt County Historical Society and the DeWitt County Commissioners Court, will be scheduled in the near future. Recent rains have caused delays in completing the project.