SAC Crowns Fiesta Royalty Ambassadors

Jose Ramirez, Multimedia Journalist

April 10, 2026

Rayshunda Dawson, SAC business major and PTK president, stands next to SAC President Dr. Francisco Solis after being crowned Sovereign at the Fiesta Coronation in the fiesta room at the Loftin student center, Thursday April 2.

San Antonio College introduced and crowned its Fiesta Royalty Ambassadors in the Fiesta room April 2. The winners were chosen by students to serve as ambassadors for this year’s Fiesta celebrations. This new tradition comes as a result of San Antonio College’s Centennial, celebrating 100 years of service and impact. Students voted for eligible participants who applied to be a part of the “Royal Court” through Alamo Experience, and the top three with the most votes would be named “Sovereign” (first place), “Monarch” (second place) and “Ambassador” (third place).

The coronation winners, Josiah Rodriguez and Salma De La Rosa (Ambassador), Destiny Garcia (Monarch), and Rayshanda ‘Ray’ Dawson (Sovereign) will represent SAC at Fiesta events this month.

Political science major Josiah Rodriguez and ACD Trustee is crowned Ambassador of the SAC Royal Court 2026 at SAC’s Fiesta Coronation, Thursday, April 2. (Janelle Alemán)

“All events have been amazing, but fiesta gives you that opportunity to connect with yourself while being bold and vibrant,” Rodriguez said. “It’s also the only place you can get chicken on a stick.”

Rodriguez tied for third place with De La Rosa.

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“I was more happy to share the stage and the accomplishments with my fellow members of the Royal Court,” liberal arts major Destiny Garcia said. “I actually have been in the fiesta parade before when I was a cheerleader at Lanier High School…so it will be nice to experience what it’s like being on a float and being a role model for our students and community.”

Liberal arts major Destiny Garcia stands next to her parents after receiving the Monarch title at the SAC Fiesta Coronation Thursday, April 2nd. (Janelle Alemán)

According to Director of Student Life Dr. Jacob-Aidan Martinez, organizing the event was not without its hurdles.

“We were trying to figure out what we could call them (the ambassadors) because you run into things where if you do such a specific category for it, there may be a student who may feel like, ‘well, I don’t fit in any of those categories,’ so we had to think that through,” Martinez said. “We didn’t want anyone to feel left out if they wanted to participate.”

Business major Salma Flores stands with her family after being awarded Ambassador at SAC’s Fiesta Coronation, Thursday, April 2nd. (Janelle Alemán)

Fiesta has been a tradition since 1891, according to the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, and attracts people from around the world to celebrate.

“For me, it’s (Fiesta) such a big part of Hispanic culture, and it reminds everyone can come together for moments like this. It’s a shared experience,” Rodriguez said.

A mariachi band entertains the crowd at the first SAC Royal Court 2026 Coronation, Thursday, April 2nd. (Janelle Alemán)

The Fiesta Royal Court will represent the spirit of SAC at Fredstock, the Battle of Flowers Parade and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade.

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