Abrazo Children - 2023

Mila Fernanda Garcia

Age 9, is the daughter of Mr. Jose E. Garcia and Mrs. Cynthia Vela-Garcia. Mila is a fourth grader at St. Augustine Elementary School. Her hobbies include flamenco, ballet, horseback riding, swimming, skiing, and watercolor painting. Mila also enjoys playing at the family ranch and reading.

Mila comes from a long legacy of family members who have served as Abrazo Children, dating back to 1985. Her aunts, uncles, mother, father, and others have also volunteered, and continue to volunteer, in multiple capacities with the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association and its affiliate organizations such as: the Caballeros de la Republica del Rio Grande, International Good Neighbor Council, Society of Martha Washington, and the Princess Pocahontas Council. Her father, Jose E. “Pepe” Garcia is currently a WBCA Board Member.

Mila is honored to follow in her family’s footsteps and continue this long legacy as the 2022-2023 Abrazo Child representing the United States.

Francisco Marcel Gonzalez

Francisco Marcel Gonzalez Flores also known as “Panchito” is 10 years old and the son of Mr. Francisco Javier Gonzalez Garza and Mrs. Monica Flores Gonzalez.

He is a fifth grade student at United Day School and he loves his school and his community. In his free time, Francisco enjoys playing tennis with his friends, practicing boxing, playing in the pool or on the trampoline with his brother Patricio, and spending time with his dog Lulu.

His hobbies include playing video games like Roblox and playstation 5 VR. Reading and traveling are also the main things he enjoys. Throughout the years he has participated in numerous sports such as Taekwondo, swimming and playing basketball, in addition to attending numerous camps.

Francisco’s parents and immediate family have also been very involved in various organizations and have participated in different Washington’s Birthday Celebration roles. His father Francisco Gonzalez Garza, known as Pancho, was a WBCA Presidential appointee in 2021-2022 and is now a WBCA Board Director for 2022-2024. His mother Monica F. Gonzalez is currently the Secretary for the International Good Neighbor Council (IGNC) and has been a member since 2018. She is also a current member of the Society of Martha Washington (SMW) and has been a member since 2018. Francisco’s uncle Alejandro Gonzalez Garza was a Society of Martha Washington escort in 1999 and his aunt and uncle Celeste and Sebastian Gonzalez participated in the same as debutant and escort in 2016.

Francisco is honored and excited to represent the City of Laredo and the United States as the 2022-2023 Abrazo Child as part of the 125th Washington Birthday Celebration.

Andressa Maria Vazquez

Andressa is 9-years-old and the daughter of Mr. Jorge Javier Vazquez Longoria and Mrs. Melissa Urteaga de Vazquez. Next week she will be starting the fourth grade at Mary Help of Christians School and is a proud member of the MHCS Choir and NET.

An avid gymnast at heart, Andressa also loves spending time in the great outdoors with family and friends. Her most favorite thing to do is spend time in the family ranch and go horseback riding. Among other hobbies she enjoys are hunting, fishing, and traveling. In her downtime, while at home, Andressa also loves to read.

As the 2022-2023 Abrazo Child representing Mexico, Andressa is proud to follow in her family member’s footsteps, many of whom served as Abrazo Children dating back to 1987. Andressa’s family legacy extends over the years to include participation in various WBCA events and WBCA Affiliate events, such as with the Consejo Internacional de la Buena Vecindad and the Society of Martha Washington.

Jeremiah Cabrera

He is a fourth-grade student attending Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary School where he is involved in many extracurricular activities. Jeremiah is an avid reader and a member of his school’s Gifted and Talented Program and the National Elementary Honor Society.

Jeremiah also loves playing sports and is part of the Colonel Santos Benavides Basketball team, Prodigy Flag Football, and the Dreamcatchers Basketball travel team. Additionally, he enjoys playing tennis and golf.