El Paso, Texas. The Sun City. Imagine the state of Texas in your mind. See that far left pointy bit? That's El Paso, squished between New Mexico and old Mexico.
Famous El Pasoans:
Don Haskins led the first basketball team with five black starters to NCAA victory, and then they made a movie about it.
Lee Trevino got his start at a golf tournament in El Paso.
Debbie Reynolds was born in El Paso.
And don't forget Marty Robbins:
Though technically within Texas borders, El Paso does not, like every other major Texas city, claim to be home to the only "True Texans."
Fun facts about El Paso:
It has a slightly larger population than Boston.
It is the fourth largest city in Texas.
It is the home of Chico's Tacos. NOT for the amateur.
Most El Paso residents are of Mexican descent.
When we were little babies, my parents put Lara and me in the care of a Mexican lady, Toni. Toni weaned us on refried beans and Spanish rice and homemade tortillas, and menudo. Mmm menudo, and I don't mean the Ricky Martin band. Here's a site with more information than you will ever need about menudo.
Despite four years each in her care, Lara and I do not speak Spanish. It's probably the biggest source of shame in my life.
Lara has not forgotten her home town -- she mentions it whenever the press ask where she's from. And her home town has not forgotten her.
Lara was nominated to the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame on February 18, 2009. Flip Lyle, triathlete and Hall of Fame treasurer, nominated her. In Lara's category three out of 10 to 15 athletes are chosen per year.
"I was excited and delighted to nominate Lara," Lyle said over the phone. "She is obviously an extraordinary swimmer."
Three people must speak on the nominee's behalf. Lara's high school coaches, including Wright Stanton, spoke for her and my parents assembled a resume of her achievements.
Lara still finds it "surreal" to think that so many people pay attention to her career. Lara doesn't think of herself as bigtime yet, but she said, "It feels good to be supported by your hometown."
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