Fair 'kids' share fun generation after generation
JERRY AULDS

The energy, excitement and decibel level at the Wharton County Youth Fair's kid-packed awards banquet back in the late 1980s rose to such a crescendo that many in attendance feared the din might bring the roof and rafters of the old Crescent Gym tumbling down.

Fortunately, before the shaking ceiling plunged into our barbecue and banana pudding, Providence intervened and the hubbub waned, replaced by admiring glances and whispered "I know her, she's so nice," as teenage role model Staci Glaze made her way to the stage, following the announcement that she was the recipient of the Youth Fair's top scholarship that year.

My recollection of the awe and respect tendered to Staci, the daughter of long-time Youth Fair volunteer Grace Glaze and the late Gene "Bugger" Glaze, on that now-distant April was triggered as I recently moved around the county recording high school FFA members and 8-yearold 4-Hers about their hopes for the projects they will be showing at the 2008 edition of the Wharton County Youth Fair.

They now, and Staci then, validate the hopes and dreams of all the parents, volunteers, Ag teachers, Ag Extension Agents and 4-H and FFA leaders who sweated through the "It's raining - It must be fair time" early years of the fair.

What they had hoped and earnestly believed was that the Staci Glazes' of the various years' fairs would inspire first, and then pass on the inspiration.

I did a checkup on Staci Glaze, now Staci Frerich. Staci and her husband Toby, both Texas A&M graduates, now live in Sinton. They have two children, 9-year-old son Tristan and 6-year-old daughter Megan.

For several years, Staci was a stayat home mom, but recently she began working out of her home for the Texas A&M Soil and Crop Department as a - guess what? - student advisor.

Staci and Toby also are volunteers in the San Patricio County show. Tristan is in 4-H and bound for district in three categories: fashion show, photography and a "Share The Fun" group.

Meanwhile, daughter Megan is a Cloverleaf Kid, takes dancing and can't wait to "Share The Fun."

In between her labor of love with the Wharton County Youth Fair, Staci's mom Grace Glaze provided the inside details for this "Where Is She Now?" column.

And I'm right back where I was in the late 1980s: "I know Staci and she is so nice!"

Pass it on. See you at the Fair.