Soldier Surprise

Anthony David Garza hugs his father E4 Army Specialist Anthony Garza after surprising him at his school during pep rally Friday Sept. 20, 2013 at Corina Pena Elementary School in Penitas. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com E4 Army Specialist Anthony Garza, left, gets escorted by clerk Vanessa Alvarez as he prepares to surprise his son, Anthony David Gara during pep rally Friday Sept. 20, 2013 at Corina Pena Elementary School in Penitas. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Students from Corina Pena Elementary School shout and wave posters as E4 Army Specialist Anthony Garza surprises Anthony David Garza during pep rally Friday Sept. 20, 2013 at Corina Pena Elementary School in Penitas. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Anthony David Garza hugs his father E4 Army Specialist Anthony Garza after surprising him at his school during pep rally Friday Sept. 20, 2013 at Corina Pena Elementary School in Penitas. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls are viewed by attendees during the Empty Bowls Luncheon by the Food Bank RGV Thursday Sept. 19, 2013 at the Pharr Events Center in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Chocolate strawberries by Cynthia's Creations Chocolate are displayed for attendees to eat during the Empty Bowls Luncheon by the Food Bank RGV Thursday Sept. 19, 2013 at the Pharr Events Center in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A chocolate strawberry with the words "Empty Bowls" by Cynthia's Creations Chocolate is displayed for attendees to eat during the Empty Bowls Luncheon by the Food Bank RGV Thursday Sept. 19, 2013 at the Pharr Events Center in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Plates with designs are displayed during the silent auction during the Empty Bowls Luncheon by the Food Bank RGV Thursday Sept. 19, 2013 at the Pharr Events Center in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

El Grito

El Grito de Independencia y Feria Artesanal Sunday Sept. 15, 2013 at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A dancer performs during El Grito de Independencia y Feria Artesanal Sunday Sept. 15, 2013 at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com El Grito de Independencia y Feria Artesanal Sunday Sept. 15, 2013 at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

McAllen Rowe vs McAllen Memorial

McAllen Rowe's Ryela Rodriguez, center, celebrates after scoring against McAllen Memorial Saturday Sept. 14, 2013 at McAllen Memorial High School in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen Rowe's Mayda Garcia reaches for the ball against McAllen Memorial Saturday Sept. 14, 2013 at McAllen Memorial High School in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen Rowe's Victoria Garcia celebrates after defeating McAllen Memorial Saturday Sept. 14, 2013 at McAllen Memorial High School in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen Memorial's Morgan Garcia hits the ball against McAllen Rowe Saturday Sept. 14, 2013 at McAllen Memorial High School in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen Memorial's Allie Nitsch, left, and Victoria Brandenburg reach to block the ball against McAllen Rowe Saturday Sept. 14, 2013 at McAllen Memorial High School in McAllen. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Edinburg Economedes vs Edinburg North

Edinburg North's Matt Whitesides runs past Edinburg Economedes' Israel Gomez Friday Sept. 13, 2013 at cats Stadium in Edinburg. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Edinburg North's Fidel Orozco celebrates after stopping Edinburg Economedes' from getting a first down Friday Sept. 13, 2013 at cats Stadium in Edinburg. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Edinburg Economedes' Hugo Reyes Paz runs past Edinburg North defenders Friday Sept. 13, 2013 at cats Stadium in Edinburg. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Edinburg Economedes' Ivan Luna gets tackled down by Edinburg North defense Friday Sept. 13, 2013 at cats Stadium in Edinburg. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Fans cheer as they watch Edinburg Economedes play against Edinburg North Friday Sept. 13, 2013 at cats Stadium in Edinburg. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Novillero

Alberto Penilla poses for a photo Thursday Sept. 12, 2013 in McAllen. Penilla is a novillero, which is a junior bullfighter. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Grulla vs PSJA Southwest

PSJA Southwest's Carlos Portales throws the ball against Grulla Thursday Sept. 12, 2013 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com PSJA Southwest's Hector Ortega runs past Grulla defenders Thursday Sept. 12, 2013 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com PSJA Southwest's Hector Ortega runs past Grulla defenders Thursday Sept. 12, 2013 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Grulla's Troy Trillayes reaches for the ball against PSJA Southwest Thursday Sept. 12, 2013 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood performs to a crowded arena during the Stars Extravaganza Friday Sept. 6. 2013 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Carrie Underwood performs to a crowded arena during the Stars Extravaganza Friday Sept. 6. 2013 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Carrie Underwood performs to a crowded arena during the Stars Extravaganza Friday Sept. 6. 2013 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Carrie Underwood performs to a crowded arena during the Stars Extravaganza Friday Sept. 6. 2013 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Carrie Underwood performs to a crowded arena during the Stars Extravaganza Friday Sept. 6. 2013 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Butterflies

Two queen butterflies are located at the National Butterfly Center Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013 in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A crimson patch caterpillar is located at the National Butterfly Center Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013 in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A tawny emperor butterfly is located at the National Butterfly Center Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013 in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com A queen butterfly is located at the National Butterfly Center Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013 in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Roma vs Donna North

Roma's Kassandra Rocha celebrates after scoring against Donna North Tuesday Sept. 03, 2013 at Donna North High School in Donna. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Roma's Kassandra Rocha hits the ball against Donna North Tuesday Sept. 03, 2013 at Donna North High School in Donna. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Roma's Yosalin Barajas hits the ball against Donna North Tuesday Sept. 03, 2013 at Donna North High School in Donna. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Labor Day Protest

Alejandro Guzman shouts during a Labor Day protest Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, in McAllen. Demonstrators protested what they deemed unfair labor practices and other labor issues. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Protesters shout and hold a sign during a protest Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, in McAllen. Demonstrators protested what they deemed unfair labor practices and other labor issues. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Felipe Tovar holds a sign during a protest Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, in McAllen. Demonstrators protested what they deemed unfair labor practices and other labor issues. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Protesters shout and hold signs during a protest Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, in McAllen. Demonstrators protested what they deemed unfair labor practices and other labor issues. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

McAllen Rowe vs Sharyland

Shayrland's Maddie Garza celebrates after scoring against McAllen Rowe during the Sharyland Invitational Saturday Aug. 31, 2013 at Sharyland High School in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Shayrland's Kendal Heath hits the ball against McAllen Rowe during the Sharyland Invitational Saturday Aug. 31, 2013 at Sharyland High School in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Shayrland's Maddie Garza, left, and Nora Monie reach to block the ball against McAllen Rowe during the Sharyland Invitational Saturday Aug. 31, 2013 at Sharyland High School in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Shayrland's Paige Jones sets the ball up against McAllen Rowe during the Sharyland Invitational Saturday Aug. 31, 2013 at Sharyland High School in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Shayrland's Paige Jones, right, and Kendal Heath celebrate after scoring against McAllen Rowe during the Sharyland Invitational Saturday Aug. 31, 2013 at Sharyland High School in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com McAllen Rowe's Mayda Garcia blocks the ball against Sharyland during the Sharyland Invitational Saturday Aug. 31, 2013 at Sharyland High School in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com

Brownsville Hanna vs Sharyland

Sharyland's Rudy Tornero, top, and Aaron Serna tackle Brownsville Hanna's Richard Martinez during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Brownsville Hanna's Steven Solis tackles Sharyland's Mauricio Martinez during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Sharyland's Joe Garza tackles Brownsville Hanna's Lucas Olivares during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Brownsville Hanna's Travis Grienier gets tackled down by Sharyland's defenders during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Sharyland's Brandon Garza catches the ball against Brownsville Hanna during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Sharyland's Rudy Tornero reacts after stoping a play against Brownsville Hanna during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Sharyland's Christian Martinez, top, celebrates after scoring against Brownsville Hanna during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Sharyland's Loredo Guerra runs past Brownsville Hanna defenders during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com Sharyland's Lance Madden dives for the first down against Brownsville Hanna during the first half Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at Rattler Stadium in Mission. photo by Gabe Hernandez/gabrielh@themonitor.com