SAN ANTONIO – The latest episode of Pickup Lines features Miss Fiesta 2026 Julia Enriquez. For Enriquez, serving the community isn’t just part of the role — it’s been a lifelong calling shaped by family, culture and her West Side upbringing.
Enriquez attended St. John Bosco before later graduating from Great Hearts. Known among friends and family for her outgoing personality, she describes herself simply as “a happy person.”
She is the oldest of five siblings and said the experience of helping care for them helped shape her sense of responsibility early on.
Enriquez will begin law school in August and hopes to one day become an attorney, following the example set by her father and uncle. Her long-term goal includes opening a nonprofit organization focused on helping underserved communities.
Her inspiration comes from work she already does with the Mexican American Unity Council, where she assists residents and advocates for affordable housing. Through that work, she has seen firsthand how language barriers can create serious challenges.
“One of the biggest problems is that many people who primarily speak Spanish sign legal documents without fully understanding what they say,” Enriquez said. “Taking the time to explain what’s happening is something I want to do.”
She also hopes to expand access to legal education, which she said many residents on the West Side don’t have.
“Legal education is not very accessible,” she said. “To know that I can be part of helping with that — I love it.”
Much of Enriquez’s motivation comes from her family, particularly her grandmother, Julia, whom she was named after. Her grandmother lived with the family in her later years while battling Alzheimer’s disease before her death in 2023. Enriquez said caring for her left a lasting impact.
“I see my grandmother in the people that I help,” she said. “Helping elderly people is my way of feeling connected to her.”
Like many San Antonio kids, Enriquez grew up dreaming about Fiesta, even staging shoebox parades in elementary school.
“I remember picking which Barbie doll I wanted to be Miss Fiesta,” she said.
Now, she’s experiencing the real thing — complete with nearly 20 dresses, parade appearances and plenty of community events.
What she’s most excited about is meeting people.
“Just interacting with people, San Antonians and people from all over who come here for Fiesta,” she said.
Even as she prepares for law school and a demanding career, Enriquez said she has no plans to leave the city that raised her.
“100%,” she said when asked if she wants to stay in San Antonio. “It’s just home.”
Watch the full Pickup Lines with Julia Enriquez in the video player above.
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Ernie Zuniga started Pickup Lines, a digital talk show, straight from his vehicle. The segments feature a diverse range of guests, including executives, small business owners, and everyday individuals, as they share personal journeys, news, and stories.