12-02-2025
OHS Mariachi students heading for state
Feb. 11—About 17 Odessa High School students hope to be playing their way to victory at the UIL Mariachi Competition in Seguin Feb. 20-22.
The OHS group will perform at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21.
Isaias Pena, a 17-year-old senior, has been in Mariachi since eighth grade. He said he feels it is the most interesting genre of music.
Pena added that it feels "very wonderful" to be advancing to state. He plays the Guitarrón, which he said is like a bass.
"It's my first and last year heading to the UIL State Mariachi Competition. It's still surreal; everyone working their hardest just so we can make state and possibly get a Division I. It's a very nice feeling going to state," Pena said.
He added that being part of the UIL competition has helped him push himself more. It also helps him in his academic classes.
In terms of his future, Pena said Mariachi has taught him that with enough practice and work ethic, you can achieve anything.
"It's helped me a lot and I usually doubt myself," but now he has confidence, Pena said.
The group has bonded big time.
"Before, I rarely talk to the others, and now (it's) like, one whole big family. ... It really has helped us a lot," Pena said.
He added that the competition has solidified the group and helped them improve their relationships with one another and it shows in their music.
"We all trust one another. We trust each other and ... we all rely on each other. That's what I love most about this music. We all rely on one another. No one's left out," Pena said.
He added that he's planning to go to Houston Community College. His dream would be to study economics and business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Or if he decides on biology, he may go to University of Houston and try to join the Mariachi program there.
"I want to continue playing the instrument I play," Pena said.
Adaleigh Cruz, a 16-year-old junior, who plays the violin has been in Mariachis since she was a freshman. Like Pena, she has never been to the state Mariachi competition before.
"I feel excited. I have confidence that we're going to do good and we're going get state champions, because we've been working really hard these past couple weeks," Cruz said.
Both of her sisters were in Mariachi, so she decided to join.
"It's a lot of fun because you get to meet new people. Ever since I joined the varsity class, I've made new friends and I've made very close connections with the people in my class," Cruz said.
She added that since they have been going to after-school practice every day it's helped improve their sound.
"I think that's how we got a 1 at region, and we're working to improve and hopefully get all in 1's when we go to state," Cruz said.
The group involves teamwork which is very useful for group projects and will help her in the future.
"Teamwork is a very important thing that is part of life. We have to be prepared for anything," Cruz said.
She added that she has been practicing at home and doing her best to work with everyone to make sure that they are "connecting our sound."
"State is a good experience because it helps grow bonds and it helps strengthen teamwork skills. I've noticed that we've been working a lot more as a team these past couple weeks," Cruz said.
Reuben Pina, a 17-year-old senior, has been in Mariachi since sixth grade. He plays the vihuela. It is physically similar to the Guitarrón but on a smaller scale, the West Music site said.
"For me, it's crazy because I've never been to state," Pina said.
But he feels confident about it. Pina said all the work has been worth the effort because it's helped him learn how to work with others and blend musical parts.
He's changing his style to make it sound better.
If he wins at state, Pina said he thinks it will open more doors for him in the Mariachi world.
Pina said he's thinking about going to University of Texas Permian Basin or Odessa College and study architecture or welding.
He will keep playing in a band called Estilo Deluxx that he's been in for two or three years.
"It helps you to learn how to memorize songs and learn new chords," Pina said.
Moises Acedo, a 17-year-old senior, plays the guitar and has been in Mariachi for four years.
"It's been part of my culture to be in Mariachi and I decided to do it because it's something new I (wanted) to try," Acedo said.
Acedo, also a track athlete, said he feels going to state is a great opportunity to build a higher standard for his future.
"I believe I'm going to keep playing," he added.
He added that being in Mariachi has helped him stay on top of his grades and keep up with his classes so he can compete.
Acedo said he listens to Mariachi music outside of school.
"That's what I hear every day," he added.
He plans to attend Odessa College to be a diesel technician.
Jerimie Hernandez, OHS Mariachi instructor, said the last time the group went to state was 2023. This will be the eighth time OHS has advanced to state. He estimated that 17 students will be traveling to Seguin.
There are about 25 on the varsity Mariachis.
Hernandez said this group of students is really good. A lot of them are seniors and it makes him happy that they have told him they wished they had joined sooner.
"They're really really good kids. They really inspired me this year. I've really enjoyed seeing their camaraderie, the relationships that they've built with each other. It's through that camaraderie and the relationships that they've built with each other that they've been able to push each other to higher levels in their skill," he added.
The group has come together because they faced some setbacks in getting to the region UIL and had to make some adjustments.
"They had to make some adjustments to their song selections and then many of them realized that even though they've been in Mariachi for a long time that they really had to pick up the skill level here. They came to know and understand what skills they didn't have for UIL expectations. They really did step it up," Hernandez said. "They began asking a lot more questions. They came in for extra support after school, asking how they can make improvements in their playing. They've done a really good job with it. I'm really proud of them."
Having heard improvement every day, Hernandez said he's feeling good about their chances at state.
"I'm hearing improvement every day, improvement in their techniques, in their corrections. Winning is always great, but what I'll be really happy with is just that they will have had the opportunity to go and perform at high levels and showcase their talent that we have in our community," he added.
OHS will be competing against about 97 schools.
In the past, Hernandez said there were about 70 schools that participated.
"There's been exponential growth in Mariachi programs throughout the state," he added. "But I know that a lot of school districts are jumping on to having Mariachi programs for their schools. ... It's really nice seeing, at the contest, the cultural diversity, even in the groups, because it's not limited to just Hispanics. You're seeing people from different cultures participating in Mariachi. That's really awesome."
Hernandez said he's really proud of the students because they have sacrificed a lot to get where they are.
"They have to balance their academic classes (and) other extracurricular programs. Some of them have really rigorous academics. They balance those things really well to do this that they love so much," he added.
He noted that they are really thankful for the support from the administration, school district and community.
"I'm really proud of the kids in the way that they're learning things that are going to help them with skills beyond this competition; skills that are invaluable in any field. They've learned a lot about time management. We've learned a lot about building their confidence and their leadership abilities, especially. That's going to serve them well in both college and their future careers," Hernandez said.
