The 26th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza has announced the awarding of $6,000 in scholarship prizes for the first ever virtual MVE National Vocal Competition that took place on Saturday, December 5, 2020. Thanks to our sponsors and thoughtful donors, the twelve winners throughout the middle school, high school and college/university categories were all able to secure awards that will help them continue their passion for mariachi music and also support their higher education endeavors.
This scholarship funds for the 26th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza were provided by Gonzaba Medical Group, H-E-B, Whataburger, Jesse and Irma Muñoz and the Miguel Guevara Memorial Scholarship Fund. See below for a full recap of awards received.
Grand Champion Vocalist
The highest award of the National Vocal Competition was given by presenting sponsor Gonzaba Medical Group to Grand Champion vocal winner Ashley Treviño of McAllen High School in McAllen, TX for her breathtaking performance of the song No Puedo Más. Ashley received a scholarship of $2,500 which will help fund her higher education after she graduates from high school this spring.
Middle School Category
The awards provided in the middle school category of the National Vocal Competition were provided by the Miguel Guevara Memorial Scholarship Fund. The prize amount awarded in this category totaled $650 and was distributed to the three middle school winners.
First place winner Isabella González of Roma Middle School in Roma, TX was awarded $300 for her spectacular performance and interpretation of El Pastor.
Pedrito Fregoso of Mountain View School in Moreno Valley, CA took home 2nd place in the middle school category and received $200 for his energetic performance of México Lindo y Querido.
Third place winner Melanie Terrazas of San Antonio’s Rayburn Middle School was given $150 for her touching performance of Qué Buena Suerte.
High School Category
Thanks to sponsor Whataburger and donors Jesse and Irma Muñoz the four winners of the National Vocal Competition’s high school category were able to walk with $1,100 in scholarship prizes.
Natalie Carmona of McAllen High School in McAllen, TX won first place for her jaw-dropping interpretation of Volver A Amar and was awarded $500.
Second place winner Roxeth Gonzalez of McAllen High School was given $300 for her stellar performance of Lo Que Fue No Será.
Third place saw a tie between Deborah Carrillo-Barquero of Del Sol Academy of the Performaning Arts in Las Vegas, NV for her touching performance of Rezaré and Jenika Montes of McAllen High School for her joyful interpretation of Río Crecido. Both winners were awarded scholarships for $150.
College/University Category
The scholarship awards in the college/university category of the National Vocal Competition were provided by San Antonio based grocer H-E-B. The prizes in this category were distributed amongst the four winners and totaled $1,750.
First place winner Yasmine Duenes of Las Vegas’s College of Southern Nevada was awarded $750 for her powerful ranchera style in Puñalada Trapera.
The University of Texas in Austin’s Cecilia Garcia took second place in this category when she beautifully interpreted Declarate Inocente and received $500.
Samanthan Marin (Mucho Corazón) of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, TX and Precious Carrasco (Que Creías) of the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas tied for third place in college/university category for their touching interpretations of their song selections. Both singers received a scholarship for $250.
With another successful competition in the books, we are proud to celebrate these talented performers and help them continue their love and passion for mariachi music. Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for your continued support of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza and Latino arts and education.
Once again congratulations to all the singers who participated in the 26th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competition. We look forward to seeing everyone in the future.
If you are interested in donating funds for future scholarships, please contact Cynthia Muñoz at cynthia@mariachimusic.com or consider donating to The Miguel Guevara Memorial Scholarship Fund.
