Lake View, Lincoln Mariachi Program Parents Thank San Angelo for Their Support

SAN ANGELO, TX — The following message landing in our inbox, and we thought we'd share it. It follows:

As parents of students enrolled in the Lake View High School and Lincoln Middle School mariachi programs, we applaud the many in San Angelo (and beyond) who support this excellent public school music program. Mariachi music needs no translation, it does not recognize barriers of any kind and it embraces us all because it seeks and speaks to our hearts and souls. It reminds us of our humanity as it sings to us about the majesty of our spiritual commonality.

Mariachi music transcends cultural boundaries, said Lake View’s mariachi director Rosendo Ramos. Now a recognized category in the University Scholastic League’s music programs in Texas, mariachi challenges students to learn complex music theory and the genre of music has become a vehicle that offers its students opportunities to excel and gain confidence to tackle any future challenges in all aspects of study or work.

Watch: The Lake View High School Mariachi Los Caciques at the 2018 UIL State Competition at UT Rio Grande Valley:
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A fund-raising effort, led by Mario Castillo, to purchase sombreros for the mariachi students turned into a mind enriching and fast-paced experience for the students and families. Soon the students were performing mariachi and opera selections with ease in San Angelo, in embassies in Washington, DC, and before Smithsonian folklore music officials.

Unselfish individuals made it possible for students to participate in educational enhancement experiences at home, in the nation’s capital and at one of the nation’s finest universities.

Noteworthy is the unconditional support of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and Mr. Howard Taylor. These individuals, and the opportunities that they made possible for the students, allowed students to find their voices, sparked their creativity and brought about discipline, self-confidence and increased team work.

We, students and parents, learned a fundamental truth. It’s that, “friendship is not about who you’ve known the longest. Rather, it’s about who walked into your life, and said, “I’m here for you.”

To the following that walked into our lives, thank you!

• Patsy Eckert
• Elaine A. Bridges
• Mayor Brenda Gunter
• Chris Gladstone and Elise Rabekoff (Washington, DC)
• Jud Gray
• Rene Alvarado
• Rudy Premetz
• John Castillo, Sr.
• Ted and Debbie Weatherford
• Carlos Rodriguez
• Cyndi Castillo
• John Castillo, Jr.
• Rodney and Beverly Mayfield
• Raymond Meza
• San Angelo Restaurant Association
• Lydia Ramon
• Oscar Casillas
• Howard Taylor, Director, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts
• Jan Mulkey
• John Fuentes
• David Hutchison (Washington, DC)
• Tony Villarreal
• Ben Livingston
• Del Velasquez
• Jeff Lisson
• Daniel Valenzuela
• Webb, Stokes & Sparks
• Hampton and Bonnie Beasley
• Albert and Cynthia Ward (Sonora, TX)
• Dr. Carl Dethloff, Superintendent, SAISD
• The SAISD Board Members
• Jim Raymond
• Betty Murray-Springer
• Lucie Hofheins
• Jeanette T. Driskell
• Gina Montoya
• Richard and Billie Birnie
• Esther and Julia Douthit
• Katrina Adams
• Daniel Chapa
• Johnny Silvas
• David Erickson
• Dr. Shirley Eoff and the Angelo State University Honors Program Students
• Rosendo Ramos

~ In Grateful Appreciation ~

Lake View High School Mariachi Students

• Belen Hernandez
• Noah Rochester
• Alvaro Ramos
• Klarissa Rodriguez
• Miguel Solis
• Joe Santillan

Lake View High School Mariachi Parents

• Andy Gutierrez and Jessica Alvarez
• Mr. and Mrs. Alfredo Ramos
• Mr. and Mrs. Martinez Lorenzo
• Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Rodriguez
• Mr. and Mrs. Quirino Romero
• Mr. and Mrs. Jose L. Santillan