A trio of students from McAllen ISD will soon be performing on a national stage. They advanced to the 32nd Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Semi-Finals.
“We are incredibly proud of McAllen High School Mariachi Oro junior Yareli Cano, senior Isabel Garza-Johnson, and Travis Middle School 7th grader Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar, who have earned their place among the nation’s top young mariachi vocalists,” McAllen High Mariachi Oro Instructor Alex Trevino. “This achievement is a testament to their continued dedication, hard work, musical excellence, and commitment to their craft.”
Out of more than 400 vocal contestants nationwide, these students delivered stellar, polished performances to secure their spots in the next round of this prestigious national vocal competition which is considered the largest and most competitive in the United States.
The National Semi-Finals and Finals will be December 3-5 at the Lila Cockrell Theatre in San Antonio. The students will compete for the opportunity to advance to the finals and compete across all divisions including elementary, middle school, high school, & college/university. They will vie for the coveted title of “Best in the US National Vocal Grand Champion,” along with thousands of dollars in scholarships and nationwide performance opportunities awarded to all finalists.
Over the past 10 years, McAllen High has celebrated three National Vocal Grand Champions, each earning the prestigious distinction of being crowned the nation’s best mariachi vocalist and each receiving a $5,000 scholarship. These accomplishments opened up performance opportunities across some of the nation’s most illustrious venues such as the Detroit Opera House, The Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, performance halls in Denver, Colorado, California, and others.
“Bringing home three national champion vocal titles in 10 years is more than any other school in the entire nation and an extraordinary legacy of vocal excellence, musical storytelling, and interpretation that continues to inspire and lead the way while setting the gold standard for mariachi programs across the United States,” Trevino said.
These include McAllen High’s Kamryn Danielle Ramirez in 2015, Ashley Nicole Trevino in 2020 and Allyson Sophia Contador, who won as a freshman, in 2025.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a 2026 winner of the state’s Postsecondary Readiness Distinction. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 19,500 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).