Blue and Gold talent show winner
The red curtains of Jones Auditorium set the scene for Angel Jimenez as she walks on stage to perform. Singing El Crucifijo de Piedra by Linda Ronstadt, Jimenez wows the audience. The mariachi singer holds inspiration in her heart as she puts on an award-winning performance.
Every year, Alpha Sigma Alpha at Texas A&M University-Kingsville hosts the homecoming Blue and Gold talent show during homecoming week, and this year Jimenez took home the top prize.
“The purpose of the university and Alpha Sigma Alpha hosting this event is to allow students to show off their talents in front of the university and local community,” Student Body Vice President and Alpha Sigma Alpha President Dakota Moberg said.
To determine the top three winners, judges rank each contestant based on categories for their performances. The total scores from each judge are then added together and the three winners are picked based on the highest scores.
Jimenez’s interest in mariachi music began at the age of 10, and she decided to audition for a folklorico at her middle school.
“That was when I really learned about the beautiful mariachi music. My dad was also a mariachi singer and hearing his late recordings inspire me even more,” Jimenez said.
Her father, the late Abel Jimenez, used to sing solo and in Mariachi Jimenez, his own mariachi, before he passed away.
Although she decided to enter the talent show to share her love for mariachi music, Jimenez did have some doubts.
“I wasn’t sure how everyone would like it, but I’m glad they did,” Jimenez said. “I definitely have some confidence issues, but I’m learning on improving my confidence slowly every day.”
Jimenez chose the Ronstadt song because it is one of her favorites and performed it years ago in another mariachi competition but did not place. Since then, Jimenez has had time to learn more about her voice and capabilities and decided to perform it at the talent show and earned first place.
“I felt very excited and happy [for Angel] because she loves to sing and share her love for music,” her mother Maravelia Jimenez said.
Despite the losses Angel and her family have faced, she is still supported by family and peers as she ventures off towards her mariachi career.
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