Mariachi Heunachi was featured on the Here & Now Show on National Public Radio (NPR) on May 3rd.

The story by Emily Schwing, Inland Northwest Correspondent, included interviews with Ramon Rivera, Wenatchee High School Mariachi advisor, and seniors Sarahi Hernandez-Rubio and Rosa Espinoza both of whom will be the first in their family to attend college. The story discusses the accomplishments and expectations of the program along with their invitation from Paul Ryan, U.S. Speaker of the House, to perform in Washington D.C. next October.

“The fastest growing Mariachi music program outside of Mexico is in Washington state,” began the article. “A high school Mariachi band from Wenatchee has an award winning director and they’ve won a few themselves. Since the 18th century, Mariachi has been an integral part of Mexico’s music scene and most students here have Mexican roots. There aren’t many programs like this in the U.S.”

The article is available to read or listen to here. 

After hearing the NPR story, Mary Yu, Washington State Supreme Court Justice, made plans to visit the Wenatchee High School Mariachi program on May 12th. According to Rivera, Yu talked to the Mariachi students about leadership and the importance of higher education.

“These young talented musicians are dedicated to their education and to the dream of becoming great leaders – I left their high school completely inspired,” wrote Yu in a recent statement. “Ramon Rivera is an amazing teacher and director of the program and he so deserves our recognition!”