In 1994 a group of Mexican-American students at Roma High School, with only one thing in common, music, got together and decided to contribute to their culture’s roots, honoring it in the best way possible, by singing to the world the joy of mariachi music.

"The Mariachi Roma began as a pilot program back in the summer of 1994. That year, at the beginnig of the fall semester, a command performance was given to the School Board. Seeing its success, the school decided to fund the program permanently.

That same year the Mariachi competed in U.I.L. and was awarded a 1st. Division standing. The mariachii also competed during the McAllen Fest for that year. It was not until the second year that MAriachi Roma was able to land a second place in that same competition; third year, we were awarded first place and fourth year, grand champions. This competion has always been the measure by which we have evaluated our success, however, ever since this summer we have broadened our horizons by competing outsideour immediate area.

Initially, the mariachi was formed of mostly students from Mexico. Soem students had such ties with Mexico that they lived in that country and crossed the border every day to attend classes in Roma. It was not until the second year of the program, that students of the second and third Hispanic generation and more, joined the group. It was not easy at first to attract members at first since most of our youthh were raised under a chicano-tejano culture which related mostly to tejano music. Today things are very different. Now, everyone wants to join the mariachi."