Ysleta Independent School District students delivered outstanding performances last month at the 2026 UIL State Mariachi Festival championships. Del Valle High School’s Los Conquistadores and Hanks High School’s Mariachi Los Trovadores received the festival’s best ratings—a Division I Superior—from all three judges.
Among all El Paso-area mariachi ensembles that competed at the state level, Ysleta ISD students secured two of the coveted Outstanding Individual Performer awards at the competition, now in its seventh year as an official UIL contest.
Two other talented Ysleta ISD mariachi groups—Eastwood High School and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy—earned Division II Excellent ratings at the state championships, held February 18-20, featuring performances from 97 ensembles representing schools across Texas.
For earning a Division I Superior rating, Del Valle High School’s Los Conquistadores, under the direction of Valentin Gonzalez, and Hanks High School’s Mariachi Los Trovadores, under the direction of Karla Urias, each received a group award and individual gold medals for every member.
Outstanding Individual Performer awards went to:
· Vocalist Jose Pablo Carillo (Del Valle HS)
· Flute player Julian Grueber (Del Valle HS)
Ysleta ISD mariachi ensembles that earned a rating of Excellent are:
· Eastwood High School’s Mariachi Reyna
· Young Women’s Leadership Academy’s Mariachi Cielo Azul
During the state contest, each mariachi ensemble received a rating of Division I, II, III, IV, or V from each of the three judges, in accordance with the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules.
In addition, after their performance, each ensemble participated in a 30-minute clinic with a nationally recognized mariachi educator or performer. These sessions focused on musicianship and the artistry of making music.