Alumni Spotlight: Maya Aparicio

When Maya Aparicio joined Mariachi Bonito Tech-Alitlán at Advanced Learning Academy (ALA) in seventh grade, she couldn’t have predicted where mariachi would take her. Now a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, Maya has joined Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán.

From performing in front of more than 100,000 fans at UT football games to playing “La Fiesta Mexicana” with the Dallas Winds Concert and recently performing at a Spurs game in Austin, Maya has had the opportunity to perform at venues she never thought possible. Along the way, she has continued to grow as a performer while learning from others.

“Mariachi has given me an outlet to express myself creatively between the repetition of studying and attending lectures,” Maya shared.

After graduating this past spring, Maya began pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science at UT Austin. As an ALA alumna, Maya recalls that the problem-solving mentality and open-mindedness she developed at ALA have helped her navigate her first semester as a college student.

Maya has taken on a challenging course load in STEM this semester, relying on her time-management skills, communicating effectively to advocate for herself when she needs help, and utilizing on-campus resources to support her studies. She credits her time at ALA with helping her develop the skills that are contributing to her success in college.

Maya’s experiences as both a mariachi performer and a successful student are a testament to the opportunities that coexist at CAST Schools. Students are empowered to pursue extracurricular activities they are passionate about while attending schools that prepare them for success in whatever comes next.

Looking ahead, Maya plans to continue thriving in college, pursue an internship focused on sustainability and environmental issues, and explore different paths in environmental science, including policy, research, and fieldwork.

In just a few months at UT Austin, Maya has already experienced so many exciting opportunities, and she looks forward to what the future holds.

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