FEATURE: Ballet Folklorico, Mariachi Internacional, more represent TAMIU in WBCA parade
By Ana Vara
Assistant Editor
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2024
As the Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday Parade rolled into town, TAMIU’s Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Internacional programs represented campus in the festivities.
Amidst the many celebrations for George Washington’s birthday, the rainy day Feb. 17 parade greeted the team of dancers and the Recruitment Office; they were the 58th through 60th floats. Despite the gloomy weather, the dancers greeted paradegoers in traditional Mexican dresses and walked the length of the parade along with Recruitment Office representatives.
Ballet Folklorico members Kaitlyn Lozano, left, and Destiny Sanchez, pose in their Jalisco dresses on Feb. 16 during the George Washington Celebration parade in the downtown Laredo area.
“It’s our first time participating and we’re very excited,” TAMIU Ballet Folklorico Director Nayeli Lopez said. “[We planned to be] marching down, doing skirtwork.”
The folkloric dancers were accompanied by the TAMIU Police Department and the TAMIU Mariachi Internacional on the float.
“We were there to represent our Mexican states and we are so excited to represent TAMIU,” dancer Alexa Sanchez said. She added that they all felt “so excited, nervous. Of course it is cold, but that is not going to stop us.”
As the celebrations began, Sanchez’s energy radiated to all the dancers. She reminded them, “The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy every moment.”
The Office of Recruitment’s full staff was present, from directors to student mentors. Rodolfo Rendon, student worker at Office of Recruitment, Student Government Association vice president and Phi Iota Alpha fraternity member, was one of those who participated.
Ballet Folklorico member Alexa Sanchez wears her Jalisco dress on Feb. 16 during the George Washington Celebration parade in the downtown Laredo area.
“It [was] a bit cold and [we were] a little tired but [we] got the energy going,” Rendon said.
The float featured TAMIU’s famous clock tower.
“[It displayed] the bridge as the main centerpiece of the float, representing unity between the U.S. and Mexico,” Rendon said. “The javelinas and deer all make a debut in this float.”
TAMIU’s Mariachi Internacional aided Ballet Folklorico with its event appearance.
“It’s a great collaboration that we have with them,” Mariachi Internacional Vice President Mia Ramirez said. “We do many performances and concerts together. [It was] fun to get to play the music and have them dance. It’s a great opportunity to come and see both groups.”
Two violinists, two trumpet players and a guitarron player attended, including the team’s captain. Ramirez said they were “bummed [they wouldn’t] be able to play” due to the rain, as a safety precaution.
