Elisa, performed in the first Las Vegas Mariachi Conference in the fall of 2004. After her passing in 2006, her brother Xavier was hired by Clark County School District to be a mariachi teacher for middle school.

In May of 2008, the first college scholarship was awarded in Las Vegas.

Qualifications:

• Student must be a graduating senior
• Student must have been accepted to an institution of higher learning and present letter of acceptance.
• Two letters of recommendation from teachers or people in the community must be written on behalf of the applicant.
• School transcripts must be part of the application
• Must submit an essay on their “Dreams and Goals” (200 word minimum)

Evaluation Process:

• Recommendations are made by mariachi curriculum teachers.
• Bobby and Terri Gastellum evaluate the above criteria and interview the prospective candidates.
• A $1000 college scholarship is awarded to student(s) with highest scores. (An average of 2 scholarships are awarded each year)

CCSD Scholarship Recipients: