Presidio band students excel at state competition for 22 consecutive time

Contreras takes the gold

PRESIDIO – Band students from Presidio High School competed at the UIL State Solo and Ensemble contest in Austin last weekend. It was the 22nd consecutive year Presidio student musicians have advanced to state. Only those who received a first division rating at the regional level advanced to Austin. Senior Ivan Contreras took the spotlight by receiving a gold medal for his alto saxophone solo – an accomplishment that band director Lucy Ferguson described as “pretty difficult.” Other students received silver medals for their solos, including Karyme Valdez, senior; Ceasar Armendariz, senior; Ricardo Chapa, sophomore; and Jazmin Deanda, junior. A percussion ensemble earned a division two rating, made up of Ricardo Chapa; Adrian Escontrias, sophomore; Jazmin Deanda; Robert Reyna, sophomore; Jose Armendariz, freshman; and Pedro Sanchez, freshman. The following ensembles earned division three ratings: Flute quartet made up of Karyme Valdez; Yaritza Garcia, junior; Alejandra Valles, freshman; and Adriana Sanchez, freshman. Saxophones: Ivan Contreras; Ismael Carrasco, junior; Omar Udave, junior; and Desirae Lujan, junior. Trumpets: Homero Ramos, senior; Alejandra Armendariz, freshman; Alexis Contreras, sophomore; and Isabel Subia, freshman. Trombones: Ceasar Armendariz; Sebastian Madrid, sophomore; Anais Valdivia, freshman; and Jesse Quiroz, freshman. Mrs. Ferguson has been preparing students for competition for many years now. She said the winners “took it very seriously and worked really hard. They performed really well and represented Presidio with honor.”