Carver High School Mariachi Acero Earns Sweepstakes, Advances to UIL State Contest

Students from Carver High School continue to make history for Aldine Independent School District, as Mariachi Acero earned the highest possible rating at a recent University Interscholastic League mariachi competition.

Mariachi Acero received a Sweepstakes rating — scores of 1, 1, and 1 from three adjudicators — at the 2026 Coastal Bend University Interscholastic League Mariachi Contest held Jan. 28 at Tomball High School. The achievement automatically advanced the group to the UIL Mariachi State Contest scheduled for Feb. 21.

The contest featured 17 high school mariachi programs from across the Houston area, including Klein, Houston ISD, Tomball, Humble, Katy, The Woodlands, Channelview, and Texas City.

Under the direction of Jaime Alanís, Mariachi Acero has earned State Bound status every year since 2022. The program is currently Aldine ISD’s only high school mariachi ensemble and continues to represent the district at the highest level across Texas.

“This is history being made in Aldine ISD’s mariachi program,” Alanís said. “Our students’ dedication and pride in their craft continue to open doors and set new standards for excellence.”

The Sweepstakes honor marks another milestone in the ongoing #AldineStory of student achievement through the arts.

Aldine ISD Superintendent LaTonya M. Goffney said the success of Mariachi Acero reflects years of intentional planning and belief in student opportunity.

“I could not be more proud of our Carver mariachi group, Acero, for earning Sweepstakes — straight 1s — at the recent UIL contest,” Goffney said. “This journey began in 2019, fueled by a vision to bring this opportunity to our students. We launched the program in 2020 with a small, dedicated group, and seeing it grow into an award-winning, state-bound program is the result of our team’s hard work. From a spark of an idea to state-level success, this is the #AldineStory.”