Incoming UA freshmen get a head start on college education

By Jose R. Estrada
The chronicle
UA Journalism Diversity Workshop



Out-of-town and local incoming freshmen moved into the Gila Residence Hall for the New Start summer program on June 6, marking the first day of the six-week program.
New Start, a program designed to prepare minority students academically and socially for college, was started in 1969 by University of Arizona students, faculty and staff, because of the belief that the UA had limited resources for the transition from high school to college. Initially, the program was designed to include only minority students, but it now expands to all students.
“I’m anxious because it’s a new start in my life and I’m excited I will be away from home,” said Tashina Machain, who plans to major in pre-physiology.
Out of the 500 students who applied, 257 students were accepted. Out-of-state students who were accepted stay in the residence hall.
“I’m very confident this program will benefit me,” said Steve Dudley, a student from Illinois who plans to major in pharmacy. Moreover, he said, “I like the weather.”
The program allows students to earn up to six units of college credit for $200. Normally, the UA tuition for six credit hours is $1,587, and Pima Community College charges $278.
“I think the New Start program is a great way for my daughter to get a head start on her college education,” said Sandra Alcorta, the parent of a student who hopes to major in journalism. “Financially, the program will definitely help. For only $200 she is able to get six units of credit, which is just great for us parents.”
The students are placed into summer courses according to their math and English placement scores, along with the students’ declared major. Class begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at noon each day. In addition to core classes, every student is enrolled in orientation and transition workshops where they are able to receive two units of credit. Previously, the workshops were required but no credit was given. At the workshop, peer advisers teach the students success strategies for college, and each student is given a textbook especially designed for New Start.
Numerous student-centered activities are offered after classes, including leadership workshops, community-service events, tutoring service and hall programs.
“The activities are offered after classes so students are able to transition not only academically but socially also,” said Judy Kiyama, assistant director

By Jose R. Estrada
The chronicle
UA Journalism Diversity Workshop

The UA girl’s softball team was greeted by fans at the McKale Center for winning the 2007 NCAA World Series back to back on June 6.

Some of my pictures of the 2007 UA girls sofball team on June 6th.

Mariachi Milagro goes solo after 10 years

With no director, the independent mariachi group Milagro (or “miracle” in English),
has been able to combine violins, trumpets, guitars and a guitarron – a small-scale acoustic bass – into a sound that can be fully appreciated only in person.
Over the past 10 years, the group of teenagers has competed together, lost members, gained members, had four directors, recorded a CD and almost stopped playing. But Milagro’s members still continue to play but now with a different purpose — fun.
Mariachi Milagro started in 1997, when Alfredo Valenzuela, mariachi director for Davis Elementary, was approached by a group of recent graduates from his mariachi class. Along with the students’ parents, they persuaded Valenzuela to continue to direct them, even though they would be moving on to different schools.
“At Davis Elementary, being in mariachi was the thing to do. Everyone did it,” said violinist Adrienne Perez, who will attend the University of Arizona this fall. “We wanted to continue to play after we finished second grade because it was like our sport that we were passionate about.”
After being involved with Davis Elementary and another mariachi group, Valenzuela found a director that was capable of teaching the group. In six months, the group had three directors until the 40-member group was finally given to Alfredo Valenzuela’s son Jaime Valenzuela. For eight years, Jaime Valenzuela prepared the group for competitions and traveled with the group to places including New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Colorado and New Mexico for conferences.
In addition to traveling and competing, the group was booked once a week to play at events like quincañeras – when a Hispanic girl turns 15 years old – weddings and other formal occasions.
Confident that the group could lead itself, Jaime Valenzuela decided to retire as director of Milagro in December of 2006. There were many reasons why he decided to leave, including that some members dropped out and the pressure of a busy schedule. The main reason he left was because the group had transformed into young adults and could learn on their own.
“There were apprentices in the group that could practice and organize on their own,” Valenzuela said. “The group had reached their peak and the only way to go when you have reached your peak is stay at the same spot or go down.”
With 10 members in the group at the time Valenzuela stepped down, four members dropped out.
Now, with six members left, the group has a new purpose of playing for fun instead of being a show group. Twice a week they practice in the quiet room at Armory Park Retirement Center, with three original members taking a subtle leadership role.
Lisa Perez, parent of Adrienne Perez, occasionally books the group to play for various occasions. Charging $250 dollars an hour, the group is able to buy new Mariachi outfits, called charros, once a year and divide the rest of the money amongst themselves.
After an hour of practice, Jaime Valenzuela occupies the quiet room with his new group, Mariachi Tesoro, meaning, “treasure”. With ages ranging from 9 to 13 years old, Valenzuela hopes to transform the group to be like Milagro.
“I hope to make the group as successful as Milagro,” Valenzuela said. “This time I hope to make them less as a show group and keep as many members involved as I can. I want to keep them as a family and stay with them as long as I can.”
Chelye Smith, a recent graduate of Pima Vocational High School and Perez, both violinists for Milagro, stay after practice to help Valenzuela direct the new generation of Mariachi.
Though various Mariachi groups have approached members of Milagro to join, all members agree that they will only play in the same group but do not know how long the group will last. The group welcomes anyone who would like to join, because with six members they are a small group for a Mariachi.