When you hear the sound of music of the festive culture on campus, only one person comes to mind at Berdoo. His name is Vincent Jauregui, a senior who is never a stranger to anyone on campus. With courage and musical talent, now you can hear more about what drives him. Tyro Times sat down with Jauregui to discuss his participation in the upcoming Mr. & Miss Cardinal contest. 

Matthew Garcia: Why have you signed up for Mr. & Miss Cardinal?   

Vincent Jauregi: Originally I didn’t want to do it. I actually performed for Mr. & Miss Cardinal for all the past three years and I saw what it was about and decided to give it a shot.

MG: How has SBHS affected your skills? 

VJ: Well, I perform a lot around the school so if anything they’ve improved it. I’ve gotten really used to performing in general, helping me a lot with stage fright.

MG: What has been your biggest influence in getting into musical instruments? 

VJ: I would say my older sister. She would perform a lot with the mariachi and I saw her on the violin and I was like, hey, I want to do that.

MG: What is your favorite instrument? 

VJ: My favorite instrument is the Mexican vihuela. It’s just my usual go-to. That’s the one I usually play with my group anyway and I would say that’s the one I’m most proficient in. A Mexican vihuela is like a smallish guitar with a rounded back that has five strings and is played in regional mariachi music.

MG: How has your family impacted your interest in hobbies?

VJ: Both my parents love the music, but it was really my sister that’s a musician. But both my parents have really pushed me to pursue music so they have been a big influence.

MG: What continues to motivate you with music?

VJ: I would say my motivation is probably my parents. My mom is very happy that I play and I like making my mom happy. 

MG: What has been your biggest accomplishment in your musical journey? 

VJ: I would say my biggest accomplishment is starting my own mariachi band. We have been playing for about a year now and we have advanced a lot.

MG: What do you believe is your biggest weakness? 

VJ: It might be my confidence. It can stretch over into being egotistical and a little bit arrogant, so my confidence can also evolve into arrogance and that gets in the way a bit. It makes me prideful and I don’t learn as much as I could.

MG: What do you want people to see of you outside of school? 

VJ: I like how they see me now. So I think if they keep that view of me the way they see me –  everyone knows me as the mariachi kid – so I think it would be pretty cool to stay like that.