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San Fernando mariachi students honored after Smithsonian Folklife performance
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Summary
San Fernando honored Mariachi Master Apprentice Program and Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando for representing the city at the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and for ongoing cultural and mentoring work.
Mayor Mary Mendoza presented certificates of recognition to the Mariachi Master Apprentice Program (MMAP) and Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando for representing the city at the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.
The recognition highlighted the group's role in preserving Mexican mariachi traditions and mentoring local youth. "It is my pleasure to recognize the Mariachi master apprentice program and Mariachi Tesoro de San Fernando, who proudly represented the city of San Fernando at the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC," Mayor Mary Mendoza said.
Why it matters: Council members said the program connects students with master musicians, preserves cultural heritage, and brings national attention to San Fernando. The mayor noted the festival is a national celebration of cultural heritage held on the National Mall.
Program leaders and students described the Smithsonian invitation as a rare opportunity. A student, Esteban, said, "My name is Esteban. I think all of us here, especially, like, most of the kids are very honored to be representatives for the city of San Fernando," and described traveling outside California and performing alongside ensembles from across the country. A MMAP representative who addressed the council thanked the city for 25 years of support and singled out longtime program leader Virginia Dedaker, saying she was the "mastermind" behind the program's success.
Council members also noted the program will perform locally on Aug. 30 as part of the city's birthday celebration. "In fact, August 30, we'll be right here in our own backyard performing," the MMAP representative said.
Supporting details: Mayor Mendoza and other council members recognized individual student names listed during the presentation and thanked chaperones and instructors. The council framed the honor as both recognition of artistic achievement and of intergenerational mentorship.
No formal actions or votes were taken; the item was a ceremonial recognition on the agenda. The remarks and student comments occurred during the presentations portion of the special meeting.
