Mariachi bands from the Kern High School District are coming together to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in a night full of music and culture that will also help fund a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York.

The student performance is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. and will feature multiple school mariachi programs and choirs, including Del Oro High School's Mariachi Rayos de Oro, Arvin High and Foothill High.

For students like Klarissa Soto, a senior at Del Oro High School, the performance represents weeks of dedicated preparation.

"I'm kind of nervous, very excited though because we've been practicing this special for a while, so I'm really excited just to perform it," Soto said.

The event holds special cultural significance for many participants. Estefany Cano, also a

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