Student wins alma mater contest

Some students hearts’ swell with pride and joy when they hear their university’s alma mater performed, and for music education senior Roberto Garza, it will be especially satisfying.

The aspiring music teacher recently won the UTRGV Alma Mater Contest, sponsored by Student Activities last fall, and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Student Program Adviser Maria Almanza chaired the committee that coordinated the contest. She hopes students will appreciate the hard work Garza and other entrants put into the contest, as well as enjoy and find their own meaning in the school’s alma mater.

Students voted among the three finalists’ lyrics between Nov. 19 and 30 through V-link. Garza was announced as the winner of the contest during the President’s Holiday Reception, where his lyrics were declared as the official alma mater.

“His lyrics, although I didn’t officially have a say, I do think his lyrics were one of the best, which it doesn’t surprise me because he has a background in music,”Almanza replied when asked about the lyrics.

Garza gained experience in songwriting by composing for school and in his free time. He said he felt he had an advantage being a music education major and being a singer.

“Having experienced singing a lot of good writing and poetry, it gives you perspective on how things should be done,” he said.

Garza found his inspiration for the lyrics by revisiting his past school alma maters, and finding what UTRGV really meant to him by looking back on his favorite memories and moments.

“I was really trying to highlight all those key points and to represent pride and unity for our school,” he said.

Asked about how he felt after winning the contest, Garza replied that he felt immediate relief and happiness that his hard work had paid off.

“The most satisfying part is realizing that you’re going to be a part of school history, and I think that it’s going to mean a lot to students, and to just leave your mark in some way, shape or form,” Garza said. “And, it was just great to get to do that.”

Asked if he had any advice for other aspiring songwriters, Garza replied, “If there’s an inspiration, stick with it, keep doing it, and have patience, more than anything, a lot of patience. All ideas are good ideas, sometimes they just don’t always come at the right time.”