Recognizing Apache Jazz Ensemble

Floor Speech

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Mrs. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today with great pride to celebrate the incredible students of Apache Jazz Ensemble from Nogales High School in Arizona's Seventh Congressional District.

Earlier this spring, I had the joy of attending the Mingus Jazz Festival in Nogales and listening to the ensemble's performance. Their talent, energy, and love for music were absolutely unforgettable. I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet the students and hear their stories firsthand.

Since then, these remarkable young musicians traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete at Festival Disney, where they earned a superior rating with an outstanding score of 97.7, taking first place in their division and winning the prestigious Gold Mickey award, the highest honor awarded across all instrumental divisions.

These students represented Nogales and southern Arizona with excellence, discipline, and heart. Their achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication of their director, Anthony Belletti, and the power of music education to inspire and uplift our communities.

Madam Speaker, to Apache Jazz Ensemble, Nogales High School, and all of your friends, fans, and families: ``Congratulations''; ``muchisimas felicidades.'' Thank you for making Arizona proud.

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