EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Two students from the El Paso Independent School District have reached a significant milestone by advancing to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Choir.

Jillina Pomales of El Paso High School and Alexa Hernandez, a sophomore at Coronado High School, are finalists who will perform in San Antonio.

“I’m really happy to represent El Paso,” Pomales said.

Pomales is the first choir student from El Paso High School to qualify for All-State since 1981.

School Spotlight Alexa Hernandez

“I hope I really made them proud,” she added.

Hernandez said she was motivated after seeing former classmates reach All-State, which she found inspiring.

“Last year we had a lot of All-Staters at Coronado, and I knew I had to continue that,” Hernandez said. “It feels really good, and I feel proud of myself because I know it’s really, really hard.”

Hernandez said her training includes hours of practice to prepare for auditions. Singing in an ensemble, she said, is especially meaningful.

KFOX

“When we all blend our voices together, we all sound, I can’t even describe it. I get shivers,” Hernandez said.

For a complete list of all qualifying students for the TMEA All-State Choir, visit the TMEA website.

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