HOUSTON – A University of Houston-Downtown student has earned a spot in the finals for a mariachi vocal contest. Senior Jimmy Arredondo, who is one of the vocalists on UHD’s mariachi group “Los Caimanes” (Spanish for “The Gators”), will be the only Houstonian to compete in the 26th Annual Mariachi Vargas National Vocal Competition, the largest and long-running mariachi festival in the nation, taking place this Saturday virtually. Arredondo submitted a production from his idol and four-time Latin Grammy winner and mariachi singer Pedro Fernandez “El Aventurero” (The Adventurer). “His work ethnic, sheer determination and resilience has got him this far,” Vasquez told KPRC 2. The 26th Annual Mariachi Vargas National Vocal Contest will stream on YouTube this Saturday at 7 p.m.