Mari
Seventeen-year-old Mari Griego appears to be heading for the adventure of her life. She is supposed to be moving into her dormitory on Saturday, instead she'll be in Texas that day. The daughter of Don and Mary Griego of Rio Rancho is heading to San Antonio this week to audition for the upcoming sixth season of "American Idol."
Another recent concern was her scholarship and newly won position on the NMSU dance team, the Sundancers. Would those opportunities be squandered if she was in San Antonio, she wondered. Not to worry."They're going to honor my school and I'll be on the dance team, no matter what," she said. "That (assurance) was basically my final decision maker. I'm 17 now. Last year I probably could have gone but I was on the (RRHS) homecoming court.
If she's talented enough to make the final cut for the popular Fox TV show, it won't be the first time she's been on television. Griego sang the National Anthem at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia in 2000 and later appeared as a up-and-coming talented teen on the "Jenny Jones" show. She's also a regular on "Dance, Dance, Dance, It's a Teen Thing!" sponsored by the Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation Department on Friday nights each summer and aired locally.
Griego is also no stranger to San Antonio, having been a performer at a recent Tejano Awards Fanfest on the city's River Walk. She also has been inside the Alamodome, where she'll be auditioning on Friday. The Griegos could use financial help with their trip east. Anyone wanting to help can call them at 892-5857. Words of encouragement for Rio Rancho's long-time singing sensation may be sent to marimusic2001@hotmail.com. She's optimistic about her chances, as well as her bright future.
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