February 18, 2000
NEW YORK, NY - Mariachi teen sensation
Nydia Rojas will be giving her voice to more than Spanish love
songs this year. As a new spokesperson for the national nonprofit
organization Do Something, the 19-year-old singer will inspire
and empower millions of young people across America to take action
to improve their communities. Rojas joins actor and Do Something
co-founder Andrew Shue as a spokesperson for Do Something, and
her emphasis will be involving Hispanic teens in community-building
initiatives.
"I am really excited about working with Do Something to get young people involved in their communities," said Rojas. "It is important for young people to hear the message that they can make a difference."
Rojas, who is making her Hollywood Records debut with the release of her album Si Me Conocieras, is offering more than her voice to improving America's communities. She is a dedicated community volunteer in her hometown of Los Angeles, where she sings regularly to Latino children with terminal illnesses at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles through her work with Padres Contra el Cancer (Parents Against Cancer). Nydia also teaches disadvantaged children about mariachi music and provides them with guitar lessons.
Rojas has always been deeply committed to the people and traditions in her community. Born in Southern California and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico she quickly developed an affinity for the musical styles indigenous to the land of her formative years. When she was only 10, Rojas decided to pursue music professionally; and at the age of 11, she had her first paying job as a mariachi musician singing in a local Southern California restaurant. By the time she was 16, Nydia Rojas was playing to sold-out arenas and crowds of over 18,000 fans. Rojas kicked off the year 2000 with a stellar performance on Univision Network's telecast of the Rose Parade in Pasadena broadcast across the U.S. and throughout Latin America.
In January, Rojas joined Andrew Shue and Martin Luther King III in encouraging young people across America to participate in the Do Something Kindness & Justice Challenge, a school-based initiative in which students perform acts of kindness (helping others) and justice (standing up for what is right) for two weeks in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday. Nearly 3 million students in all fifty states participated in the initiative to keep Dr. King's dream alive.
Starting this month, Rojas will invite young community leaders to apply for the Do Something BRICK Award, a prestigious grant given to America's ten best young leaders. Nine winners receive $10,000 to support their community work. One national grand prize winner receives a $100,000 grant.
"Do Something gives young people the skills and the opportunities to get involved," said Rojas. "I hope to inspire young people to believe in their power to change the world."
Rojas is the first teen celebrity to serve as an official spokesperson for Do Something, and she will appear in public service announcements and participate in Do Something events and initiatives designed to inspire and mobilize young people's community activism.
"Nydia is a superb role model for young people across America," said actor Andrew Shue, who co-founded Do Something in 1993. "She is a powerful example of what it means to care for others and give back to your community."
Do Something inspires, trains, funds and mobilizes young people to be leaders who measurably strengthen their communities. For more info, visit www.dosomething.org or call 212-523-1175.
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