LAS VEGAS, Nev. (702 Times, NV Globe) – The Mariachi Azul kids from Fremont Middle School in Las Vegas were on their way to Chicago for the Midwest Clinic, one of the largest mariachi music conferences.

“The clinic went fantastic the kids did great,” said chaperone Julia Avila.

It was wonderful until it came time to travel home for Christmas.

On December 22, these 19 kids and their chaperones were detained at their stopover location because to inclement weather.

“We did get out of Chicago in time but that is how we got stuck in Omaha,” said Avila.

Chaperones Julie Avila and Jazlique Hernandez, among others, had to scramble hastily because they had no arrangements to be in Omaha.

“These kids need somewhere warm to sleep tonight,” said Avila. “I will just go and charge it up on my card, it is fine. I needed to make sure they were in a hotel and somewhere safe.”

The ecclesiastical network rushed to the rescue. Churches in Vegas learned about the stranded travelers and contacted churches in Omaha.

“Christmas was fantastic,” said Avila. “We had two groups come out to us and they brought homemade Christmas dinner to us.”

One of Omaha’s churches offered all of the children Christmas cards with money inside to help them replace items lost in their luggage and buy Christmas presents.

“We went to Walmart and the kids and the kids just shopped and bought whatever they wanted and I made sure they bought necessities first,” said Avila.

Seven students and two chaperones returned to Vegas on Monday morning, and nine more are slated to fly out Monday night, leaving six individuals in Omaha with no plans to leave until Thursday.

“I am one of the ones staying behind because I need to make sure the kids get home first,” said Avila.

“CCSD has working with school administration to create plans for students, chaperones, and staff impacted by travel delays across the country,” said the district. Superintendent Jara has been in direct communication with the Fremont Middle School group, and District leadership is looking into every conceivable option to bring the children, chaperones, and staff home as quickly as possible.”

Credits: Fox 5 Vegas

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