I was born and raised in the city of South Gate, California, and lived in the same apartment complex all my childhood. I attended public schools in South Gate and graduated from South Gate High School in 2007. A Milken Scholar, Gates Millennium Scholar, and alum of the 2005 Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project, I continue my education as an undergraduate at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I plan to concentrate in some field in the humanities.

I am proud to be a mariachi musician. In May 2003 I co-founded a mariachi, Mariachi Espuela de Plata, with fellow middle school students and I am a member of Mariachi Veritas de Harvard. Music is a large part of my life; I readily listen to any music in Spanish and always have my radio/iPod set to music in Spanish.

Why is my blog titled soledad en masa? The answer to that question is here. You can follow my posts at L.A. Eastside.

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Here’s my Milken Scholar biography:

Mariachi music is Diego Rentería’s prime passion. “It is what gives reason and order to my life.” Diego is the co-founder and lead guitarist of a Mexican music ensemble that performs in small neighborhood gatherings and has performed in front of thousands at the Hollywood Bowl. He relishes knowing that he is able to “bring smiles to young and old and spread the knowledge of the richness of Mexican culture.” This dedication to music and art earned Diego a commendation from the Los Angeles United School District Board of Education. An academic standout, Diego is a National Hispanic Scholar, a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, Social Studies Student of the Year, and ninth in his class of 623. When he attends Harvard University, Diego will continue developing his “musical education, cultural expression, historical connection, and academic ethnomusicology” while majoring in history and government. While participating in the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project Conference, Diego came to realize that “the biggest obstacle within the Chicano communities was a lack of knowledge about political issues, education and culture.” He feels a “responsibility to educate and aid.” At South Gate High School, Diego founded an organization that serves as a forum for students to freely express their opinions, celebrate the Chicano culture and history, and fight for civil, economic and educational justice through political mobilization. He serves as president of the Model United Nations, news editor of the school newspaper, peer counselor, legislative intern for Assemblymember Hector De La Torre, and coordinator for L.A. Leadership Institute. Peeking into the future, one may see Diego Renteria’s name as Governor of California.