May 17, 1998
	OVERCOMING OBSTACLES 760 Southern Arizona high school seniors triumph
	GOAL-ORIENTED Teens plan careers in medicine, music, media
	HELPING HANDS Service benefits AIDS patients, the environment, accident victims
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Chris Richards,
The Arizona Daily Star
Gaston Mascareñas plays piano, drums and guitar.

By Darlene Robles
Special to The Arizona Daily Star

Gaston Mascareñas says ``disability'' is not in his vocabulary.

The senior at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind was born afflicted with Leber's amaurosis, a rare hereditary disease that causes blindness.

The disease, which usually targets boys, destroys the optic nerve.

Being born blind has not prevented Mascareñas from achieving in music or in academics. The sense of sound navigates Mascareñas. He said sounds guide him through unfamiliar environments, along with the use of a cane.

And the sounds of music inspire him. ``I love music, all different kinds of music,'' said Mascareñas, a concert pianist who also plays the guitar and drums.

The musician was introduced to music by his grandmother, Blanca de Ramirez, who began teaching her grandson, then 3, how to play the piano and read music scales.

Mascareñas, whose grandmother says he is a gifted musician, began composing jingles for Spanish-language radio commercials three years ago. In addition to the jingles, the composer also arranged the music for the six school video yearbooks and is in the process of creating his seventh.

Mascareñas is also part of Valentine Hauy, a campus group that performs for community events, like a recent disabled community fund-raiser at Armory Park, and Easter shows.

On weekends, Mascareñas travels to Nogales, Sonora, where he works for the popular Radio XENY-AM music show, ``Fiesta Norteņa,'' and Radio XHNI-FM music show ``Complacencias al Instante.''

Mascareñas said he helps produce each program, and occasionally discusses music with residents during call-in segments.

In addition to music performances and the weekly radio program, Mascareñas ``excels as a student,'' Principal Lynne Albright said.

Mascareñas was elected to the school's chapter of the National Honor Society, and was a recipient of the Hugh O'Brian award, presented at the Annual LULAC Youth Leadership Conference. He also received the FBI's Community Service Award.

He received national recognition in 1997 as a Presidential Classroom Scholar, entitling him to a week in Washington, D.C., observing Congress in session.

At the gathering, Mascareñas was one of five students asked to give an address during the closing ceremony.

``I chose to speak about courage. It takes courage when you are blind to get out there and achieve your goals,'' said Mascareñas, who will attend the University of Arizona and major in media arts while exploring a career in music.

Darlene Robles is a senior at Pueblo High Magnet School.