Oscar Huerta, a Santa Fe High student, started rapping at age 14, in eighth grade.

A fan of rapper Wiz Khalifa, Oscar was inspired by a verse from his song “That Good,” from the album “High School,” and was encouraged by friends to try to imitate it. He did, and after that he was instantly interested in rapping.

Starting his journey made him feel “nervous and shaky,” Oscar says. “I didn’t think I was good enough until I overcame it with time.” But with help and support from family and friends, the more he rapped and got out there, the more comfortable he became rapping in front of others. “The support means everything to me, “ he says.

Oscar’s long-term career plans are to be a rapper/songwriter and a botanist on the side.

Starting a career like this at 18 makes him excited for what’s to come, and he feels like it will help him connect with others through music. “People will vibe to the beat and be able to relate to me through my lyrics,” Oscar says.

In the beginning, Oscar’s parents just thought of his rapping as a hobby; they never thought he would pursue it as a career. Now they completely support him and do what they can to help: “They give me the freedom and trust I need to grow as a person and as a rapper,” he says.

Oscar writes his own music, and his friend Brayan Cruz, 16, is his producer. Brayan creates the beats for him to rap to and completes the final track.

“He got me interested, and motivated me to get into it and continue,” Brayan says, who explained that he has no other experience with music outside of school.

“There’s not enough time,” Oscar says, “but if patience is key, everything will work out. Time doesn’t stop for anyone — you have to do it while you are young.”

Oscar went on to say, “School has helped a lot.”

According to Mr. Morrison, the head of the Innovate Academy, Santa Fe High receives an annual grant of federal money from the Perkins program to support career and technical education. The Innovate Academy features classes in applied STEM, career and technical education, engineering, and production systems.

The grant is also used to fund engineers from Littleglobe, Inc., a local media production company that trains teachers and students to use equipment for media production and foreign language applications.

Brayan and Oscar agree that doing most of their recording at school motivates them to attend.

Oscar and his cousins, Brayan Luevano, Tony Rene, Daniel Nunez, Nalini Sosa and Francisco Meza, are working on creating their own label. Oscar’s first album, “The Vision,” is coming soon.

“I have not performed yet.” Oscar says. “I want to get better first and have lots of practice.”

But he believes in himself, as do his family and friends.