On November 22, 2025, the Mission Viejo Marching Band and Color Guard took first place in 2A Division Championships for the Western Band Association. Driving up 5 or 6hours to Derian Koligian Stadium in Fresno for finals with their 2025 program called “Spotlight,” the band was nothing but eager for their finals and the chance to prove themselves even as a smaller band. They did not throw away their shot, and blew away the competition with a roaring score of 84.825 out of a max of one hundred.
After working for several, grueling hours rehearsing, the band finally did finish the season with a huge bang. During the competition, the pressure and tension was high. After around 300 hours of work and late nights on the field, they achieved what they couldn’t years ago and returned the hype and spirit to the marching band. They put Diablo spirit all across the state and showed the public what the diablos of Mission Viejo High School are capable of.
Of course, Mission’s color guard will not be forgotten in this milestone. Each and every guard member has input nothing but energy and enthusiasm to every toss, spin and catch of their flag, rifle or sabre. Without color guard, the band would not have stood out, so it is with nothing but thankfulness I regard my guard members.
Winning first place in division championships won them the opportunity to participate in Grand Champions, which includes the top five bands from each division the very next day. The band got to once again prove why they won first place with their amazing performance. Once more, they blew the judges away and with a score of 90, they won fourth place and secured a back to back Championship.
Fourth place may not seem like much but to the band, it was everything. They secured 2 box 5 places and won what they couldn’t in previous years. Thanks to the championship, the band happily expects more people for their 2026 marching season to bring in more trophies as a bigger band.
Of course, the marching band wouldn’t be what it would be without staff. Thanks to our beloved staff members and technicians, we got our instruments sounding great and our champs ready. Our band boosters as well made sure we were always well fed before, during and after hard rehearsals. Again, another huge thank you to any staff who dealt with the marching band to secure a successful season.
At the end of each rehearsal, the marching band called out “Five!” after their drum major’s “Band ten hut!” to motivate themselves into working to their limit to bring home a champion trophy, now thanks to their effort, all returning and future band members can call out “Six!” and bring the exact same spirit to their 2026 finals.
Until then, the 2025 Marching Band season has ended, with a bang and two champion trophies.
