Vista Murrieta Winter Guard, Percussion Bring Home Major Competitive Awards

MURRIETA, CA — The Vista Murrieta percussion ensembles and winter color guard earned the highest of national marks competing in the national competitions over the weekend.

Vista Murrieta Percussionist Ryan Sanjonco won the 2026 WGI Scholarship at the WGI Percussion & Winds World Championships event in Dayton, Ohio. The VMHS percussionists also took home both the 2026 Percussion Scholastic World Gold and Silver medals at the same championships.

Meanwhile, in Irvine, at the WGASC Color Guard Championships held at UC Irvine's Bren Event Center, the Varsity Winter Guard earned First Place. The team earned top marks in their category for equipment, movement, design, and general effect. The Junior Varsity Sapphires team brought home fifth place in that same competition.

"Congratulations to all of the incredible percussion ensembles and color guard teams who competed on countless championship floors across the country over the weekend," they said. "The 2026 indoor programs are just built different."

The percussion ensembles and both color guard teams competed in championship finals in their respective circuits, each earning top scores at the most competitive stages, according to the school.

"What a breathtaking season finale by these fierce competitors and stunning performers!

The VMHS percussionists had an "exhilarating Scholastic world final performance," according to the WGI Sport of the Arts.

Behind every performer is a parent and family who leans in to help, giving time and talent to help bring it all together.

Patch spoke with Stephen Reischlein, who's daughter Nevaeh is a junior in the Varsity Color Guard program. Both he and his wife, Christine, aided in the construction of the large dandelions that were central in the decor of the act. Constructed from styrofoam balls, bamboo skewers and thousands of feet of tufted twine, the enormous accents provided scale and story to the "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" program.

"A lot of these band parents and kids we have shared our time with have become family," he told Patch. "It’s an amazing experience to be a tiny puzzle piece in the world that is band and guard. It takes an army. Everybody who gets involved to make programs continue for our children don’t go unseen. It’s a great group of staff and families."

The work of the Reischlein family, as well as that of multitudes of others, was thanked by coaches and band leaders after the events.

"Thank you to our members, student leaders, families, staff, coaches, host sites, judges and all who had a hand in creating a memorable indoor season for our Broncos and countless performers across the country," they said. "And not to be forgotten, our utmost gratitude to all our alumni who have inspired and prepared these programs for success at the highest levels of the sport! We stand on the shoulders of giants."

More than the medals, the coach and band leaders said they were "most proud of how each student has grown, what they learned about themselves and others, and who they have become through it all."