Whittier district students to march in Rose Parade

Wave Staff Report

WHITTIER — When Whittier High School junior Anika Monzon and her sister, sophomore Adelina Monzon, saw the Tournament of Roses Parade in person on New Year’s Day last January, they felt great pride in seeing their older brother, Whittier High Class of 2024 graduate Myles Monzon, march in the Honor Band, performing on the tenor drum.

This year, it will be a Monzon family affair, as Anika and Adelina are among five Whittier Union High School District students selected to perform at the 2025 Rose Parade as members of the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band, joining Myles, currently a PCC student, who was again selected to play tenor drum.

“Our mom cried when we told her that we both made the Honor Band,” Anika said. “It’s kind of a family tradition. Our mom marched in the Rose Parade as a member of the Honor Band, and our dad marched as well, as part of his high school marching band. It’s fun to watch the parade and root for your section, but it will be more fun to be in the parade.”

Anika will play mellophone and Adelina will play trumpet for the Honor Band, joining Whittier High junior Ramon Mendes on clarinet, Whittier High freshman Darren Rico on trombone, and Santa Fe High School senior Josh Jimenez on trumpet. It is the first Honor Band appearance for all five students.

Anika is currently a back drum major for the Whittier High marching band and had to borrow a mellophone to audition for Honor Band. Despite not playing the instrument for a year, Anika aced her tryout, as did Adelina.

“I’ve been playing since the sixth grade, and I love being in band. It’s an experience like no other,” Adelina said. “Marching band is like a whole new world. I’m excited to learn all new marches. We also get to play at Disneyland, which I am really looking forward to.”

Mendes said he was drawn to the clarinet because of its beautiful sound and embraces band life for its inclusivity.

“Band is an extremely friendly environment and open to people from all backgrounds. It’s very important for students to have this opportunity,” Mendes said. “I am so happy for my dad. It’s always been a dream of his to see the Rose Parade, and now I get to perform for him.”

Rico, like Mendes, was drawn to the trombone because of its sound. Rico said he loves the tone, sound and warmth of the trombone, and the fact that it employs slides, the only brass instrument to do so.

“When I was younger, I watched a symphonic orchestra play, and the trombone really got me interested in music. I want to see where it can take me,” Rico said. “I was very surprised to be selected for Honor Band. My family is very proud of me. This means a lot to me. If I can do it, anything is possible.”

Whittier High band director Edward Mijares is in his first year leading the marching band, after working as the percussion director during the 2022-23 school year.

“Whittier High has a tremendous music tradition, and I’m honored to lead these very determined, very talented students,” Mijares said. 

That tradition includes marching in the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. in 1972 for President Richard Nixon’s second inauguration. Nixon is probably Whittier High’s most famous graduate.

For Santa Fe High’s Jimenez, the third time was the charm in getting selected for Honor Band. Though Jimenez originally wanted to play the saxophone when he joined band in the sixth grade, he found his way to the trumpet and now seeks to play at the level of his idols, Maynard Ferguson, Maurice André and Freddie Hubbard.

“I just love to play with the band,” Jimenez said. “Music has taught me to be a better person, and the opportunity to meet new people is the biggest reason I’m excited to join the Honor Band. Being in band has also helped me with my time management, which helps me do better academically.”

Santa Fe High band director Terry Dawson encourages all his students to try out for Honor Band, for the opportunity to broaden their horizons and make memories that will last a lifetime.

“I marched in the Rose Parade every year I was in high school, as a member of the L.A. All-City Marching Band,” Dawson said. “I want all my students to have the same chance. It makes me proud to see dedicated musicians such as Josh Jimenez get selected. It’s the right thing to do for the students and takes them to the next level of music performance.”

       
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