By Emily Cedre
Marching athletes from all over aspire to take the floor in WGI World Championships Finals performance. For brothers Joshua and Jacob Mendiola, they each got to live that aspiration this year in two different groups. Jacob is a freshman at Sonia Sotomayor HS, whose percussion ensemble was the 2026 Percussion Scholastic Open Class Champion, and Joshua is a sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose percussion ensemble won the 2026 Percussion Independent Open Class silver medal.
Joshua got involved in the marching arts in high school.
“My love for music and competing got me into the marching arts, along with my old band director, Ms. [April] Lara,” said Joshua.
Sonia Sotomayor HS opened in 2022, and Joshua transferred there for his junior year.
“I was in the first class of Sotomayor and in the first indoor percussion group for the school and that’s where I began my marching career,” said Joshua. “It’s awesome to see something I helped set a foundation for become what it has become now, which is a world champion program! And it’s even better to see my brother march in the same program I did a few years ago.”
After watching his brother fall in love with performing, Jacob joined the school band in sixth grade, where he played the clarinet. Once he reached high school, he switched to percussion.
“My brother is the one who got me into the sport of the arts,” Jacob reflected.
Joshua and Jacob both expressed how lucky they are to have found a common passion in the marching arts. Their favorite part of this shared experience is getting to watch each other thrive.
“Being able to participate in this sport with my brother is something I never thought I would be able to do,” said Joshua. “Some of my favorite parts [have been] watching him grow as a person and a musician. Watching him perform has been a blessing and to get to even do it…with him. He now shares the love and passion I have for this sport and I’m so incredibly proud of him. And it’s even better to see my brother march in the same program I did a few years ago.”
“My favorite part of competing alongside my brother [is] definitely seeing each other perform and seeing the difference in music, show and so much more,” said Jacob. “The bond indoor leaves upon any two kids, whether it’s friends or siblings, is unreal. I feel like I have stronger bonds with my brother, now more than ever.”
The Mendiola brothers’ parents, Gabe and Rosie, have supported both children every step of the way. In the beginning, they didn’t know much about the activity or how it worked.
“Growing up playing sports, I had no idea this world existed,” said Gabe. “When they wanted to join band, I was super excited. Needless to say, I was introduced to a world that we’re so very thankful for. Marching and indoor has shown us how important the arts are for our kids. They build strong bonds and a fantastic work ethic.”
When it came time for the boys to attend this year’s World Championships, the family knew they couldn’t miss the opportunity to witness both their sons perform alongside the best of the best.
“There were so many fantastic schools there, so at first, we were just happy to be there,” said Gabe. “As parents, this was our first time attending WGI in Ohio. After Josh won bronze last year, we made sure the whole family could go this year. I cried so much that last day. My boys competed with the absolute best in the country and held their own.”
The third and youngest Mendiola brother has also been along for the ride.
“We have to give a special shoutout to our 8-year-old, Jonah,” said Gabe. “He has been dragged all around the country supporting his brothers. He even made a video of himself hyping them [up]. He is a trooper and loves his brothers so much.”
Gabe recounted what it felt like to sit in the stands at Percussion Open Class retreat, waiting to hear where his sons’ groups would place. First, UTSA was announced silver, followed a few minutes after by Sonia Sotomayor HS, announced gold.
“We went through every emotion imaginable,” said Gabe. “Having them both on the floor at the same time when going through the announcements was one of the most nerve-racking things we have ever been a part of. We are so deeply proud of these two because they worked so hard for this. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to not have one, but both compete and see the bond that has built over the years through the arts. Seeing them hug each other on the floor during the celebration after they medaled, there are not enough words for me to describe the amount of love and pride we have for them and all of their teammates.”
“For me, the feeling was unreal,” said Joshua. “Hearing that we both medaled and that my brother even took home first was so exciting.”
“Everyone was just in awe,” remembered Jacob. “It seemed like and it felt like everyone was proud of both me and my brother.”
The Mendiolas are grateful to have found the marching arts and to see their kids grow as performers and as people.
“We are so immensely proud of the human beings they are becoming,” said Gabe. “We owe a lot of that to the arts. This arts community is one of love and support for one another and it never disappoints. We need that so much in this world. As a parent, you always hope you are raising your kids right, but I can tell you, the marching arts helped raise our kids too. They learned teamwork, an unimaginably hard work ethic, and love and support for one another. They built bonds that will give them a lifetime of friendships and memories to cherish. We are so thankful [for] the arts and what it means to our family.”
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About the author:
Emily Cedre works as a content creator for OneTouch Direct in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Programming and Production. She also minored in Psychology. She began color guard in her junior year of high school, was a captain of Sunlake High School’s Open Class team and has since spun for the University of South Florida.
