Two talented members of the El Rancho High School Marching Band have achieved an incredible honor — they’ve been selected to perform in the 2026 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Senior Katty Padilla, who plays cymbals, and junior Andreas De La Torre, a snare drummer, will represent El Rancho as part of the prestigious Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band. Adding to this proud moment, Katty’s brother, Jose Padilla, an El Rancho band alumnus from the Class of 2024, also earned a spot in the Honor Band, playing tenor drums. What an amazing family legacy for the Padillas and the Dons’ music program!
When asked about the opportunity, Andreas shared his excitement, saying, “I’m looking forward the most is marching in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.” He also described the emotional moment he told his father the news: “When I broke the news to my dad, he started crying with lots of happiness and told me he was very proud of me.” With their hard work and passion for music, Katty, Andreas, and Jose are continuing El Rancho’s tradition of excellence and bringing honor to the school and community.
As the new year approaches, the El Rancho community looks forward to cheering on these outstanding musicians as they march down Colorado Boulevard on January 1. Their dedication, talent, and family pride serve as an inspiration to current and future members of the El Rancho Marching Band, demonstrating that with determination and love for music, dreams really can come true.
