Choosing to practice with a positive attitude, the high school’s color guard members meet every Monday, Thursday and Saturday to perfect their routine.
According to color guard director Heather Fisher, color guard focuses on getting members to develop new skills. They put an emphasis on “growing as people and not just performers,” Fisher said.
Fisher said her job as a director is not limited to teaching the members skills, but also includes “designing a show.”
Color guard captain Sarah Ralston likes the unique environment because it differs a lot from other sports.
According to Ralston, there is a lot of rivalry in other sports and color guard is “very different from those kinds of things.”
Color guard member Selena Zhang uses colorguard as a stress reliever.
“I chose color guard to relax because it’s a sport where I can collect myself and be in an environment where I’m not stressed,” Zhang said. “We’re all connected in some ways, and we’re all friends.”
Color guard is for anyone that wants to participate in marching band.
“Anyone can join color guard but you have to join in the fall season for marching band,” Fisher said.
Color guard practices take place on Monday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.
“It feels like a pretty good fit into the day. [Since] it’s not directly after school you get time to chill out at home, eat dinner, or just relax before you have to come here,” color guard member Albree Staehle said.
Fisher said she tries to create positive attitudes by “pointing out all the great things are students are doing” and “correcting what needs to be corrected by just [using] positive words.”
According to Ralston, color guard can also be a dangerous activity.
“If we’re not careful enough, we can end up with some concussions or broken knees,” Ralston said. “You’re throwing around metal or wood equipment, so if you’re not careful, you can hit yourself.”
Color guard can also be a strenuous activity.
“[Color guard is] constantly moving some part of your body. It requires you to build new muscles that you don’t normally use, especially with tossing equipment,” Ralton said.
Color guard also requires a lot of work outside of competitions
“This is one activity that you need to just have a lot of practice with. Even in a professional color guard, the one thing you have to do is practice. It doesn’t come naturally,” Fisher said.
According to Fisher, the work is worth it because “of great students who come through our program.”