Spinning with Color Guard

photo by Jordan Roberts

The WGHS Color Guard is hard at work practicing and cleaning their routine for the halftime show. They have been working and making it as perfect as possible. 
by Cassidy Bailey

photo via Instagram @wghs.colorguard

The WGHS Color Guard is hard at work practicing and cleaning their routine for the halftime show. They have been working and making it as perfect as possible. 

Color Guard is the flag work or the dances that are performed during the halftime show; they are part of the Marching Band, but do not play an instrument. They work just as hard as everyone and they play an important role.

Tryouts for the 2023 season were in March and that's when Shannon Rose (Instructor)  picked 10 girls to make up the WGHS Color Guard. The members of the team, whether they were returning or brand new, still had to practice for the upcoming season.
 
Gabby Daniels(10), who is Marian in the show, tells us how she practiced for tryouts. “I refreshed myself on the basics and practiced at home.” 

Zoe Smoot (11) explains in more detail about Color Guard, “Color Guard is a sport where we are on the field with the band and we march, count, and do our flag work. We dance, we make the music the band plays come alive.” Having to do the flag work with the counting to make sure they stay on time is tiring. The members of the team make sure they stay hydrated, well rested and they always stretch before practices or performances.  Color Guard practices with the band going over their routines.

---

photo via Instagram @wghs.colorguard

When the band warms up for the halftime show Color Guard also warms up. With instructor Ms. Shannon Rose they work on their show, tosses, dances, and go over the counts. Eryn Savage (10) says, “I prepare myself and practice to make sure I have everything down for the show.”  Doing it right before halftime can create a more focused team and they can nail every toss and every dance. The members of the team all have their roles even though it's the same for everyone; they all have their own favorite part of the show whether it be a toss or a dance. Carlie Roberts (11) says her favorite part is her big 45 toss. There are also hard tosses during the show that can be difficult for different people. “The hardest toss for me would have to be through the legs 45 toss that I throw after our soloist Marian, who tosses a double 45 to me,” says Jordan Roberts, the Color Guard captain for the 2023 season. She continues, “I love being captain. These girls have been amazing, and I feel so privileged to lead them. Honestly I couldn’t ask for a better group. Everyone works hard, and it really shows.” 

The Color Guard puts in so much dedication and hard work during their practices, they are a very tight group and members of the team support each other in everything they do. They are always there for each other when needed. 

---