The band has continued their streak of four consecutive wins with this year’s victory in San Antonio. Every band performance requires visual aspect, and that’s where the color guard comes in.

The color guard is a vital piece of any band performance because it intrigues the audience. Some people watching the show are ‘mesmerized’ by the throwing of flags and rifles into the air.

“We are the visual for the band,” sophomore Jenna Martin said. “Without us, you would be watching the band march around which is cool, but the color guard gives the feel aspect of the performance. It makes the audience have a better idea of what the show is actually about.”

With any great color guard production comes countless hours of vigorous practice and hard work.

“We usually spend every single morning for about two hours before school practicing,” Martin said. “In addition, we spend three hours on Mondays going over the routine and 30 minutes or so at home of additional practice.”

Many unforgettable memories are made throughout the year, and each guard member has their own favorite experience.

“I love hanging out with the rest of the guard during the contest days throughout the year,” senior Reid Sullivan said. “State band was probably the most nerve racking experience I’ve ever had, but it was definitely rewarding. When we all got back up into the stands, all of the guard rushed over to me. We all shared that moment together, and it was an amazing feeling.”

While color guard is full of practice and fun, it has also taught life lessons to each member.

“I’ve learned to be more open,” junior Savannah Runyon said.  “I used to be so shy but now I can talk to people and make more friends because of my experience in color guard.”

The guard members have a very close bond with one another that is ‘incomparable to anything else’.

“We are so close,” junior Madalyn Lopez said. “We spend more time together than we do with our families in the summer.  After I lost my dad they all wrote little notes to me and brought them to my house and were there for me.  We are literally a family.”