Colorful silks and equipment twirl through the air, followed by the satisfying snap of a solid catch. Despite its lesser known reputation as part of the West High Entertainment Unit, Color Guard is a sport that requires immense effort and behind-the-scenes practice.  

   The team practices every Monday and Thursday night in three hour sessions, typically from 6 p.m to 9 p.m, as well as during fifth period in class every day. The repetition of long practices demands endurance– co- captain Isabel Croucier (12) explained that practices usually follow the same routine, with members beginning by warming up, grabbing equipment, and then diving straight into refining old choreo and learning new choreo, whether it be on flag or weapon line (which consists of saber and rifle). Members also spend part of the night doing several practice runs of their show, a seven to eight minute performance. 

   However, being a part of a team like Color Guard is more than performing or simply spending hours in each other’s company. “It’s like a family experience. . . it gets stressful at times, but it’s a lot of fun. As soon as you get to know the members, you become a close family,” Croucier recalled with an affectionate note. Evelyn Kraut (9), one of the team’s newest members,  described the experience as one that felt like bonding as an immediate family., “I enjoy performing and being part of the community. . . we’re quite the family,” she stated.

   Color Guard is also a team that requires no prior experience to join, designed to teach newcomers all the basics needed in training weeks during summer break. Team Captain Amanda Bruers (11) explained that she herself had no prior experience to joining, and that coaches and existing members  proved prior experience unnecessary, adding that, “they did a great job of teaching [her] all that [she] needed to know.” Bruers also noted that the newcomer to veteran member ratio is heavily swung towards the new members’ way this year. Despite having a team largely composed of younger members, they jumped ten points in their last competition, and won first in their division. Regardless of experience level or skill, the team pulls together to succeed.

   If the West High Entertainment Unit qualifies for the 2023 SCSBOA Championships at Citrus College on November 18, be sure to add that show to your calender, you wont want to miss it! If you’re interested in learning more about Color Guard, check out their account on Instagram, @wheu_guard.