Green-and-blue striped flags twirl in the air, in sync with the marching band’s music. A song blares as members of Color Guard dance around the football field, adding a visual performance to the music.
Color Guard is a part of the Titan Marching Band, and they perform at both varsity football games as well as competitions around the area, practicing every Monday and Thursday from 5:45 to 9 p.m., Band Director Brian Boron said. Color Guard’s theme changes every year for both football games and competitions, with this year’s theme being Frankenstein, Boron said. The music the band plays correlates with what Color Guard is performing, Boron added.
“Color Guard is the visual representation of the music that you’re hearing from the field,” Boron said. “The equipment that they use, the choreography that they do, and their placement on the field are all there to enhance what is happening musically.”
The captains of Color Guard help newer members learn and practice choreography as well as step in as the instructor when their coach, Karen Graves, is not there, senior Sophia Hammer, Color Guard Co-Captain, said. Color Guard gave her a sense of belonging and allowed her to make new friends, Hammer said.
“Last year was my first year in Color Guard,” Hammer said. “It was a way to start something new, especially because Color Guard is so small at our school. It really feels like I’m starting something new and making it bigger.”
The Color Guard community shares a strong bond with each other, senior Keira Stender, Color Guard Co-Captain, said. Members participate in a tradition of having brunch before their first competition, further strengthening their connections with each other, Stender explained.
“We all start from different backgrounds, but come together to do something that we all love, and it’s really beautiful seeing everyone make these new friendships,” Stender said.
The camaraderie within the buses on the way to competitions provides Color Guard members with a way to get to know one another better and talk before performances, Hammer said. The bus rides reestablish the positive environment and welcoming atmosphere Color Guard provides, allowing members to experience engaging conversations with each other, Hammer added.
“I’ve tried a lot of sports throughout my childhood and I never found one that I was good at,” Hammer said. “When I started Color Guard, I realized I’m good at it, and it gave me a lot of new friends.”
