On Jan. 24, the winter guard will travel to Lakota West High School to perform their show “Silver Linings” at their first competition. The team participates at various different competition sites throughout the season, but this year, they have decided to take part in a Winter Guard International (WGI) circuit. WGI is a higher-level competition that has not only high school level groups participating, but also professional groups.
Winter guard is a competitive indoor art that combines dance, movement and equipment work (flags, rifles and sabres) to perform choreographed routines. It’s essentially the indoor version of color guard (marching band), this offers two separate seasons for the group. Just like any other team sport, winter guard offers a community for its members that continues to prosper and grow throughout the seasons.
“As much as I love spinning, it wouldn’t be as special without everyone I’ve met along the way of my high school career,” one of the guards captains Avery Nieporte (12) said.
During their preseason, there were various changes that happened throughout the winter guard program that included: new coaching staff, an addition of a junior varsity (JV) group and tons of new members in general.
“Last season, the team and I had a completely different set of coaches, so the adjustment has been difficult,” Nieporte (12) said.
Another concerning challenge that arose during the team’s preseason was practice space and availability.
“One challenge we’ve had so far is struggling to find rehearsal space. Highlands has a lot of teams and not enough space for them,” Guard member Zoey Beets (11) said.
In spite of these challenges, the group has continued to persevere together alongside their coaches to prepare for their first competition.
“My coaches and teammates are really good at being supportive and motivating which pushes the whole team to do better,” Beets (11) said.
Although first competitions can be nerve-racking and stressful, many of the members are excited to showcase their talents.
“Our show is truly something special this year, so whatever nerves I may have don’t compare to the excitement that goes with knowing we get to share what we’ve been working on so far,” Nieporte (12) said.
Competing in WGI for the first time has come with new challenges as well as advancements in various aspects that members have had to overcome.
“This season, we are trying to compete in a higher level class, and to do that, we have to have more difficult choreography and tricks,” Beets (11) said.
As a whole, the winter guard is extremely eager to perform at Lakota West and cannot wait to show off their brand new show. Looking to the future, the winter will perform at Campbell Country High School on Feb. 21 with their fully completed show.
“Our show is truly something special this year, so whatever nerves I may have don’t compare to the excitement that goes with knowing we get to share what we’ve been working on so far,” Nieporte (12) said.
