Winter Guard is more or less the indoor version of Color Guard- save the marching. Twelve girls from high school and middle school choreograph dances to make up the visual effects of the marching band. Using flags of different sizes and colors, the girls push themselves almost to exhaustion to perfect their moves, spins, and tosses.

The basic rundown for Winter Guard is flag swinging and dancing to music of different kinds. The girls use swing flags, which are on three foot poles, big flags, which are on six foot poles, and have even added a new component- rifles. The rifles are not authentic, but made strictly of wood.

When the season for the team first started around the Christmas Parade, they worked on their dances Tuesdays and Thursdays until 5. As time has worn on, so have their practices. They now labor on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays until 6:30.The crew takes minimal breaks in order to have the maximum time to practice. Senior Kaitlyn Sage, team captain, says, “We push hard so we know the routine and don’t end up looking dumb.”

The team captains Sage, sophomore Alexis Hairston, and sophomore Lauren Jackson also make sure to make the practices fun. “My favorite part of Winter Guard is the practices because we make them fun. We are productive in a non-aggressive manner,” says Hairston.

In order to keep up with the stress the activity puts on their bodies, they first stretch. They then put all the moves together, cue the music, and practice it all together. Their instructor, David Dickerson, who is also a middle school teacher at Bassett, helps whenever he is available. Over their entire routine, Mrs. Kellie Harlow, also the middle and high school band teacher and marching band director, helps critique and assist the clean-up.

The team is separated half and half into six high school and six middle school girls. As in all situations, there are challenges to be met. For a few of the high schoolers, it is aiding their younger teammates because they have to adapt to the fact that everyone isn’t as experienced as they are. “We are very grateful they are starting their Color Guard career early, but sometimes it’s difficult to work with them because they haven’t quite comprehended it yet,” says Sage.

Each of the team members has a different “favorite part.” Some enjoy the practice, some enjoy the performance. Other members, such as sophomore Emma Hale, find their joys in mentoring new members. As a founding member, she has had the opportunity to train the newest member, sixth grader Erin Hayes.

Winter Guard and color guard has brought all of the girls together, especially the team captains. For some of them, it has even become a way of life. As Kaitlyn Sage graduates this May, the remaining members hope to carry on her legacy. “This whole thing has been great for bonding. We are kind of like a big family now and even though I’ve only been a part of it for two years, I’ve gotten so close to them. They and the entire marching band are my family,” says Sage.

Hale says of Sage, “Kaitlyn [Sage] is a close friend of mine, and she’s the one who inspired me to join Color Guard. She has helped me a lot, from before tryouts to now. She has definitely had a huge impact not only on me, but on our whole team, and I will definitely miss her in seasons to come. It’s been truly wonderful to watch us grow as a team and become more and more like family each day.”

“It’s not going to be the same- not seeing her everyday like we do now. Since she is the oldest, she is like our Color Guard mom. She makes sure we have all the things we need, whether it’s performances or practices. She’s the one who got our shirts made. She is a really wonderful person and I don’t want her to graduate, but I know she has to. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for her in the future. We’re all together. ‘Ohana‘, I guess. No one gets left behind,” says Hairston.

“I’m sad that she [Kaitlyn] is leaving, but I’m glad that she is able to go to college and further her education. Band camp and this upcoming season really won’t be the same without her.” says Jackson.

Winter Guard’s last competition of the season is the Home Show in Tunstall’s gym on Friday, April 8, at 7pm.