Everyone stands in their spots as head coach Samantha Unick explains the new choreography for a section of the routine. Going over and over till everyone understands the new moves. Making sure that everyone is catching rifles after they are thrown in the air. After one part is mastered enough, time for the next, reviewing and changing the choreography if needed. Later displaying the new routine to the JV winter guard team to end off the practice for the day.
This is the practice routine for the Bellevue East winter guard. There are opportunities out there for kids who are interested in sports like, football, baseball, and even cheer to start out at a young age. Winter guard, on the other hand, starts a little later in middle school.
“[I have been in color guard] since 7th grade, I saw a poster and thought it looked interesting and thought I would try out,” junior Claire Bossman said.
Reasons for joining winter guard can vary from person to person, as well as when they decide to join. For senior Madeline Woods, family helped her decide to join winter guard in middle school.
“I’ve been doing winter guard since I was in 8th grade,” Woods. “At first it was because my sister was in it in high school and my brother has also been involved in other band activities within the program.”
The novice winter guard team is a great way to get into winter guard. Like many sports for middle schoolers, it a stepping stone for pursuing the activity in high school.
“On the novice team we learn flag basics and all the dance basics you need to know, the building blocks of what will help you become successful further on,” Woods said. “It’s a lot less practice time in 8th grade, it’s a lot more fun, kind of relaxed. It’s a great way to meet people.”
Having a novice team does not just help for getting better at winter guard but also helps create bonds with classmates. It also helps middle schoolers with transitioning into high school.
“[Having a novice team is] really helpful because they come in though the fall and they have more confidence,” Unick said. “They get to know the high schoolers for when they join the high school team, so they are more comfortable going into their freshman year.”
Winter guard members spend a lot of time together in their day to day classes on top of their practices. This helps them build stronger friendships.
“I wish people knew that you’re really bonded, you spend a lot of time together,” Unick said. “There’s great culture here and it’s just been really fun being a part of the Bellevue East community.”
After middle school guard members get into high school, it’s less fun and games. Practice occurs more often and routines get more difficult.
“[In high school] you spend a lot more time on it, also fall guard you gain skills that you use in winter guard, during school we have class,” Bossman said. “It’s a lot of the skill level, as you get better you learn more.”
