Colorful flags flow in unison. Dancers move in synchronized groups. The audience cheers as a guard member throws a prop rifle into the air.
Through a blend of art and athleticism, color guard is a sport that provides its members a unique outlet for self-expression.
On Feb. 24, guards from across the district performed at the Frisco Flag Night at Frisco High School. Led by director Taylor Tucker, the IHS color guard performed their show, “And Then There Was One,” a story depicting a group of adventurers on their journey to climb Mount Everest.
“When you’re performing, it really feels like an out-of-body experience,” said sophomore Adithi Anandarao, the team’s spirit leader. “Watching [a show] from the audience when the equipment is spinning together is just so beautiful [to see]. It creates this illusion in time that [no one] wants to break.”
In high school, the sport is divided into two sections: marching season and winter months. During marching season, guard members perform alongside the marching band, while in the winter, they transition to the winter guard, a faster-paced style of performance. A typical show involves choreography, props, facial expressions, and more. These elements, combined with the athletic aspects of the performances, come together to tell a visually engaging and interactive story.
“The whole point is to make it look easy, [which] I think is really interesting,” Anandarao said. “When people view it, they don’t understand the amount of [dedication] that goes into [each performance]. [We] have to balance the athleticism and [the artistry, in a way that the audience] will enjoy. It’s something that we put a lot of work into [perfecting].”
Guard members across the district feel that the sport offers a sense of community.
For Lebanon Trail sophomore Ira Sonawane, the relationships with the team spark her passion for performing.
“[Prior to joining the team], I didn’t really have any [strong] friendships,” said Sonawane, a member of the Lebanon Trail varsity guard. “[However, after I joined], I [got] to connect with all these different people in competitions, practice, and games. We [also] have a lot of upperclassmen on our team, and they [ensure] to lead by example by guiding and encouraging us as [we] perform. It’s been really beneficial to help me grow as a person [both] in and outside of color guard.”
In fact, to assist in forming connections between students of all ages, the IHS program offers opportunities for Nelson Middle School students to participate in guard performances.
“I saw the [IHS] guard performing in shows and with the marching band and I really liked [seeing] it,” Aishwarya Saishashishekar, an eighth-grade student at Nelson Middle School. “[The middle school guard] does a show every year, and the high school students help us [perfect] our tosses and routines. I wouldn’t have known any of the tosses without them, so I [definitely think] they have helped me a lot.”
Ultimately, members believe that outside of just performing, the sport is a place where teamwork, friendships, and perseverance converge.
“Having fun is really the most important thing that I feel that people sometimes miss [when performing], so I try to tell myself and tell them to [enjoy] this [experience],” said Diya Kalsi, a sophomore on the IHS winter guard. “At the end of the day, it’s really about your love for the sport. If you’re really dedicated, you just have to go full out.”
