When someone thinks of color guard they usually think of the students who run around with flags and mock rifles during football games, but there is a deeper history and meaning behind the sport.
Guard originated during the civil war when soldiers would request for bands to join them on the battlefield. The bands added the idea of people holding american flags while they would play.
The idea changed when a woman named Peggy Twiggs, sometimes referred as Peggy Spins, started to spin the flag in the air when she would get bored. This soon evolved into something greater than boredom. In modern times, Spinns is a popular and understood term amongst the community that relates to a certain kind of technique.
Today, Guard can be described as a group of students in high school or college who preform alongside the marching band as they twirl and throw, visually appealing equipment. Some of the equipment includes flags, sabres, and rifles.
Every year in mid-November to the beginning of April, color guard students band together to perform in competitions called Winter Guard. This year’s roster includes: Jillian Kohler, Parker Poole, Micheala Fuller, Kaitlyn Jackson, Abigail Bush, Charlee Edwards, Grace Basinger, Megan Pinion, Jada Smith, Valerie Eustice, Ava Haraldson, Reagan Sales, Lena Meister, Colby Joiner, Maeby Baldwin, Titus Ridgeway-Smith, Lylah Pickett, Logan Roach, Ella Simpson, Jordan Holton, Hailey Rutledge, Willow Hammond, Emily Junius, Monroe Seigle, Ariana Haraldson, Savannah Russo, and Kristyana Sherrod.
Students at North Forsyth High School said that the most improtant thing to know about guard is the community around it. Junior, Micheala Fuller, said, “It’s a very helpful and understanding group of people, we all come from very different backgrounds… everyone’s welcome.” Other participants said the connections you make in guard can help you out as you navigate through high school and beyond.
With an enticing roster and exciting themes for their performances, the upcoming season promises to be spectacular!
