Girls dance to music while synchronizing the movements of their flags and rifles. Tossing sabers into the air, the team continues to execute their routine.

Though often overlooked in favor of sports like football and basketball, the campus winter guard team fills a unique niche in the range of high school activities.

“Not many people know about it (winter guard),” sophomore Sarah Barnett, winter guard captain, said. “It’s something different than normal school activities: an unknown treasure. You get to make new friends and it’s really fun.”

To those who participate, winter guard proves to be a memorable experience. Sophomore Alexandrah Aleman, drum major, appreciates the camaraderie with her fellow guard members.

“We work well together,” Aleman said. “We all get along and trust each other. No matter what happens at a show, we won’t be disappointed.”

Lacey Miranda, first-year winter guard coach, believes the team’s closeness allows for criticism without the girls taking offense.

“We can tell each other anything,” Miranda said. “When we tell someone they’re doing something wrong, we don’t take it offensively. We help each other.”

While all winter guard members share a background in music, each member possesses a unique talent that benefits the team. Jessica Massie, ’11, utilizes her dance experience to help choreograph the guard’s routines.

“I get to use my baton and dance experience at the same time in winter guard,” Massie said. “I’ve been dancing since I was three. I tap and dance to jazz, ballet and hip-hop, so I help choreograph the hip-hop parts of our routine.”

Miranda recognizes Massie’s dance expertise, seeking her advice and trying to incorporate her ideas into routines.

“Jessica has definitely benefited the winter guard,” Miranda said. “I’ll ask her for help for most of the dances or try to get her ideas put into the routines. She helps so much!”

Performance improves despite inexperience

After seasoned winter guard members and ’07 alumni Breanne Gandolfo and Hanna Wilhelm graduated, the team faced a future season consisting entirely of rookies.

“It was intimidating to be made captain after they (Gandolfo and Wilhelm) left since I was only a sophomore,” Barnett said. “We had to get basics down and expand on our abilities. We all knew a little about the equipment but we had to perfect it and learn more for shows. They set a good example for me and helped me know what to do.”

After weeks of practice the winter guard team metamorphosed from beginners to masters of their routine for the season’s competitions.

“I’m satisfied with our team’s performance this season,” Barnett said. “We’ve improved so much. We’re closer as a team and our scores have raised because of it.”

The winter guard team competed at Clovis North High School, April 4. They received 68.8 out of 100 points and placed 7th out of 9 teams. While this competition concluded their season, Miranda praises the team’s effort to improve.

“I’m very happy with their performance this season,” Miranda said. “If we look back at our first show, they’ve gotten so much better. I’m very proud of them.”

The amount of involvement in winter guard hindered the team’s success throughout the season. Five girls comprise the team, while most teams have 15-20 members or as many as 30.

“It’s intimidating going against larger guards,” Barnett said. “Large teams look more together and mistakes don’t stand out as much as in smaller guards. We’re evaluated harder because it’s difficult to hide mistakes.”

The winter guard team aims to recruit additional members for next year’s season to combat this disadvantage.

“I’m hoping for more girls next year,” Miranda said. “I would like to have at least eight next year. Winter guard allows girls to learn teamwork, cooperation and how to motivate oneself.”

For more information on winter guard, read Kristina Palmer’s May 9, 2007, article, Winter Guard retires flags or visit Winter guard competes Feb. 29.