The winter guard team is preparing for its last competition of the season: the San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review Championships at Clovis North Educational Center, March 27.

Members of the guard have participated in four competitions this year and have earned a trophy placement at each venue. Coach Lacey Miranda said she appreciates the team’s improvement throughout the season.

“The team has improved way more than I even thought they could,” Miranda said. “We have moved up in our class unexpectedly and are now in second place to six guards. I can’t wait to see how they do at championships.”

Miranda said the team aims to win second place at the event to complement the single first-place and three third-place awards from the season.

“We are hoping for that second-place spot, but we might end up with third,” Miranda said. “There are still some changes I want to make and some cleaning that needs to be done, but I know my girls will be prepared come show day.”

After previous band instructor Chris Rice convinced junior Sarah Barnett to join guard, she earned the title of captain and now assists Miranda in directing the team, she said.

“We are beginning to feel the championships approaching,” Barnett said. “We have had to tweak a lot of the choreography and make sure every person is doing every move correctly.

“Our coach has been pickier and harsher on us, but it is a good thing because it shows that we know the work and how we are trying to get everything perfect.”

Although freshman Austen Houts joined winter guard to avoid P.E. class, she grew to enjoy the dance and competition aspects of the team, she said.

“My favorite part about being on the team is going to the competitions,” Houts said. “At first I’m really nervous, but once we get going, I’m able to have fun and show everyone what we’ve learned. After we’ve performed, I can relax and watch the other teams’ shows.”

While some may not view winter guard as a difficult activity, Houts maintains that the sport requires coordination and “a lot of hard work to succeed,” she said.

“Despite what many people say, it [winter guard] is actually difficult and takes a lot of hard work to succeed,” Houts said. “I hope we can show the judges how much we’ve improved and take back our first-place trophy!”

For more information, visit Winter guard to compete at Buchanan or e-mail Lacey Miranda.