It's been an absolutely amazing four years as a part of the CHS Colorguard. I've made friends to last a lifetime and had an experience I'll forever cherish. I was so uncertain when I joined as a freshman, and now, I can't even picture what high school would have been like if I hadn't joined. It's so hard to imagine life without guard. And not even just guard, but the other people I've worked with, the instructors, the shows.
I laugh to think about how young and ignorant I was as a freshman, but even then, I knew I wanted to keep with colorguard. I joined because I wasn't continuing with band, and for the possibility of PE credits. The PE credit possibility was slashed and my parents tried to discourage me from continuing with guard because of the time commitment, but I knew there was something special there. I can't imagine what would have happened if I hadn't continued with this program. Through the sweat, the pain, the tears and the frustration, this has been beyond words. I can still remember when I couldn't spin a flag correctly, and this season, I helped others learn. I remember being so apprehensive and nervous about having to learn to spin rifle as a sophomore, and now, I feel most in touch with rifle. Just looking back through the years, I wouldn't change anything. Not the weeks of band camp, not being yelled at by instructors, not even messing up during shows. They aren't the grandest of things, but they're what made me strive to be better. I don't regret having switched to parade - despite my preference for field and how much I miss it, I won't give up the experience I've had for something that may have been.
It's been an amazing personal journey from an uncertain freshman struggling to keep up with everyone else, to a confident senior leader and captain eager to help others have a passion for guard. It's been stunning. I've had such a great experience. It's not about the scores or the trophies... It's about the bonds I've formed - the sisters I've made in guard and the friends in band.
I can't imagine having shared this journey with a better group of people. Mr. Johnson, Jhay, Kyle, Kelly, Jessie, Elaine, Chloe, and Edric - thank you all so much for the encouragement and instruction throughout these years. Abbie - you are without a doubt the best drum major ever. Ashlee, Melanie, Ellen, Laura, and Toria - I couldn't have asked for better captains or co-captains. Courtney, Vaishu, Ross, Peter, and Giulio - it's been an amazing freshman to senior journey with you at my side. The people I've worked with, cried with, learned with, performed with, and won awards with... You guys are unlike any other and I'll remember every single one of you.
Mask of Zorro, Thrill Ride, Purple Pageant, and Arromanches. Two years of field show and two of parade. I hold back tears every time I look through pictures, every time I watch videos of shows, even when I just see my rifle gloves lying on the couch. There's this chasm in my heart every time I think about my journey with the CHS Marching Band and Colorguard being over. Thanks for making this last season one to remember.
Underclassmen - stick with marching band/guard. It's completely worth the work. No matter how hard this past season may have seemed, stick with it. It's an experience that can't be understood by anyone who hasn't gone through it, and one you'll never forget. And once you're a senior, you can look back and be absolutely amazed at how far you've come.
When people refer to high school being the best part of your life, they must be referring to experiences like these. Forever and always, CHS You Know!
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