The members of Color Guard are used to showing off their talents in the season of fallen leaves and pumpkins. This year, however, they proved their aptitude for dancing during the coldest season on the new Winter Guard team. While there was a Winter Guard before, it has been a while since it’s reared its dancing head at SCHS.

“The last time we had a Winter Guard that I can find is 2017, although the last plaque I can find is 2015,” guard captain junior Emma Johannes said.

Originally, the Winter Guard was meant to perform as a percussion unit with the guard added onto it, but there were not enough people to fill the percussion unit. Even without their percussion pals, Winter Guard had many skills to help them through the season.

“A skill I learned is how to get people up into lifts,” team member junior Alex Johns said. 

Along with lifting people up, the Winter Guard worked with flags, which Johns enjoyed immensely. Other team members, such as junior Isabella Lathan, have always had a passion for the color guard in general. 

“I wanted to do marching band season back in middle school, but then I got into dance already, so I just decided it was time,” Lathan said. 

 It was these talents and passion that led the Winter Guard to pit themselves against other guard teams. 

“We went to Edwardsville and O’Fallon Township for competitions, both in Illinois,” Johannes said. 

In Edwardsville, the Winter Guard achieved a score of 57 points, earning them ninth place. In O’Fallon, the Winter Guard achieved a high rank at sixth place with 61 points. This was all achieved without the Winter Guard obtaining any school funding.

“This show was entirely homegrown, we’re funded by just the team and the coach,” Johannes said. 

Similarly to how the Winter Guard lifts each other up in the air, they lift each other up in spirit, creating close bonds and friendships. 

“I’m really close with all of them, I hang out with them outside of Winter Guard,” Johns said. 

Although the Missouri winter can seem bleak and endless at times, the Winter Guard does their duties and marches on. They’ve experienced a brand new and successful season this year, and look forward to the future of the rediscovered team.