More than just twirlers

Background of Colorguard

Lina: When I was young, I goofed around with my cousins’ colorguard stuff. I’ve done four years of colorguard as a flag, three as a Captain.

Sirena: I have done colorguard all four years of high school and performed in winterguard my freshman and sophomore year [back in my old school in Florida]. I can spin flag, sabre, rifle, and aireblade.

First experiences as Captain?

L: I was a Captain in sophomore year and there were people older than me who didn’t listen to me. There was this one senior girl who wanted to be Captain and quit because she didn’t get the position. But it’s good that I started so early because I have so much experience now.

S: It’s nice being in charge and getting to make decisions, but some people will not stop talking unless you threaten them or tie a muzzle to their mouth.

Advice for Underclassmen

L: A lot of people quit early and they don’t see the benefits that come in the long run.

S: Don’t give up. Yes, bruises will start to form. Yes, you probably will want to burn your flag. You’ll just get used to it.

How it changed since you first came?

L: There was only seven people. It was really easy and the practices were not as long. We only had Stephanie C. [majorette], flags, and shields. We used to not have so many Saturday practices. Now we have forty people, with sabres, tall flags, flags, and shields.

Weirdest thing you’ve done for guard?

L: Strip in public.

S: Shadow sword fight the other sabres and then dramatically die when got “stabbed”.

Most intense practice?

L: Freshman year, my first Saturday practice before the last march [mid-November], from 8 in the morning to 8 at night. It was windy and rainy for a period of time.

S: Band camp [in the summer] when it was around 90° and we were practicing outside with no shade.