When people watch the Bob Jones Winter Guard perform at shows or competitions, they only see the show; they often miss out on the best parts– the friendships formed, the work that they put into every show, the countless bruises from failed tosses, and the life lessons shared.

I remember going to a football game as a kid, and the most exciting part of the game was the halftime show. I couldn’t wait to get to high school, so I could be in guard. I am not in Color Guard at Bob Jones, but two of my closest friends are. I spent most of the summer learning tosses with them and hearing stories about the horrors and hilarities of band camp. The amount of work put into every show is extraordinary.  

I followed my friends to one of their practices and brought a camera I borrowed from the school along. I watched the girls rehearse their show “A Balancing Act.” The day I came to watch was a day that they were learning new work. Alex Meyer, a freshman, and another one of my close friends, assured me, “We aren’t usually like this, I promise,” wincing as another metal pole crashed against the gym floor. It was really cool to be able to watch the learning process. When they were first taught the work, the noise from the flags falling to the ground were frequent. After about 15 minutes, all of the tosses being thrown were caught.

Everyone was at the practice was nice and accepting. They told me about their show and joked around with me about other memories they had. They didn’t question why I was sprinting from one corner of the gym to the other, snapping pictures and attempting to protect my lense from the spinning six-foot metal poles. Looking back at the pictures while editing them makes me happy because you can really see that these girls were doing what they love.

Yunona Shkolnikov, a freshman joked, “To be honest, I spend more time at school than I do at home now.” The difference between Color Guard and Winter Guard is the difficulty, music, and setting of the show. Color Guard performs at football games alongside the marching band and is easier than Winter Guard. Winter Guard performs at other events and competitions, and their shows are set to pre-recorded music. It is more difficult.

If you are interested in joining Color Guard, there is a spin-clinic on April 15th at Bob Jones. It is from 1 pm – 5 pm. Be sure to bring $15. Anyone can come, even if you’ve never done guard before. Girls and boys can both do it.