The LHS Winter Guard team started its competitions in January, and so far, it’s shaping up to be a great, memorable season.
Winter Guard is a very active sport that takes place after the Color Guard season. Each group does choreographed routines that are performed with a marching band. They practice in a gym and also attend competitions, just like the Color Guard does. The difference is that a Winter Guard performance is a dance with props.
According to Katelyn LaDow, a sophomore at LHS, success in Winter Guard is based on determination and mindset along with skill.
So far this season, Winter Guard has had both its ups and downs. They shared that they can get docked points for not giving enough space on the floor between the performers.
LaDow said her favorite tricks are “probably any 45,” referring to a flag being tossed and released at a 45-degree angle.
For Miranda Johnson, a junior at LHS, her favorites are saber blade tosses, she said. This trick involves using a saber blade and tossing it into the air to make it spin.
Avery Bigler is a junior at LHS. She noted that the team likes to learn complex tricks, especially Johnson.
The team’s choreographer, Jenny Ramey, wouldn’t make any cuts during tryouts, LaDow shared.
“She believes everyone should have a chance at it,” LaDow said.
She also shared that this is one of the largest groups they’ve had in recent years, with nine LHS students currently on the team. Along with LaDow, Johnson, and Bigler, there is Garret Qualman, who is a freshman at LHS, Emma Marzolf, who is a freshman, Dorothy Pederson, an online freshman, Jade Cox, a freshman, and Avelyn Campbell, a freshman.
Their upcoming events include a showcase on April 3 at Clarkston High School, and they will wrap up the season April 25 at Ridgeview High School in Boise.
