Anna Paul Week 16; The Tosses That Matter

 The Tosses That Matter

The time has finally arrived for the final blog. I feel like this should focus on something that is important to me. Something that has truly impacted me throughout the school year.

If you have known me for a while, you would be aware that I do color guard. I even mentioned it in my introduction video during the beginning of the year. For my final blog, I want to focus on my memories with guard since I only have one more year to enjoy it in high school. 

As you are reading this, you either have or have no idea what color guard is. Color guard, during fall season or first semester of a school year, is a section of the marching band that provides visuals like the pretty pops of colors. In guard, you are able to toss 6ft flags, rifles, and sabres. These are obviously dangerous to toss but with guard we were able to learn the safeties needed to be able to deal with such equipment. 

"Discovery Bay Studios."
Throughout my junior year, I was so worried about guard since I never thought that I was good enough to actually be able to do it. Now nearing the end of junior year, I have definitely proved myself wrong. From my first year of marching band and winter guard, which occurs during second semester  and is one of three winter season extracurriculars, I remember learning a lot. I truly never thought that guard would impact me as much as it does now. 

Though it might sound clique, it helped me find new friends and throughout the seasons I felt that it helped develop my confidence more. 

As I am writing this blog, I have applied for guard captain which is the leadership position for color guard. If you were to ask me when I started if I would even consider applying, I would probably laugh at you. But as I grew as a guard member, I felt that it was something I wanted to continue even when I graduate from high school. It is something that cannot be taken away so easily because it helped me create many wonderful memories that helped me through my junior year. 


What is Color Guard?


Comments

  1. Mai PMay 22, 2024 at 12:08 AM

    Hi Anna. It is sad to see that this is going to be my last comment to you after I have been such a dutiful commentator on your lovely blogs. I remember tuning in for your biweekly book reviews and I think I have gotten a much deeper understanding of the popular literature in circulation just from those reviews alone. And as you were talking about color guard, which congrats on the captainship, I could not help but think of my extracurriculars as well. For me, I have been a really dutiful member of mock trial and it has made up such a big part of my high school experience. I joined the spring of my freshmen and I had no idea just how impactful it would be in shaping the person I am. Compared to who I was at the beginning of the year I am way more confident. I am able to stand by my opinions and fight for myself when I need to. There is a sense of security in who I am and I also think that my ability to public speak has gotten better as well. And, not to mention, I have made so many friends through it with some of my closest friends being because of the late nights that we spent on mock trials or the early mornings where we groggily studied. It is definitely a beloved part of my high school experience that I never want to forget.

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