Catching Your Eye By Catching the Flag

“Alright we’re going to run the entire flag feature!” shouts Colorguard coach,  John Arroyo. The guard is preparing for this year’s winterguard show, whose theme is New York, featuring Alicia Keys’ “New York” as the soundtrack.

Colorguard is maintained by John Arroyo, Kelly Davis, and oftentimes,  alumni faculty or volunteers. Besides the show itself, Colorguard is a hefty commitment.   The first period fine art is also a 0 period, and the guard performs in field shows with the band until November.  Then it becomes a full time Winterguard.

Now is the time when the team becomes its most competitive, and it’s closest.

“Training and preparation for competition is important to being successful,” says Arroyo, “[But] my goal is to always provide a great experience for the members.”

Colorguard as a fine art is likely one of the most challenging choices, but the payoff is monumental.  Not only does it render the required PE credits, but the guard competes all over Southern California, and even takes a trip to Las Vegas for one of their tournaments.

Competitions during the winter season are, “more intimate” according to Arroyo.  Plus, “There are more groups to see at competitions [than during field season,” which likely makes the competitive season all the more exhilarating.

The rehearsals that go into competitive performances occur during zero period, first period, on Monday rehearsals from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, and Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  But the rehearsals are far more than choreographing the foundational dance that goes into the shows. The shows include six foot flags, spun, tossed and displayed, as well as sabers and rifles.

“[It’s normally] fast tempo stuff [or] difficult tosses,” says Senior Captain, Katie Kuwahara.  “[But] John only gives us… challenges if he [thinks] we [can] do it.”

As far as guard goes as a class, grades are based on tardiness,  attendance, and genuine effort; just as it is in any sport or art.  Additionally, the finals are unlike typical classes which consist of tests or essays.

“For the first semester we don’t have finals because we are learning so much of the winter guard show,” Arroyo says. “A the end of second semester, the final consists of group routines where they can show off their creativity and other skills.”

In short, Colorguard is one of the most unique fine arts anyone could sign up for.  The team grows so close with each other and their instructors throughout all of their time together.  Even when “Esperanza’s student population was essentially cut in half in 2008,” as told by band director and field show director, Brad Davis, the Esperanza Entertainment Unit maintained its performance quality.

Just last year, eight seniors graduated from the Colorguard team, but the girls remained undefeated during field season.  It is truly a testament to the work that goes into the program.

Of all that is demonstrated, however, one of the most important things to learn, according to Kuwahara, is that “Sometimes you have to work for things, to understand [the] basics before moving on… [You need] patience… and wisdom.”