This year Winter Guard celebrates its second season after its creation, and will include 7th and 8th graders on the team.

Winter Guard performs inside gyms at various competitions without the band, in contrast to color guard, which performs on the field with the band. Sara Meng, one of the color guard directors, returns after four seasons of marching band and two seasons of Winter Guard.

Meng stated her hopefulness for the upcoming season.

“We have a very strong team, five of our six fall members are joining us for the winter season, and we couldn’t be more excited. The girls work extremely well together and they always have fun. Their strengths are endless when they put their minds to a task,” Meng said.

The Revere Winter Guard practices weekly on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the main gym. Rehearsals typically begin with stretching and then body, which consists of dance combinations and technique. After that the team works with the flag for the remainder of the practice.
This year the sport opened up to 7th and 8th graders who want to join. Meng shared her thoughts on the difficulties that come with this change.

“Our challenge will be working with them to ensure that their skill levels match those of our experienced juniors and seniors on the team,” Meng said.

The Winter Guard girls will attend five competitions this year and perform at a local showcase prior to competing. Meng explained what the team will bring to these competitions.

“The girls will learn and perfect three to four minute performance that they will compete with throughout the season,” Meng said.

Senior Alexis Abou-Ghalioum continues to perform, both in Color and Winter Guard. Abou-Ghalioum hopes to qualify for states this season and to achieve a superior rating at that competition. Abou-Ghalioum explained what she enjoys about Winter Guard.

“We are such a close community, so meeting new people is always fun. But the feeling of a good performance is unreal. I’m not sure if I can describe it correctly. It’s like getting an A on a test you studied for hours for, but better,” Abou-Ghalioum said.

Abou-Ghalioum contrasted this season from previous ones.

“This year I think we have more experience so we can write in more difficult choreography,” Abou-Ghalioum said.

Junior Amanda Jarrell is a second year member. She explained why she joined color and Winter Guard.

“I love performing with my teammates at competitions,” Jarrell said.

Jarrell also shared one of her favorite experiences from her years performing with the Winter Guard.

“My favorite memory from Winter Guard last year would be winning first place at our first competition,” Jarrell said.

The Winter Guard competes Sunday, February 4 at Olentangy Liberty High School.