If you have ever been to a football game at Aliso Niguel High School, you have definitely seen all of the excitement and the fun that students are having. With all of the opportunities to dress up, cheer on the players and hang out with friends, it can be easy to overlook what is happening on the field during halftime. Aliso Niguel’s Color Guard often performs, and they do an amazing job each time.
Under the direction of Mr. Jonathan Chen, Mr. Ricky Jones, Mr. Alex Lopez and coach Jasmine, Aliso Niguel High School’s Color Guard is filled with amazing talents, skills and energy put into their performances. Color Guard is the visual component of a marching band that consists of students using incredible equipment, such as rifles, flags and even choreography to go along with the music played by the marching band.
A lot of students join Aliso Niguel’s Color Guard because of the positive setting and the friends that they make. With all of the practices and the performances, athletes get a chance to make friends and connect with the other athletes.
Jomana Atia (10) says,“my favorite part of Color Guard is that we are all really close together and we always try to make things fun and enjoyable.”
Like Atia, other athletes in Guard feel the same way. Color Guard is a great way to share fun experiences and make amazing memories with each other.
Historically, Color Guard originated from military traditions of protecting the regimental colors, represented by the flags, and overtime has turned into a mentally and physically demanding activity that is both athletic and artistic. Color Guard is an amazing way for students to learn about history and how its significance connects to our world today.
For Color Guard athletes, it is more than just a chance to perform at halftime. It is a year round commitment requiring strength, teamwork and choreography. The flags and other props are not just for show, they tell a story through each performance.
Color Guard’s season starts long before the school year begins. Athletes will attend band camp to welcome new athletes and keep practicing the amazing skills they have acquired over the years. Practices can go on for a few hours in the sun, but the performance at halftime and other competitions makes it worth it in the end.
Atia says that “Aliso Niguel’s Color Guard is currently in eleventh place. You need to be in the top 16 in order to participate in the Grand Champs, which is the finale.”
With strength and determination, Color Guard has put on an amazing show at all of their competitions this year. Placing eleventh is amazing, and they definitely have a shot at making Grand champs. With a lot of practice and teamwork, Color Guard’s amazing work is reflected at each competition they attend.
Behind the scenes, teamwork and timing is key. Members rely on each other for timing and precision in their routines, but they also support each other and lift each other up with encouragement. No matter what happens this season, Color Guard’s strength, perseverance and determination will allow for them to continue on this amazing season and make it one to remember.
