The Color Guard program resumed this fall with eight students from San Pasqual High School, marking its return after three years of recruitment efforts. Guard met every seventh period, where students learned how to handle flag work and a dance routine, with live music from our marching band.
“With only eight students we hope our funding, posting on social media, fliers, and just in general the word ‘color guard’ can get out there,” Claire Tongpalad, Band teacher, said.
Tongpalad is working to increase the visibility of Color Guard, employing various strategies to encourage student participation. With the full commitment of the Patriots, staff members and students have shown their support by attending fundraisers, helping the band reach the necessary funds to enter competitions. The leftover money raised goes towards costumes, props, and equipment for Color Guard and to the Marching Band as they work together.
“I have been going to their fundraisers since last semester, just hoping that students will have fun and learn leadership,” Shane Hawk, History teacher, said.
These fundraisers and events have provided students with a platform to not only have fun but also to develop essential qualities such as teamwork, communication, and confidence. The impact of these experiences is evident as students take on more responsibilities and showcase their abilities in front of their peers and the community. With these skills they learn they don’t only use it for themselves but to also be a helpful hand to their team members.
“Being equal to my group and having leadership gives me a voice and helps me perform. I want to create guard-related shows and advertise our group’s name into our team work,” said Julian Nieto, Guard captain, 12.
Eight students involved in color guard, Nieto, plans to get color guard out there wanting to do a performance based on their skills and the conduct of color guard. As Color Guard has their plan set to continue their way of growing, and to come out with performance to get attention from others interested they caught a beginners band member.
“I want to get better at playing and perform with the advanced band then Color Guard at some point during the year,” Leif Bolen, Upper woodwind/oboe, 9 said.
