State Champions Anonymous

Tell us an accomplishment, talent, or quality about yourself. What about this accomplishment or quality relates to who you are today?

“State Champions.”

Those are two words any competitor would like to hear, and I had the privilege and honor of hearing them in my sophomore year in the regiment, or band and colorguard. People typically react with surprise when they learn that bands compete. “But band is not a sport!” they say, bewildered. It might not be typical, but it takes the same determination to be a champion regiment as any traditional athletic team. The experience of being in the regiment is extraordinary, and I will try my best to explain the unbelievable feeling of marching on a field under the Saturday night lights.

Simply imagine practicing for countless hours during the summer and the school year. Think about the heat and sweat you would have to endure. For the band, it is about having perfect marching technique and hitting specific spots to create artful formations with each individual, all the while playing your instrument, keeping your notes and tune perfect, and staying in tempo! With the colorguard, it is also about hitting your spots and creating formations, in addition to maneuvering equipment, having perfect...