Winter Color Guard Team Goes International
Post date: Jan 30, 2014 3:15:21 PM
One of three Winter Color Guard teams in Wells-Ogunquit CSD is embarking on a big adventure this winter by preparing to compete at the Winter Guard International (WGI) regional competition on February 8th at Salem High School in Salem, Massachusetts. According to Color Guard Coach Bailey Smith, the ‘Scholastic A Team’ is also making local history by being the first winter color guard team from Wells-Ogunquit CSD to compete at the international level.
Even though Winter Color Guard season does not start until March, the Scholastic A Team has been practicing their routine for this challenge for several months at various locations within the District. The team’s routine for the competition is timed and set to Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
“This is a group of 12 very talented young ladies who have been working since November on an extremely difficult show,” shared Smith who added that the team has been practicing three times per week for this event. It was Smith who was instrumental in getting the winter color guard program going in the District in the winter of 2010.
“Going to WGI…is a really great opportunity,” commented team’s Captain Adrienne Perron. “This is the fourth year our school has had a winter guard team, and it's really cool that we have gotten to the point where we are already good enough to go.”
“Winter Guard International is such an amazing opportunity for us,” commented Co-Captain Emilee Wooldridge who believes the team has “grown and advanced so much” since the team’s first season. “Four years ago we never would've thought we'd ever get a chance to perform on this level.”
Currently there are numerous winter color guard teams in Maine. The Maine Band Directors Association (MBDA) sponsors regional in state competitions for these teams.
“Our program is continuing to grow,” observed Smith who added that the winter color guard program has two teams at Wells High School and one at Wells Junior High School.
According to Smith, her teams will be hosting performances this year beginning in March with the MBDA Winter Guard Competition to take place on Sunday, March 16th at 1:00 p.m. in the Ronco Gymnasium at Wells High School.
Winter Guard teams “create their own show using recorded music, dance, flags, and other visual props,” commented Smith. Smith’s team assistants are Dianah Shelley and Amy Cashman.
In preparation for their debut WGI performance, the Scholastic A Team will be performing a “sneak peek” in the Ronco Gymnasium at Wells High School on February 7th at 8:00 p.m. This event is open to the public and free of charge. The group will perform their show twice (each run is approximately 5 minutes long). Please come and wish them luck before they head off to competition.
In alphabetical order the Scholastic A Team consists of Mallory Cashman, Samantha Chase, Sarah Clawson, Anna Libby, Emily Mott, Courtney Nilosek, Adrienne Perron, Hannah Rhodes, Isabella White, Emilee Wooldridge, Grace Wright.
Caption: The Scholastic A Team: In the back row (l to r) Grace Wright, Courtney Nilosek, Hannah Rhodes, Mallory Cashman. Left Side: (top) Emilee Wooldridge and Adrienne Perron. Right side: (top) Sarah Clawson and Samantha Chase. Front row: (l to r) Anna Libby and Emily Mott. Team member missing from the photo: Isabella White.
Caption: Scholastic A Team practicing a routine that they will perform at Winter Guard International (WGI) on February 8th.
Caption: Winter Color Guard Team Captain and Wells High School sophomore Adrienne Perron (left) and Co-Captain Emilee Wooldridge, a senior at WHS.