Freshman Maddie Chew remembers walking off the tarp-covered floor last Saturday, wondering if her toes were pointed enough or if the judge saw her drop her flag.

Fortunately for her and the rest of Naperville North’s winter guard, the Northern Lights, the competition resulted in a first place finish for the girls in their division at the Midwest Color Guard Circuit Championships in LaPorte, Indiana.

“We’ve improved as a group throughout the whole season,” Chew said. “At our first competition, we didn’t even have the show finished and got last place.”

The Northern Lights competed against 13 other teams in the Scholastic Regional A class, winning first place in all categories of equipment and movement. They averaged a fourth and fifth place finish in both general effect as well as in design, leaving them with an overall score of 83.02.

“Our general effect scores are averaged to one score,” Chew said. “We are also judged on how high our tosses are, how well we dance and the story line.”

Their show, entitled “Stay,” is set to the number “Your Guardian Angel” by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. The production depicts various guard members trying to comfort a girl whose father has passed away. During competition, the girls spin and toss rifles, sabres and flags. They end with a flag feature.

Chew, who has been involved in guard since elementary school, mainly spins rifles and flags.

“My favorite piece of equipment would be the rifle,” Chew said. “Sabers, although delicate, can be very hurtful, and I’ve just always loved the rifle.”

After the last competition, Chew said she will miss the family aspect that winter guard offered her.

“The best part about competition would be getting nervous right before our performance,” Chew said. “All of us get ready together and we also get nervous together. It’s a great family.”