By Katie Jenkins
Junior Andrew Rocco wields sabers, rifles, and flags on a routine basis.
“[My friends of Color Guard] said that being a guy, it would be really good for the team to have the extra strength,” said Rocco. “They had me do the clinics sophomore year, and I ended up being really good.”
As the sole male member of the Northern Lights Winter Guard, Rocco finds enjoyment through this creative outlet. The guard is performing to the music of Phil Collins in a show modeled after Tarzan, mixing choreographed dancing and spinning. The Northern Lights dedicate a minimum of nine hours each week to practicing this competition show.
This intensive schedule allows the guard to prepare themselves for an entirely new level of competition. On January 27, NNHS hosted a competition that attracted elite color guards throughout the region. By next year’s time, the Northern Lights will compete against these teams for the first time. They performed their show in exhibition, giving them a taste of the years to come.
“Color Guard is just a different form of expression. I am also a swimmer, so most of the time it’s all about strength,” said Rocco. “Being in this group allows me to ease off and explore different forms of strength.”
Yet, the Color Guard is much more than an athletic team to its members. Many members, including Rocco, consider the team their second family. Head Coach Viviana Stokes-Mendoza also recognizes that this experience is giving the members of the Northern Lights much more than a physical workout.
“Overall, they get a lot of teamwork. They consider themselves a small family, and they understand that everything they do affects the team,” said Stokes-Mendoza. “Just because you have a bad day doesn’t mean you can’t perform or do what you need to do.”
This sense camaraderie allows the members of the team to push themselves both mentally and physically. If they are able to acquire a strong skill set and GPA, there are a plethora of scholarship opportunities available.
The Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) offers several scholarship opportunities for those who meet and exceed their standards. Currently, the IDTA is offering up to $750 to exceptionally talented applicants. According to Stokes-Mendoza, many associations and clubs throughout the Midwest Circuit also offer scholarships.
“If [members of the Color Guard] choose to go to college, there are a lot of colleges with Color Guards,” said Stokes-Mendoza. “A lot of the bigger schools have them, and they hold tryouts.”
Considering today’s bleak economic climate, a scholarship is the ticket many students need. At NNHS, that Color Guard is an up-and-coming sport that can open doors to these promising opportunities.
After four seasons of participating on the guard, Junior Jamie Danemayer is certain that she will continue spinning after high school. Whether or not she attends a college with an established guard, she will continue to learn and perform independently.
“It’s a place where I can feel a sense of accomplishment. I have met a lot of great people, and I have learned a lot of new skills,” said Danemayer. “It’s just really fun.”
