Importance of Color guards in schools by Ashlei

Importance of Color guards in schools by Ashlei - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

By its very definition, “Color guard uses various equipment, such as flags, rifles, and sabres, along with dance, to express dynamic passages in the music accompanying the marching band show”. However, by my definition, color guard is the sport that has made me who I am. I knew I wanted to do something in high school that I would enjoy, and I knew I was not athletic, so I talked to my band director. He convinced me that I would enjoy color guard. At the time I did not realize just how right he was. I wish I could say my “guard” career was all fun and games. It was not, not even close. I had to work so hard, during all of my free time, to even be able to spin a flag and walk at the same time. A great deal of blood, sweat, and tears made me realize I need to have confidence in myself. I knew if I constantly thought I could not do it, I would not. Working long hours every day with the same group of people allowed me to grow close to people I never thought I would even speak to. Being in guard allowed me to not only connect with the guard kids but with the band kids as well. I have accomplished so much in my years in color guard. I became captain, won many competitions, and even won a national title. Most importantly, I developed strong and lasting relationships with bright, dedicated and hard-working performers and musicians. Due to all of my efforts in guard, I grew to be confident, strong, and a team player.

If it were not for the guard, I would not be who I am today. The confident and strong girl I am today would still be the shy wallflower I was four years ago. Color guard has allowed for me to find a passion inside of me that I did not know I had. It has allowed for me to become aware of the importance of physical activity. If I had not joined color guard I would not have worked out every day for 3 hours after school. I would not have changed my diet to keep up with the lifestyle I have adopted. I would have continued to eat fast food multiple times a week. I now am a vegetarian who watches everything I eat. Color guard has allowed me to not only find a passion but to become healthy and fit. It has made me an advocate for physical education.