As the 2024 school year begins at Armuchee High School, so does the color guard season, and students are practicing to make it the best one yet. After a successful season the previous year, hopes are high as the team looks ahead to the new year. Starting in July, the color guard prepares for upcoming competitions and shows. Working hard while training, the team is excited to show what the Armuchee Color Guard is all about.
This season, the color guard team is met with new challenges. After injuries and former Armuchee High School students moving to different areas, they face a team of twelve shrinking to eight. As the members of the color guard train, they express concerns over having fewer teammates this year. Ceaira Armstrong, a sophomore at Armuchee High School, said, “It’s harder for us to represent Armuchee because we don’t have as many guard members as we used to.” Despite these challenges, the team continues to work hard to improve themselves. Now more than ever, it is clear that they must show what the Armuchee spirit is all about. This has not proved to be an easy task, and some worries have presented themselves. A senior on the team, Trey Main, was concerned about scores for upcoming performances. She said, “The judges can pinpoint certain mistakes from people because there are less of us to judge.” Even with their apprehension, the Armuchee color guard knows they can hit their goals when they work together.
While the team is smaller this season, their community continues to grow stronger by the day. Alongside the color guard members are the coaches, admired for their readiness to support the team at every turn. Coach Lamar is praised by the team for his energy and passion toward the sport. The captain of the color guard team, Amelia Kneifl, said, “He’s very enthusiastic, and he kind of matches our vibe, he’s so fun to be around.” The second coach, Coach Maine, is beloved by the guard for her skills in dancing, “Coach Maine helps us with the dancing, and then we put the dancing with the flag choreography– it just looks so amazing!” said Ceaira Armstrong. Following the guidance of the coaches, the team finds themselves in close friendships with each other, and that encourages them to work together to perform. Trey Main said, “It’s just like we’re one big, happy family in the end because we all know that we have to work together and we all just get along somehow!”
The team’s excitement for the season grows as they lay down their expectations. They work on their weaker points, hoping to improve on their skills for their future performances. Trey Main said, “We’re trying to be the best of the best, and also the fact that we’re just trying to improve ourselves as a whole.” Working together, the team believes if they put in the work, they can make this their best year yet. The guard members know they can stand out in competition by showing that they are all about teamwork and ambition. Ceaira Armstrong said, “I know we can bring home number one in competition.” Many team members set their own goals this season, encouraging themselves to refine their skills. Amelia Kneifl said “I want to get a six on rifle and a better angle toss.” With the Color Guard being taught by their dedicated coaches, they know it is only a matter of time before they show what being part of the Tribe’s sports 1s all about.
