Wheaton Warrenville South Winter Guard Wins Midwest Regional Competition

The Wheaton Warrenville South High School winter guard earned first place at the Midwest Cologuard Circuit Championships in LaPorte, Indiana. The team ended the season ranked first out of 13 winter guard programs in its division. Comprised of seven high school students as well as an eighth grader from Hubble Middle School, the guard placed first in the Scholastic AA Division.

Entitled “Living for the Stage,” this year’s show tells the story of a performer who only feels “alive” when she is in front of an audience. The routine is performed to Sam Tsui’s cover version of Lady Gaga’s hit song “Applause.” In addition to the music and interpretive movement of the guard members, voiceovers by WWS speech team member Cora McVey provided a dramatic effect to the routine.

Created by Amanda Reber, the director of the WWS Winter Guard program, the show features flags, rifles, sabres, and other props. Judges evaluate the routines based on movement and dance, design analysis of the show, how well the guard members use the standard guard equipment, and the overall general effect.

“For the first time in the history of the winter guard program, our team of 8 ladies beat every guard in their class and took home a first place trophy/medal. This was a long road for these girls going from being ranked 8th at the beginning of February and then coming out on top after revising our entire show. Most groups in our class are about 16-28 members, so it is huge that we were able to make a bigger impact with smaller numbers,” said Reber.

Now that the winter guard season is over, the WWS guard staff and the returning members of the guard will transition into the color guard season. The color guard performs with the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Marching Band at football games as well as competitions in the fall.

he color guard will be hosting clinics for current members and any interested high school student. Incoming freshman are invited to the clinics to learn more about the performance opportunities in the guard program; to have the opportunity to handle the flags, sabres, and rifles; and to meet staff and current members. The color guard is a non-cut activity.

Color guard clinics will take place on May 3 from 3-6 pm and on May 4 form 6-9 pm. All interested students should meet in the Wheaton Warrenville South orchestra room. Students may contact Amanda Reber at amandakreber@gmail.com for more information.