Little Gansett Color Guard Scores Big Again!

Our little guard brought home two more medals again this month. We left last Saturday morning and returned later Sunday evening and had a blast! 

We first went to New Bedford, MA. This was a very nice school! Many people with happy faces walked around, waiting to perform. Unlike other competitions we could not view the performers who were before us, which was okay, but it is nice to see the other talent! 

We were escorted to the performance floor and were amazed at the size of the gym. There were stands everywhere – front, back and side! The girls set up the equipment, looked at me, and with a nod they were ready. The announcer stated who we were and asked the long awaited words, “Is the guard ready?”  Well they were…

The music started and I sat and watched with the other onlookers. Not a lot on this early chilly morning, but this was a small competition, and we were also competing the same weekend as another circuit, so not as many groups were there. As I watched my fab five flick their flags, spin their rifles and dance across the floor, I thought of things we could change for next time, or how I can improve this spot a little bit more. 

After the team finished, I ran back to them, hearing how this one messed up here, and this one dropped this, and oh this one forgot to do this… I tell them they did great, and this was not the time for corrections! 

We take our seat up high in the bleachers, waiting to see the show that follows us.  This was a two-for weekend – not only were we competing on two days, the show also featured a percussion competition!  So the girls loved to see this talent too! 

We waited and were amazed!  Another group from Rhode Island was there. They are called In-Prov, a group mainly from Providence, and mostly attending URI. They were all in the same theatre group and started a team. We cheered them on, not that we know them, but we enjoyed rooting for the home team! They did great!

Then we saw a percussion group from Bishop-Hendricken… Very good job!  They did so good, I can’t wait until our little school has a drum line! Well, they called the captains up and that meant… Awards!  Would we place this time? Well, we would have to take second place… Westport beat us again. The girls were a little upset, but I think it was good.

We drove to our hotel that was closer to the next school and put our bags in our rooms… Not bad on the water… But not what I thought… But are they ever like the pictures on the web??? 

We went out to eat at Friendly’s – this is not where you take five team members and a tagalong friend after a drum and guard meet. We were a little loud! Fun was had by all, so no trouble was caused!

We returned to the rooms, and the girls were going to take advantage of the heated pool after a little practicing and changing in the routine! So we squeezed into the hallways and worked, and worked, and then when they thought they were done, I had them run it again! 

We went back to change and found a little something extra in our rooms… ANTS! Yucko! So with a quick room change they still had some much needed time in the pool. A late return to the room made me ask them all to go to bed… EARLY, but that was not what they wanted! Too excited, they spent girl time chatting, and watching TV. I think I slept less than two hours!

We left in the morning beyond tired! Arriving at the next school like the walking dead, but once we were assigned times and rooms we went straight to work. We reviewed the huge changes we made just last night and nailed the routine! We were directed to the performance area and with almost no time were up next… I could not video them this time! No seats at all! 

They did not perform as I had wished – a little sloppy, but with huge smiles! Each face glowed! After exiting we took our seats again up high in the stands where the performers were to sit, but this time it was packed! We cheered on the Providence team again, and then it was time…

As the crowds were cheering for their captains my girls sat next to me, wishing, just hoping for a better score than the day prior. I do not push placement, but I do push for the team to score higher than the last show. Even if it is only by .05 of a point, they need to improve. There’s always room for improvement! 

They announced the team who had a score of 65.5… We looked at each other thinking, “Wow we went up again!”  But then they did not say Narragansett, they said Westport! That means we were first place!  We placed first, beating the team who beat us just 24 hours before! 

I think the next town overheard us scream! WOW, I thought. My fab five did it again! The ride home was filled with giggles and “what ifs” for the next show. But what I heard over and over again was, “I wished we had people in the stands.”

This is true, I do wish we had some supporters travel with us to cheer the team on! Well, we are hosting an event this weekend at the Ryan Center! We will not be competing but we will be performing Sunday around 2 p.m. 

This time could change, but we will be on no earlier than 2 p.m. and no later than 3 p.m.  I ask for you to join us, and come and enjoy a great performance, and not just by us, but the other groups from around the country! We look forward to seeing you Sunday!  And GO GANSETT!