Photos from the Hamilton Color Guard, taken by Roberta Pratt.

An often unrecognized part of a marching band is the color guard. They put in endless hours of work to add another touch to the overall performance. The Hamilton Color Guard is no exception. This talented group of students has put in so much effort in order to pull off their incredible performance this season.

The guard has worked tirelessly throughout the season to make sure their performance was amazing. When asked about the practice schedule, 8th grade guard member Izzy Sturino explained that the guard actually starts practice around Memorial Day and has sporadic practices until band camp. Band camp is the time for the guard to truly lock in. Band camp is the time to learn new choreography, teach new members the basics of guard, and work on building a connection among the team. The guard then practices on Mondays and Wednesdays with the band but also has additional practices to rehearse specific parts of choreography whenever necessary. Needless to say, this group works extremely hard in order to make their performance the best it can be.

I asked freshman guard member Olivia Wilhelm to give me a little bit of insight as to what the performance, “A Pirate’s Adventure” was about and how the guard contributed to the overall story. Wilhelm explained that the entire show follows the guard as they portray pirates who get lost at sea and have to battle monsters in order to get their gold. The first movement portrays the guard members as pirates who are fighting over which way to go and end up losing their items as they go into battle. The second movement portrays the guard as hopeless and lost as they become stranded at sea. The third and final movement shows the guard finding their direction, but not without challenge. The members have to fight off monsters but finally end with their treasure. The guard is a crucial part of conveying the story and they have done an incredible job this season!

One key part of color guard that really adds to their performance is the ability of the group to grow and trust each other. Since the group rehearses so much there are multiple opportunities to bring the team together, which enhances their performances. When asked about the connection of color guard, junior Alyssa Bemann said, “This group has helped me grow by allowing me to work for a group effort and by finding friends that will push me to do my best!”

Guard Captain Ray Kramer expressed how proud of this group she is. When asked to comment on the team this year she said, “I am really proud of how our group grew over the season. Our two new members picked up very quickly and our returning members worked hard to further their skills. I’m so proud of all of us and I hope we continue the energy we put forth this season in the future.” Despite not winning any awards this season, the guard ended up getting a record high score of a 3.9/5. Congratulations to all of the guard members that have put in so much effort!

Get to know each Guard member!

Alyssa Bemann

Alyssa is a junior and this is her third year in color guard.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“I think it is the Smith Walbridge camp we do each year. It is a four day camp where we are able to work with others in color guard across the US and tone/learn new skills. I love this camp because not only does it help us create a stable technique but [it] helps us get to know new members as well. After practice we are able to go swimming, bowling, and attend/perform in a talent show. It overall is very fun and a highlight of the summer.”

What was something special about this year?

“This was our first year of having saber as one of our main pieces of equipment. In the last few years, past members have used it briefly but not to the extent that we did this year.”

Josie Mutz

Josie is a junior and this is her third year in color guard.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“One of my favorite memories from this year is when we have pep talks on the bus before a competition.”

What was something special about this year?

“It wasn’t about how well we did, it was the experience and the relationship that we made.”

Ray Kramer - Guard Captain

Ray is a junior and this is her third year in color guard as well as her first year serving as Guard Captain.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“At Germantown Mrching Madness, all of the bands there get together to play pep tunes, and the guards do the Germantown pep tune routines. During "Just Dance" all of the guards get into a big circle and you can jump in and dance. This year, Olivia and I jumped into the middle and did 67, and then Josie and Izzy jumped in and did a cool splits thing, and it was super fun. It led us to making new friends at other schools!”

What was something special about this year?

“We performed and practiced like a team instead of individuals. This year's group came together and hit it off almost instantly!”

Emily Savatski

Emily is a sophomore this year and this is her second year in color guard, but she has been doing parades and clinics since she was in 6th grade!

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“It would be hard to choose just one, but really anytime we were all together and having fun, making jokes that would never get old, trying new tosses and even recovering from several injuries. The community that we build together through our shared experiences is truly special.”

What was something special about this year?

“We hung out a lot more outside of guard, including a Halloween party, a sleepover before going to Smith Walbridge camp, a banquet celebration at the end of the season, as well as the upcoming Christmas party where we adopt children and wrap gifts to give less fortunate children whose families can't afford gifts. Our coaches also went to a camp, and their goal was for this season to be more competitive and more rigorous than last year.”

Paige Braman

Paige is a sophomore and this is her second year in color guard.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“This whole season has been really fun, so I don’t know, this whole year of guard!”

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“I broke my ankle in May but I was still able to perform my best through all of the football games and competitions and was able to use a sabor in the show. That was fun.”

Olivia Wilhelm

Olivia is a freshman in high school and this is her second year in color guard. She actually started doing color guard in 8th grade.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“Most of my favorite memories come from the state performance at UW- Whitewater! When I started in color guard I was in 7th grade but I became a part of the band during 8th grade! At state it was very nerve-wracking mostly because I was the only 8th grader in the whole band. State was the place that made me think I was able to do more than ever because I was surrounded by some of my favorite people ever.”

What was something special about this year?

“Something special about this year is that I became friends with two of my now best friends. Even though one of them is an 8th grader and one is a sophomore, I don't know what I would do without them. I am always talking about how I miss band BECAUSE of them. This year in color guard has made me realize that color guard is a second family to me and not just another group of friends.”

Sabrina Rowe

Sabrina is a freshman this year and this is her first year in color guard.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“Being with the color guard every single day at the Smith Walbridge Color Guard Camp. I had only been in color guard for a month, and that had really got me more connected with the team.”

What was something special about this year?

“We were more connected with the marching band than any of the other years in the past.”

Izzy Sturino

Izzy is in 8th grade and this is her first year in color guard.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“It would probably have to be when we had our first team sleepover at Josie's house. They told us they were taking us to Culver’s, but we really had a sleepover!!”

What was something special about this year?

“Something special about this year would have to be being able to march this year as an 8th grader. It was an amazing experience, and it was definitely worth it! It was amazing making new friends, and expanding my friendships beyond color guard! It was also fun to march alongside my cousin!”

Emma Winter

Emma is a sophmore in highschool and this is her second year in color guard.

What is your favorite memory of being in color guard?

“My favorite memory of being in guard is competition dats when we work together as a group to do each others’ hair and get to know each other better.”

What was something special about this year?