Though Yorba Linda High School offers a variety of different sports, Colorguard has its uniqueness that sets it apart from the others. From the exciting collaboration between Colorguard and Band in the fall season to the graceful winter performances, it is awe-inspiring to see Colorguard effortlessly pull off their choreography.
Colorguard is a year-round program coached by Ariana Cruz and Vanessa Van Heel. Each year consists of two distinct seasons: field season and winter guard. In the fall field season, Colorguard teams up with Band to perform during the halftime show of home football games. The spectacle consists of three parts over seven minutes. With the support of the band and guard, the Yorba Linda football team can perform at its best. Along with football games, the Colorguard competes in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, where they can test their talents against other high schools. This year, Colorguard placed third overall in the championship at SCSBOA and was able to enter their winter season after a successful first half.
Contrary to the field season, Winterguard primarily focuses on just Colorguard as they split off from the Band. The goal for this season is to put on a graceful and synchronized show, which requires a good deal of preparation and practice. This consists of a more lyrical performance using a pop song or a spoken track over music. Winter guard is also staged in the indoor gym rather than the field.
For this season, the Winterguard competes at the Winter Guard Association of Southern California. With their majestic performance, the talented team took third place in the first round of the WGASC championships. As she finishes her second year on Colorguard, Mikayla Wang (10) shares, “Winterguard is personally my favorite season because of its focus on guard and just the fact that this is our show, and we can add our spice to it.”
As the Colorguard season comes to a close, so does the 2023 to 2024 school year. From the early morning practices and synergy from putting together a performance, the Colorguard team has created a unique and warm family. The Colorguard community has a bond full of support and encouragement. Mikayla (10) expresses, “I wouldn’t trade Colorguard for any other sport in the world. It has definitely helped me to build endurance and strength and get out of my shell.”
