THS Color Guard Heading to Nationals

tcrow@taylorisd.org 

The Taylor High School Color Guard is heading to national competition. They advanced from Marching Auxiliaries North Texas Regional contest with two superior # 1 trophies, one in Team Flag and another in Team Flag and Rifle. They also received Best in Show for having the highest overall score.

“The girls did a fantastic job and received wonderful comments from the judges,” said Marcie Svatek, color guard director. “The judges said we were a well-trained guard!”

The rise to national recognition has been a fast paced journey for the relatively new team. They credit their success to a lot of hard work, dedication and the family atmosphere encouraged by Svatek.

“We spend weekends together and celebrate birthdays together,” said Katrina Moore. “We’ve won together and lost together. There’s so much that we’ve done as a team.”

The guard consists of nine returning members and nine that are new this year. While the girls say a division could have easily developed between the two groups, they also say that Svatek’s pairing of an experienced “big sister” with a new “little sister” quickly brought them together as one cohesive team.

“We’re eighteen teenage girls,” said Rachel Stabeno. “There’s the occasional classic teenage high school drama, but we all get over it because we are spending so much time together. You can’t keep a grudge because you have to talk to them sooner or later. We’ve created bonds with people you wouldn’t think you have a bond with.”

Svatek says she is glad they will have the opportunity of competing at nationals.

“It is a great experience for the girls and me,” she commented. “We will have the opportunity to watch other guards and dance teams and learn from them.”

Guard members say they are continuing the rigorous practice routine that proved successful at regionals.

“We do the same thing over and over and over again and clean it all the time,” said Emma Chapman. “That’s how we aced it. We would practice the same thing one more time, five times in a row. We have to perfect everything.”

The Taylor guard will travel to national competition at the Fort Worth Convention Center on March 24^th and 25^th.

The Taylor High School Color Guard members include Tawny Turner, Danielle Rios, Rachel Stabeno, Britaney Shelton, Raylin Fuentes, Jasmine Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Yaret Zamora, Ruby Mendoza, Emma Chapman, Katrina Moore, Jessica Alonso, Ariana Flores, Treanette Vasquez, Vanessa Hernandez, Kasey Stroud, Elizabeth Vasquez and Hailey Wooten.