Wiregrass Ranch High School’s (WRHS) indoor sports of the arts (indoor percussion, JV winterguard, and varsity winterguard) took a trip to Daytona Beach, Florida from Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2 to compete in the state championship. This competition was hosted by the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit (FFCC) at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center.

In preparation for this event, all three teams practiced intensely in Florida’s changing winter weather for about four months, while attending smaller competitions throughout the season, and even hosting an indoor percussion competition here at WRHS in February.

On Friday, the first day of competition, JV winterguard competed and received third place in their division, meaning each team member got to walk away with bronze medals.

Gallery • 11 Photos

Monica Converse

The JV team's mascot, Iris

JV captain Amber Dickens, a freshman, described the feeling of anxiety while waiting with fellow captain Jasmine Abdel for WRHS to be placed.

“The moments when they called 14th-5th place, Jasmine and I just grabbed- each other’s hand and squeezed so hard they went numb, but that didn’t matter,” Dickens said. “Suddenly they announced another team for 4th place and everyone looked at each other in shock.”

Saturday was the second day of competition, and indoor percussion performed, receiving 11th place in their competitive division. Students from both guard teams came out to watch their friends put on an excellent show.

The last day of competition was Sunday, which was the day that varsity winterguard competed. They too earned third place, and took home bronze medals.

Gallery • 11 Photos

Band Boosters

Two varsity members after awards

Guard coach, Kristi Pierce, talked about the unique experience that these sports gives students.

“An old man walking by the varsity group during warm-up asked me if the kids get paid to do this. I told him no, and he was surprised and said ‘this is over my head!'” Pierce laughed. “Understanding colorguard and why we do it is unexplainable, unless you experience it.”

Pierce continued, “Rehearsals, frustrations, aches, stress, practicing outside, giving up time to be dedicated to our group, wearing things you would never wear. I can see where that old man was coming from, but the life lessons, friendships, the feeling of performing, and then earning a medal for all the hard work, makes it worth every second!”

Any student can be included in this experience by signing up for guard or percussion for the fall marching and/or winter indoor seasons, just talk to any student in these groups or director Patrick Duncan.