By Annette Aucamp & Anna-Carolina Knapp

The Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Winter Guard team was awarded 1st place out of 61 teams at the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC) first competition of the season, which took place on March 2 at Rowland High School.

Captains and juniors Kristin Schwartz and Darylyn Tenorio lead the team of nine students also including freshmen Myah Majalca and Mia Salinas and sophomores, Stella Kim, Arianna Lee, Rosha Mazdyasni, Viviana Morales, and Ellison Nguyen. 

Winter Guard is the sport of indoor Color Guard. The team marches with the marching band during the fall semester and competes separately and indoors during the spring semester. Color Guard is performing art in which those competing spin flags, sabers, rifles, and other equipment. Their performances also include dancing and interpretive movements choreographed by their coach Juan Gonzalez.

Their March 2 competition sets them up for the rest of their season, with the next competition being on March 30 in Orange County and their championships taking place on April 6.

The GHC Winter Guard team competes within the Scholastic A division, which is one of the more advanced divisions. They are also one of the last teams to compete in their competitions. While waiting to compete, the team warms up with dance stretches and specific routines to warm up their wrists. They also help other schools set up their floors and watch other teams’ routines.

Reaching the potential necessary to earn first place in this large competition took an abundance of dedication and time. They have been preparing this routine since January, practicing every morning during zero and first period. They also devote their Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to practicing in the gym with their standard 50x40ft mat from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

“The overall performance that you get at the end makes all the hours worth it along with the relationships you make on the way,” sophomore Viviana Morales said.