Color guard continues to compete in spring season
Samohi Band - Flickr / The Samohi
Ava Crampton (’25) performs with Color Guard as they use flags to dance alongside Marching Band in the fifth competition of the Marching Band season on November 11, 2023.
Color guard is a performing art that incorporates contemporary and jazz fundamentals along with anything that implements color and story into performances. For this, they use equipment varieties such as flags, rifles and sabers.
In the fall, Samo’s color guard team performs with the marching band in a competitive circuit known as the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). The team had a successful season this fall, placing 2nd at the SCSBOA championships with the marching band and 4th in their own category.
The color guard team has three advisors, Juan Gonzalez and Allison Avina-Wyant who are the choreographers/technicians, and Terry Sakow who covers attendance.
Co-Captains Rayah Todorov (’25) and Yada Taepanicharoen (’25) have the responsibility of keeping their team disciplined and orderly, scheduling weekend practices and communicating between their team and instructors. Todorov explained that it took a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve such a high placement this past fall.
“Every week we just moved one step closer to performing a near-perfect show,” Todorov said. “We of course had our ups and downs, but through encouragement and perseverance, we were able to overcome a surplus of our problems.”
In the spring, the team prepares for their own shows and competes in a circuit known as the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC).
The team had a successful outing at their first competition of the season, which took place at Rowland High School on March 2.
“We scored second at the venue for our division and had a wonderful time competing again,” Todorov said.
After a great start to the season, the color guard team is preparing for yet another successful run.
“Yada and I are really hoping we can continue to increase morale and positivity,” Todorov said.
“We are aiming for gold this semester, and, hopefully, be able to go up a skill division by next year.”