SHS Journalism: "Elementary students get a taste of winter guard"

Submitted by Monika Spaulding, SHS Journalism Teacher

Written by SHS Junior Peyton Maynard

Students who are excited about marching, spinning flags and learning new skills now can do it thanks to a mini color guard program started by Salem High School color guard coach Stephanie Bower. 

What began with a few students, quickly grew into a group where younger kids can learn the basics, like holding the flag, marching and doing spins. 

“I take things a little slower and keep to more of the beginner skills until they have a strong mastery of them,” said Bower. “The equipment itself is altered to fit the kids better as well. Our cadet guard uses a 5 foot length flag, whereas the high school uses a 6 foot flag.”

High school guard members are involved with practice, giving one-on-one help, and practices are broken into short, fun parts. 

“As with every extra activity-time, there are so many things pulling us in every direction, both as teachers and students,” said Bower. “Luckily it worked out great that my high school members could share their practice time and were able to assist with the younger students to give everyone one-on-one instruction with each skill after learning them as a whole group.”

Bower also celebrates big and small achievements to keep everyone confident, explaining that she uses lots of encouragement and looks for anything they are doing well. 

“Color guard is harder than it looks,” she said. “It’s easy to get down on yourself, so celebrating even the smallest of achievements is so important!”

After only a couple of practices, the kids performed a routine for the Christmas parade, and some even tried flag tosses! Bower said the group from this winter was interested in having another camp later in the spring so that is in the works. 

“I’d like to expand the cadet guard in the future to include sixth grade at some point as well,” she said. “If there continues to be high interest, it could potentially become a winter performing group at some point in the future.” 

Bower said she has enjoyed hearing from the parents and even other teachers about how much their kids have enjoyed learning with her. 

“I have a lot of great memories and so much love for color guard,” said Bower. “I’m so happy to share it with this generation of kids!”