Sierra Vista’s Color Guard proudly marches and waves the national flag at every game and assembly of the year, however they also participate in a variety of events outside of schools.
Color Guard, a leadership program that allows cadets to demonstrate advanced facing and marching movements from regular JROTC classes. However, the Color Guard does not only participate in school events. Cadets also get the opportunity to display the nation’s colors at competitions, assemblies, and games for the school.
Practices occur during sixth period and at scheduled practices after school. During practice, the Color Guard works to perfect certain movements such as colors reverse, left wheel and right wheel march, present colors, order colors, sling arm, mark time march and much more.
After many days of practice, Color Guard competes in competitions against other schools in the CCSD school district. In competition, there are two to four teams of four, consisting of two rifle bearers, a national flag bearer, and state flag bearer. The winner is determined by who performs the sharpest movements when given a sequence of commands. When a team wins, they are awarded with trophies. This year, Sierra Vista’s color guard has won a total of 5 trophies.
For many cadets, the Color Guard is enjoyable to everyone part of the program. Jean Kim (12), a Cadet Second Lieutenant and one of the main leaders of color guard explains, “The community is surprisingly friendly compared to what I had initially thought it would be, and I feel like everyone there is reliable and kind.”
Color Guard is also a place that can teach valuable lessons. Logan Kidwell (10), a Cadet Sergeant and the national and state flag bearer, explains that color guard is important because cadets are able to, “show that we care for our country and it instills discipline.”
The JROTC instructors also set up events to make sure the cadets are learning valuable things every day. On February 8, 2024, the Joint Armed Service Color Guard visited Sierra Vista High School to answer questions from the JROTC cadets of Sierra Vista, Del Sol, and Clark high schools and showcase and practice the presentation of the colors that they performed during the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII.
The Joint Armed Service Color Guard is a color guard that consists of 12 service members from every branch of the military. They participate in ceremonies such as memorials and waving the colors in the air during the national anthem. Jacqueline Grote (11), a Cadet Captain revealed, “I hope the cadets learned the pride in representing our country, especially from the different backgrounds and different places across the country coming together to complete one mission.”
After the visit from the Joint Armed Service Color Guard, the Sierra Vista Color Guard continues their season strong as they prepare for their next competition.
