Body work, flag work, and rifle work are what goes into six and a half hours of practice every week for Bearden winter guard team members.

For senior Taylor Jenkins, a 4-year color guard team member and new winter guard member, learning the work is very enjoyable.

“Not only do I enjoy performing, but learning the work is normally the thing I look forward to each week,” Jenkins said.

Winter guard team members have a lot invested in the team.

So far this year, there have only been practices for winter guard. It is a competition sport, meaning that this year they will compete in five different competitions. Unlike color guard, they do not perform on the field with the band during school games.

Competitions begin in January, and all five will occur between January and March.

“We basically do the same things we do in marching band but it’s just color guard, so we spin rifles, sabres, and flags,” Jenkins said. “We also do a lot more dance stuff than we normally would in marching band.”

Color guard and winter guard coach Kristin Johnson believes that the girls on the team have great potential this season.

“Coaching color guard means the world to me,” Johnson said. “It’s an activity that is very important to me, and I enjoyed performing very much when I was younger.

“It’s exciting to pass on my knowledge and watch the girls learn and grow.”

That hard work, however, is rewarded with new experiences.

“What’s enjoyable is the feeling you get from performing,” Jenkins said. “There is no better feeling than being able to go out in front of a large group of people who know and respect what you do.

“It’s that one time you can show off.”

Winter guard’s necessity for close-knit team work results in wonderful friendships.

“I have built amazing bonds with my teammates,” senior Jessica Traugot said. “They are all awesome.”