OHS color guard works through winter season

When 16-year-old Odessa High student Vanessa Vega joined color guard this year to be with her friends, she didn’t expect to be the youngest person on the saber, considered a challenging piece of color guard equipment.

“It’s difficult, but it’s something that I’m good at,” Vega said.

While the team was practicing the saber, coach Hector Guerrero said he noticed how adept Vega was with it, prompting him to have her use it during their shows.

Vega’s position is one of many firsts for the team this year.

After competing in Dallas on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, the winter color guard, which continues on after marching band season, received two first place designations for the first time, Guerrero said.

“We were like, ‘did they say our name? Is that OHS?’ We were just in shock,” team captain, 18-year-old Alex Lozano said.

This was the first year the team started using the saber, a challenging sword-like piece of equipment that can earn the team additional points with judges, Guerrero said.  

 “We use the flags and sabers to reflect the music,” Lozano said.

Once marching band season is over, some color guards keep going and compete through the winter season, Guerrero said.

Alongside members of the marching band, the color guard can be found doing elaborate routines to music with brightly colored flags, plastic rifles and, now, sabers.

Kicking off in December the season culminates in March and for a while the team will have about one competition a week, Lozano said.

In addition to being the only team in Odessa using the saber, they are also the only team in the Permian Basin competing this year since schools in Odessa and Midland did not continue their winter guard this season, Guerrero said.

Because of that, they’re the only competing team making the trek out to Dallas and are accepting donations to offset travel costs, Guerrero said.

Judges examine use of the equipment, dance and the theme of the show, Lozano said.

“It takes a lot of practice,” Lozano said.

 

@OAhealth