For the past decade, I have dedicated many hours of my life to my favorite sport and hobby: marching band. Since middle school, I have been a part of the color guard and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve met some of my best friends through the sport and I’ve been able to stay healthy and relieve stress by doing it. I also get to feel fabulous once or twice a week when I perform in front of stadiums and parade crowds.
My First Year in Color Guard – 7th grade
Through color guard, I have learned what it means to be a leader and what amazing things hard work and focus can produce. The sport has made me a better person and I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do it for so long. I have done 9 outdoor seasons and 1 indoor season and I only wish I could do more!
It’s been difficult to wrap my head around, and I feel like I’m still not emotionally ready to process it yet, but this year was the last year that I could ever do marching band as a performer. Next year I’ll be student teaching in the fall semester and it conflicts with the practice schedule. I’ve been reflecting on my time as a member of the various different teams I’ve been on and bands I’ve been a part of since middle school and I’m so sad to go. In a way, it feels like I’m moving someplace far away from my family. At our end-of-the-year-banquet, it was so surreal to be recognized as a “senior” member. All I could think was, wow, I guess I’m really not coming back! This sport helped me grow out of my shell and I credit it for giving me the confidence that I have in myself today. It’s an integral part of my identity as a person. Besides that, what am I going to use as a fun fact when I can’t say that I’m in the marching band anymore?
My Freshman Year and Senior Year of High School Color Guard
Jokes aside, the hardest part – and it’s particularly hard in college – is leaving your friends. In high school, many of my friends and I still had classes and lunch together, so it was easier to still see them without marching band as a scaffold. But in college, when many of my friends are different majors from me, band practice is the only time I am able to see them. I’m wondering what the future will look like for my friendships without band practice as our regularly scheduled time to hang out?
My Final 2 Years in College
Though all of this is definitely sad, I know that this is all just a door opening for my next step in the sport. I aim to choreograph and coach for my alma mater! I have a job lined up already and I am excited to spend my weekends encouraging other people to hone their skills and fall in love with the sport the same way that I did.
So even though I will never be able to perform again, I am not entirely saying goodbye to my sport. I’m taking on a new perspective and I’m eager to see where this journey takes me.
To all of my coaches, band directors, and teammates: thank you for making this past decade in my life so memorable! I can’t wait to see what you’ll do in the coming years. And don’t worry. I’ll come back to cheer you all on with your new shows.
HCXO, Sam
All images courtesy of Samantha Kress