Mohonasen Color Guard in a category of its own

The Mohonasen Color Guard is entering into its 12th season. But, if you ask most students or parents what the color guard actually is, they’d most likely respond with, “I’m not sure.”

“Color guard is a perfect blend of theatrics and sports,” says Lori Marshall, color guard director and developmental skills teacher at Draper.

The Mohonasen Color Guard is a school club open to all students in grades 8-12. In their performances, members tell a story through dance as they spin flags and throw and catch rifles. Performances are full of movement and music wrapped into one. The outdoor guard usually performs alongside the marching band in a parade or on a school field, and in the winter the indoor guard performs to prerecorded music in a gymnasium or indoor arena.

At Mohonasen, the color guard is essentially self-funded. The Music Parents, Band Boosters, parents and staff all provide financial support and are loyal fans. Students in the guard even create their own props and design their own costumes.

“We’re like a well-oiled machine,” said Marshall. “But, we can’t do it without everyone.”

In general, the outdoor guard has about 20-30 girls who participate. The winter guard is a more select group; this year there are 18 team members.

A lot of Mohonasen Color Guard members go off to college to participate in their college guard programs, or even start a college program. Some even come back to help coach at Mohonasen, which is how the Draper Middle School Color Guard feeder program was started three years ago.

Each summer the outdoor guard starts practicing and also participates in an intense two-week band camp. Winter guard typically conducts three-hour practices on Wednesday nights and then practices for five hours each Saturday before competitions. They also practice on Sunday afternoons following competitions.

“You really have to be passionate about color guard because of the time involved,” said Marshall. “As the director I have become so connected with these kids. You’re their friend, confidant, and family member.”

Color guard practices are just as rigorous as any other high school sport or theater practice. Students work on strength and conditioning, run through technical dance training, learn how to use equipment properly and safely, and then pull all of their skills together for a show. 

The Mohonasen Color Guard is part of the Mid-York Color Guard Circuit. 

At Mid-York competitions, teams are judged in five different categories: ensemble (how well the team works together), general effect (GE) I and GE II (how well the program is tied together visually), equipment (how well the team uses proper technique and safety precautions), and movement (how well the team marches and dances).

The Mohonasen Indoor Winter Guard won the Mid-York Class A Championship in 1997 and in 2003. In 2002, Mohonasen placed second, and won third place honors in 2005. The 1998 and 2002 teams also won the George O. Cowburn Award, which is awarded to the team that displays the true spirit of color guard.

In addition, each year the New York Mid-York Color Guard Conference awards a scholarship to a special high school senior color guard member. Lori Marshall received the scholarship in 1998, Valerie del Prado was awarded it in 2002, and Alan Schults won it in 2007.

While Mohonasen’s Color Guard has had a very successful 12-year stretch, Marshall makes a point to say, “We’re not out there just to win, it’s about the growing too.”

The Mohonasen Color Guard would like to extend a special thanks to all of the Mohonasen staff, hardworking parents, and devoted fans for their continued support and dedication to the program.

The Mid-York Championships will be held on April 5 and 6 at Shenendehowa. See the Mohonasen Color Guard perform this Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m. at the Mid-York Championships!