For people looking to participate in competitive routine testing both endurance and grace, Millenial Winter Guard is one of the greatest opportunities to take up at Wayne Hills. Despite its aspects of dance and performance, the origins of the activity derive from military ceremonies involving flags. Now, winter guard can be defined as an indoor competitive activity involving staging, choreography, and the use of equipment such as flags, wooden prop rifles, and prop sabres. It often utilizes multiple skills, ranging from a person’s ability to gracefully perform and move, to utilizing strength and agility.

When quarantine first began in March of 2020, countless events across the globe were canceled and pushed out, which included the season for Wayne Hills’ Millenial Winter Guard. By 2021, though, they were able to participate in virtual competitions by recording their performance and sharing it with judges across New Jersey ranking the performances. Now, Hills is back in action traveling to their in-person competitions across the state, ranking high in their divisions, and putting on a spectacular show at each location.

The guard is lead by three juniors: Ryan Newman and Gianna Passaro as Lieutenants, and Jessica Smith as Captain. These three leaders work with the advisors, Mr. and Mrs. Darnsteadt, to help choreograph, teach others how to use equipment, and to lead in stretches. They earned their positions through auditions, after preparing one-minute routines demonstrating their skills. The three of them shared plenty about their show, as well as the behind-the-scenes that go into building their stunning performance.

Before the season begins, students interested in participating had the chance to attend three “hep days” that introduce students to the basic routines of practice and performance. While not all people that come to these meets join Winter Guard, it still brings in plenty of participants and is quite enjoyable for most attendees. Often trying to diverge from the traditional winter guard performances based on love and heartbreak, Hills’ performance is called “Everest” and depicts the journey of scaling the great mountain. Their costumes include long sleeve shirts with leggings and an orange vest to properly represent the setting. Their hair is put in two braids with a headband and their makeup includes products such as white mascara to add to the setting. They use foot undies and guard gloves, which have padding that protects their bare feet and hands. They perform in bare feet on a floor mat, so it’s important they have proper articles that prevent injury.

Their routine includes the use of flags, rifles, and sabres, the members of the winter guard being divided into two sections; the flag section primarily uses flags throughout the routine while the weapons section uses all three props. Ryan and Jessica enjoy using sabres for their lightweight and grace, as well as for how unique the item is. Gianna finds the rifle to also be a great prop for “how powerful each move feels as well as [for] strong catches.” The flags also are admired for the beauty they add to each number, often catching the eyes of the audience. This makes them perfect pieces of equipment for performance finales.

Plenty of work goes into each season of competition. The winter guard practices from 6:00 to 9:00 at night every Monday and Thursday, and is often busy all day on Saturday for competitions. These competition days often include practice at Hills before getting into costume and boarding the bus to their performance destination. This is a weekly schedule that only changes accordingly to breaks given during the school year. Their practices often involve “stretching and basic warm-ups like jazz runs or an arm workout” as Gianna explains. Then they “move into warming up equipment work till we are ready to learn new parts of the show and review old parts.” They also begin to work on what Jessica knows as “drill” which is broken up into “charts.” These charts include specific positions for each participant for a certain number of counts. Putting together all of the charts forms the entire routine with every position. Running through each chart without the choreography itself is known as running drill. It is one of the most crucial aspects of forming the routine.

Joining winter guard has benefitted several participants on the team, such as Ryan. “Something I gained is confidence and I’ve also been able to help and meet new people” she explains. Gianna also adds that she “ learned how to be a leader as well as support others.”

The overall experience when being a part of winter guard has been shown to connect each member in great ways. “Winter Guard has been a nice place to meet new people as well as teach myself flexibility, movement and much more” Jessica says. “I love how everyone presents their aspects to the show, whether it’s dance, equipment or bodywork. Without any one of the team members, we wouldn’t have a full show.” Ryan also added that “the best thing is hearing someone be proud of themselves as they deserve to be. Everyone in our show truly is amazing.”

The Millenial Winter Guard has now already come in fourth place multiple times out of seven teams in the division. As their show continues to grow and become completed, the winter guard has become more skillful and graceful. With their season continuing into the end of April, Hills wishes them the best of luck and is excited to see them continue to thrive in competition.