Victor has its own winter guard program that has existed for over 25 years. The Victor Varsity Winter Guard for their 2024-25 season is composed of 16 members ranging from grades 7-12. Winter guard originated from the marching band activity where a color guard unit would perform with the band during the summer. Which eventually evolved into its own indoor performing art with standardized competition rules established by the Winter Guard International. WGI was founded on May 15,1977 in San Francisco by a group of individuals seeking to create a national governing body for that activity, aiming to provide consistent judging and a unified championship event across the United States. This year we are glad to be celebrating our 3 beloved seniors Clarissa Button, Mya LaBarge, and Liv Peone. Clarissa, Mya, and Liv have all been on the team for 5 years and are all on the rifle and saber line. 

Seniors look back!

In a recent interview with The Victor Voice they were questioned about their experiences on the team. There are so many cool tricks that you can do in colorguard so we wanted to know what Clarissa’s and Mya’s favorite tricks are and why. Clarissa expressed that, “My favorite trick is a roll toss on any piece of equipment or a double turn on saber because they are the only tricks that I find appealing to do in front of a crowd and that shows off the technique that we have.” 

Mya said that it is, “A two turn because it is a very fast passed trick and you have a split second to catch it so it is a very impressive skill to have. The trick takes persuasion speed and quick reflexes.” 

Clarissa and Liv were asked what Colorguard meant to them and here’s what they said. Clarissa described that, “Colorguard means the world to me. The color guard is by far my second family. Ever since I joined this program I have felt like I have a second family. I enjoy this because I get to see everyone that I care about on the team with me. Say I were to have a bad day, I would get to go to practice and see the people that I care about and I forget all about the things that had happened for the time being while at practice.”

Liv expressed that the team is like a, “Community, growing up. I never thought I’d find a thing to do like other kids had, I jumped between sports a lot but when I went to my first practice for guard I knew this was my thing. It’s opening up a lot of connections I wouldn’t have made otherwise, it’s a huge community of nice people.”

Color Guard consists of dancing and spinning different pieces of equipment and we wanted to know a little more about what Clarissa’s and Mya’s favorite piece of equipment is and why. Clarissa expressed that, “My favorite piece of equipment would probably be saber because there are so many things that you can do when spinning with it.” 

Mya expressed that her favorite piece of equipment is, “Rifle because it’s less scary than saber and I love to hear the snap of my rifle when I catch good.” 

You experience a lot of new and fun things and you make a lot of new memories and we wanted to know what their favorite memories of colorguard are. Clarissa expressed that, “My favorite memory is probably any time that we go to worlds because it’s an amazing experience and you get to meet new people and see others that enjoy what you enjoy.” 

Mya explained that, “My favorite memory is any regional or out of state competition when the whole weekend is filled with my teammates and that sport that I love most.” 

Liv said that her favorite memory of colorguard is, “Last year when we went to Bethlehem and made finals because it was the first time I had done that.”

Underclassmen look up!

We interview Elena, Iselle, and Aubrey about their favorite memories of the seniors and this is what they had to say.

Clarissa

“Talking [together] when learning drill.” (Elena Roehrl) 

“Spinning alongside her this past outdoor season and learning from her both on rifle and saber. Spinning together also made us closer which I’m so happy about”. (Iselle Rucci)  

“My first year of cadet Clarissa and I were partners for the flag and rifle duet. That was the moment I felt we really bonded. Then on I looked up to her as a spinner.” (Aubrey Lesure)

Mya

“Mya forgetting her suitcase on our way to Bethlehem.” (Elena Roehrl) 

“Our duet that we had in El Dorado, it was super fun and we worked really hard to make it look good and I loved that it made us closer and better friends in the long run.” (Iselle Rucci) 

“During this band season, the saber drill was often in lines. We kept repping this one set over and over again. After each rep, Mya would pass pretzels, from her fanny pack, down the line to each of us secretly so the coaches wouldn’t see.” (Aubrey Lesure)

Liv

“Liv helping me get my tosses.” (Elena Roehrl)

“Making TikToks with Liv on all of our trips at each location we went to because it’s something that has become a tradition for us to do and it’s really cute to look back on and watch them.” (Iselle Rucci) 

“Liv and I roomed together during the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania trip. One of the nights, we created a disgusting food concoction and let it simmer overnight. The next morning we ding dong ditched Iselle’s room with the concoction. A lot happened in that event and it will forever be hilarious.” (Aubrey Lesure)

All three of these seniors have left a lasting impact on everyone including me. They have all helped me and taught me not only to be a better spinner but to be a better person in and out of performance. I don’t know if I would be where I am today without everything the three of them have taught me. I feel it’s almost as if they are not just my teammates but they are like my older sisters. I am so grateful for all they have done for me and they will forever be in my heart and be extremely important to me.