March 11, 2024
By: Bill Conger
The DeKalb County High School Winter Guard improved its score at Columbia Central High School this weekend over the previous contests. The team placed 8th out of the 13 teams in their class.
“Each of them continues to grow their character presence and skill level,” says Winter Color Guard Instructor Shannon Johns. “We had a great run and showed improvement since our last show. The judges have very good feedback on the equipment and movement skills of the team.”
The 8-member guard unit is putting on “A Killer Show,” that features some of the horror movies greatest villains.
Students in the Winter Guard are Ashton McClain – Captain (sabre, rifle, flag), Crissy White (sabre, rifle, flag), Elizabeth Cardin (sabre, rifle, flag), Bairon Hernandez-Avalos (sabre, rifle, flag), Jamey Bradshaw (sabre and flag), Kara Inglis (rifle and flag), Jay Bare (rifle and flag), Hadley Vergeson (flag)
“We still have work to do to improve precision and general effect, but overall we have a crowd pleasing show,” Johns says. “Most of the judge’s feedback focused on character development and keeping up the spooky storyline. Those are the things we will focus on heading into the Siegel contest on Saturday [March 16) and then later at Championships”
“If you love watching your students do what they do best, and that is entertain, then, you have to come out and see our Winter Guard perform,” DCHS Band Director Don Whitt encourages. “Our students are multi-talented and lead by Shannon Johns, our phenomenal director. What I love about our kids is that they are so gifted and passionate about what they do. One of our very own, Crissy White, has come up with a lot of the dance choreography in this.”
“This is one exciting and entertaining show,” Whitt says. “When we were leaving the school Saturday afternoon, several students from the other schools told me how much they were entertained by it. I had people that sat around me from other schools say how current our shows are. Ninety-percent of our shows from Winter Guard to Marching Band to Concert Band music has our students input in it. Shannon and I want them to show ownership through their work. When students buy into their music and the work they do, they become better performers plus they work harder and longer. This is one of the most gifted and talented groups we have. I am so proud to be their band director. Thanks to all of our Winter Guard members for showing off your skills, smiles, and talents!”
The championships will be held April 5 at Western Kentucky University’s Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY.