Owasso Winter Guard’s major victory!
By Olivia Voth
On Saturday, March 26, the Owasso Winter Guard—part of the Owasso Color Guard program— competed at the Broken Arrow Winter Guard and Percussion of Oklahoma (WGPO) Regional Competition. There are three teams: Owasso 8th Grade, Owasso B and Owasso A, all of which compete in separate divisions. The Owasso Winter Guard program is directed by Adrienne Gaddy and assistant coach Derek Highfield. Additional staff for the Owasso 8th Grade team include Bella Zafar and Kelli Casteel. Owasso A placed first in their division, Owasso B placed third in their division and Owasso 8th Grade was given a rating of “Excellent,” since there are no placings in the Middle School Division.
Group photo of Owasso A Guard taken by Adrienne Gaddy
Owasso’s teams rolled out their floors in the gym ready to impress. The scores are decided on a number of factors—movement, performance with equipment and facial expressions, design and general effect. Owasso’s program includes many forms and levels of equipment, including flag, swing flag, wooden rifles and sabres. The judges are looking to make sure that the members of the team catch their tosses and make each leap and roll look effortless, so the pressure is rigorous.
Group photo of Owasso 8th Grade Guard taken by Adrienne Gaddy
While the Owasso Color Guard program has been around for decades, the group only started participating in winter guard season just four years ago, making them fairly new to the sport. However, Coach Gaddy, affectionately dubbed “Mom,” took on the challenge. Owasso’s Winter Guard teams have already been extremely successful, placing top three at nearly every event.
In years past, Owasso Winter Guard was composed of members of the Owasso Color Guard who chose to participate in this second season. The students then went through an audition process so it could be decided whether they were put on A Guard or B guard.
Although, this year was different, because Adrienne Gaddy made it possible for ALL Owasso students to audition for this year’s winter guard team. People who have never picked up a flag are tossing and competing within a few months! Many novice members—including three foreign exchange students—on the B guard have enjoyed competing so far.
Owasso A’s performance is entitled “Bookended,” designed by Brian Dutton and Austin Nelson; this performance features music from the soundtrack of the show “Only Murders in the Building,” as well as many themed voiceovers on the track. Owasso B’s performance is called “Let Your Guard Down,” from “I Won’t Let You Go,” a song by Switchfoot and Lauren Daigle. The eighth grade show is named “Not the End of the World,” which is the name of the song they use, originally by Katy Perry.
Ambitious as she is, and successfully so, Coach Gaddy also began the 8th Grade Winter Guard team for the first time this year. Many members of the 8th Grade Winter Guard have enjoyed competing so much that they have auditioned for the Owasso Color Guard’s fall marching season as well.
“We’re planning to start a 6th and 7th Grade guard next year,” says Gaddy.
On Friday, April 1, the Owasso Winter Guard had their state sendoff performance, since the state competition at Jenks High School was the following day, Saturday, April 2.
At the state send-off competition, many friends, family and members of the community attended; many of whom brought donations for the local food bank which were collected by volunteers. It was a successful precursor to the competition the following Saturday.
Group photo of Owasso B Guard taken by Adrienne Gaddy
The next day, the Owasso 8th Grade arrived at the high school West Campus gym at 6:30 a.m., along with several other members of the high school teams who volunteered to help with equipment and transportation of the floor mat. After an other-worldly performance, they were given a Superior rating, which is the highest level of performance given to teams in the Middle School Division.
Following this, the Owasso High School Winter Guard teams had a busy Saturday preparing for their performances. The coaches and teammates were extremely encouraging to each other.
In the end, the final State Championship scores placed Owasso B in fourth place in their division, and Owasso A in second place in their class as well. The seniors of the team were sad to end their careers of color guard and winter guard as a whole but grateful for the memories.
After many tears of pride from the coaches and teammates, the season came to a successful yet bittersweet end. Congratulations to the Owasso Winter Guard!