SENATOBIA – The Northwest Mississippi Community College Color Guard has kicked off preparations for their 2013 marching season.
This year, the Ranger color guard boasts a total of fifteen young ladies, six of them being Tate County's own: Haleigh Ferguson, Shelby Smith, Ashlee Walker and Samantha Talbert, all graduates of Independence High School, and Ashley Simon and Anastajia Markic, both graduates of Senatobia High School.
The color guard participates in two solid weeks of camp. Monday through Friday, the girls work from eight o'clock in the morning until eight o'clock in the evening. Throughout this time, the color guard learns the entire marching performance.
The first week they focus mainly on learning the routines, while during the second week they learn all of their "sets," or movements, on the field. During camp, the girls are housed in the campus dorms where they are able to get some rest and bond with one another.
The first session of camp is now completed, and several of the girls reflect on the trials of the past week.
"We learned everything!" said Ferguson, who has been doing color guard for seven years, "We learned the fight song that we have to perform at every game, and we learned the entire half-time show. All in all, we learned five whole routines in four days."
Smith, who is participating in her first year of color guard, adds to Ferguson's comments, "This is hard, but it's really fun. All of the girls are so nice and helpful. The routines are very technical, and I'm just glad that I'm learning how to toss!"
Color guard in college moves much more quickly than color guard in high school. The material must be taught and received at a faster pace, and there is little room for error. Though the pressure is on, the girls maintain positive attitudes.
"This is really different from high school guard," Markic said, "Learning the entire show in four days is definitely different from what I am used to. I've also had to adjust to working with people I've never worked with before. They are awesome! I love it!"
Simon, who is also in her first year of color guard, also comments on her first week of camp, "This week has been tough. The routines are really good, and everyone is so nice. I'm thankful that they are here helping me. I'm looking forward to the first football game!"
The girls are coached by Susan Van Velsor. She, too, has positive comments after the long first week of training.
"I have been honored to coach such a hard working group of young ladies. Hard work and determination along with a love for what we do are the things that will get us through the twelve hour days."
The Ranger Color Guard still has another sixty hour week of training to complete. Throughout it all, they remain encouraged and determined.
