![Tossing the flag to the rhythm | From left to right, co-captain seniors Jasmine Ting, Giselle Lee and Olivia Tecson adjust to their roles before band camp. “The people [in Color Guard] made me love it. I learned to immerse myself in the sport and got better [in the process],” Lee said.](https://whshoofprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-05-at-6.15.19-PM.png)
Through many unique and ingenious bonding activities, such as going granny bowling–where Color Guard has the opportunity to dress up as grandmas and go bowling–and giving out cupcakes at every competition, the team has their way of bonding. They rely on each other through these gatherings because it’s used to maintain tempo and be in sync with trust.
Other traditions also help the team become closer, like spraying perfume on each other, where the spray would be used as a good luck charm, or eating tic-tacs. These bonding activities foster communication and give them confidence before their performances, so they can meet their goals during competitions.
“We feel comfortable around each other [and] you start to feel like a family,” junior Megha Bembi said. “It’s like a team where you’re comfortable to be around, and it doesn’t have to be just strictly Color Guard.”
Team spirit in Color Guard is fostered through open communication and unity among a group that motivates them to work together toward their goal, which is improving and getting better scores at each competition from swinging a flag to throwing guns in the air. According to co-captain senior Giselle Lee, they go out to eat after almost every practice at either In-n-out or Applebee’s where they do bondings.
“I feel like myself because I know that with them, I feel like I am in a safe space,” Lee said. “I won’t get judged, and it’s really fun whenever I am with them because they’re naturally funny people and we goof off.”
Members in Color Guard can rely on each other with the connections and bonds that they have created by doing makeup and talking to help each other. Throughout the Color Guard season, members start to get really close because they are often communicating with each other. Whether that be performing their routine or practicing the timing of spinning a gun, the team will spend the rest of their experience in Color Guard adapting to these meaningful connections.
“I feel our Color Guard is more supportive of each other when it comes to learning how to do new choreography,” freshman Queenie Wang said. “If you’re a beginner and you’re trying to learn how to fling a flag or something, they’re really supportive about it and are willing to help.” Ω
