BY CAITLIN LAFLOWER
The OBHS Winterguard had an incredible season, earning a promotion from Scholastic Regional AA to Scholastic Regional A, placing second in their first two competitions, and placing first in their final competition.
The group’s 2024 show, titled “Awake” and set to the song “Cradles” by Sub Urban, depicts statues coming to life and exploring their environment before returning to their original state. “We start off creaky with limited motion, but as the song progresses, we’re able to move more,” said Charlotte Hage. “Toward the end, it’s like we’re getting sucked back into our statue forms, and we go back to the limited motion before returning to being motionless statues.”
On February 24, the guard participated in the first competition of the season in Woodbridge, where they placed second. “I’m so proud that we made the top three,” shared Lyla Gonzalez. “We all worked so hard in the season, and, although it wasn’t first, it gave us a lot of adrenaline to work harder and push ourselves.”
News broke about the Winterguard’s promotion to Scholastic Regional A Class on February 28 on the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network Instagram account. The promotion surprised the group and resulted directly from their dedication to the activity. “At first, I didn’t think it was real, and I stared at my phone screen in shock because it was so unexpected,” expressed Kendra Cruz-Riano. “Then, I got super excited since we have worked so hard this season.”
To earn promotions, groups must prove their excellence in a variety of categories, including flag and weapon work, visual, show design, and general affect. “When a group scores really high in a competition, the show goes under review where a bunch of judges rewatch the show and decide if a group is able to achieve at a higher level,” stated junior captain Hailey Hui.
Guard members had to adjust to performing in a new division with new expectations set for them. “There are higher standards for Regional A as well as tougher guards that we are going up against,” said Gabriella Vallo.
The program’s advancement represents the hard work and dedication every member has put into improving the group. “When I joined in 8th grade, it was a club with no competitions to help rebuild and gain more members,” recalled senior captain Donnamarie Sternad. “It means a lot that it has grown to be able to compete and now move up a class.”
Every member has a favorite part of the show. “I love the toss where we’re standing on the boxes,” said Hage. “It’s the only time that the flags get to be on the box, and it’s so cool.”
On March 16, the Winterguard competed at the A level in Matawan and placed second with a score of 79.58. “It was so nerve racking [to perform] because this was our first time in this division, but it gave us more confidence to perform our best,” shared Cruz-Riano.
Now that judges score their performance according to higher standards, avoiding stress while performing has become a priority. Having a calm attitude on the floor reduces the chance of dropping equipment and forgetting movements. “I count and run through the work in my head and focus on a person in the audience that I feel comfortable with, such as my coaches,” shared Hui.
On April 8, the guard placed first in their last competition of the season with a score of 83.08 at Allentown High School. “The end of the season is bittersweet because even though I’m sad that it’s over, I’m excited to now be able to watch the next shows and see the program grow more,” said Sternad.
The Winterguard had a remarkable season which marked many milestones for the program. Except for Donnamarie Sternad and Kendra Cruz-Riano who graduate this year, many of the members expect to continue performing alongside the marching band in the fall. For additional information about the program, check out their Instagram.
Posted on 4/18/24
Photos by Caitlin LaFlower
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