On April 10-12 hundreds of winterguards from across the world gathered in Dayton, Ohio to compete in the Winter Guard International World Championships. Among the many North Carolina units that traveled to Dayton for this prestigious event this year were Cary’s own Cary High School and Green Hope High School winter guards.

Both guards did exceptionally well and ended their competitive seasons with a bang.

As rewarding as traveling to World Championships may be, it is merely the payoff to a five-month season of hard work, sweat and tears.

Winter Guard, often referred to as “the sport of the arts,” is a competitive activity that starts following the end of the fall Marching Band season.

Winter Guard combines dance, gymnastics and flag, rifle and saber-tossing to produce a five- to six-minute routine that shows off each group’s unique level of talent. Winterguard is indoors, and the routines are performed to recorded music.

High School winter guard programs usually hold their practices after school. Some groups even have a class during the school day dedicated to practicing their routine and preparing for competitions. Most units use the first couple of weeks for conditioning and learning the routine that they will perform throughout the season.

Then, in late January, the competitive portion of the season begins. Guards travel to different high schools around their areas and compete with other guards of the same caliber. The scores and placements received at these competitions act mostly as constructive criticism and motivation to fix and perfect their routines for the impending World Championships. Participants then push through bruises and blisters to do as well as they can at this breathtaking event.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Green Hope participant Katelyn Gremer, “but performing in Dayton at World Championships is such an amazing experience.”

For all of the participants, World Championships is the last performance of the season, but for the seniors, it is the last performance of their high school colorguard careers.

“It’s a really emotional performance because you know that it’s your last,” said Green Hope senior Joanie Fegan. “You don’t want it to end, but at the same time, you’re really proud of how far you’ve come.”