NHS Color Guard

In Newtown, the color guard team interprets music through dance with unique flags and weaponry. The color guard is meant to show respect for distinguished flags, like the American flag, during events such as parades, sports games, and military ceremonies. They are meant to honor the country or organization that the flag represents. The guard carries and presents the flags in a respectful way, march together in step, and carefully put the flags away after each event has concluded.

In high school, the color guard is also used to add colorful elements and visuals to the marching band. It is used as a show of emotion, and to tell a story, while also honoring the organization that they represent. 

“I think it’s trying to explain the world in a way that’s easier to understand,” NMS Color Guard team member Connor Jameson said.

This year, the Newtown color guard consists of fifteen people. The team performs alongside the marching band, which has forty-five members. They are coached by Rebecca Tobin

With a large group like this, it is important for all the members to communicate with each other. 

“They are very close friends so I talk to them a lot outside of practice. We also have a lot of classes together so I see them a lot,” NHS senior Guard member Shen Sonak said, referring to her teammates.

Each year, the Color Guard decides on a theme and performs a musical interpretation of it. The theme this year has been chosen to be Duality, which represents the two sides of a story and the way we choose to view the world, where everything is separated into two groups such as right and wrong or good and evil.

  “Duality is really meaningful because it reminds us that life is full of opposites like joy and sadness, success and struggle and both are important. You can’t really appreciate one without the other,” Sonak said. 

Marching band member Ben Grummons agrees that the theme is meaningful. He said “it makes a lot of sense for how our world works.” 

Previous color guard themes include “Circles” and “Vampires.” Freshman member Devyn Elliott said he likes this year’s theme better than last year’s. “It includes more marching and fun,” Elliott says.

The dedicated color guard team began practicing near the end of summer when they had band camp, which took place over two weeks. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the team continues to come together to practice and add even more interesting elements to their show. The team has been practicing for the past four weeks.

"I’m surprised we’ve gotten so much done,” NMS team member Ali Tuz said.

Every week, the Newtown team competes against teams from all across the state in towns like Trumbull and Norwalk. The home show will take place on  October 4th, and will be held on the football field. The show’s fundraiser supports the band and guard in purchasing costumes and new flags, as well as funding scholarships.

In addition to the competitions, the color guard performs during half time at home football games. They rotate performances with the dance team and cheerleading team to show pride in being a Newtown Nighthawk.