Believe it or not, on October 5, 2024, history was made right here at none other than Claremont High School. From 5:30 to 9pm, the Wolfpack’s Colorguard and Marching Band illustrated their hours of hard work, consistent dedication, and pure talent on the CHS football field among the night’s competition. Despite Claremont High educating students for over a century, this was the first ever home marching band competition. And the results were anything but shocking, as the CHS Band and Colorguard received the highest scores within their divisions.
Ava Zertuche, a senior at CHS, could not be prouder of her team. Being a part of Colorguard since her freshman year, she now holds a captain position on the team.
“We weren’t sure how we would compare to the other bands, but getting a winning score really boosted our confidence, and gave us good motivation for the rest of the season,” Zertuche said.
However, these impressive results did not come without hard work. Not a day goes by where the Colorguard and Band are not at practice, as each team even has a dedicated class period to perfect and grow their talents on top of their multiple practices within the week. To be on either of these teams means having the ability to remember eight minutes worth of music and intricate choreography while ensuring that counts and steps are on time and face and body are always ready to perform—whether it be in front of one’s peers at halftime shows and rallies, or in front of judges and competitors at performances and competitions.
“As captain, I always try to keep everyone focused and motivated to do our very best, but not be too harsh, because I still want guard to be something that they enjoy and have fun doing,” Zertuche said.
However, regardless of the countless hours practiced, or the great amount of competitions won, there still remains an unnecessary lack of appreciation and acknowledgement directed towards these teams.
“I wish people knew how hard it is, and how much time we dedicate to our sport. I know sometimes people see it and think it seems easy. But we spend hours every week training to be perfect not only as individuals but as a team,” Zertuche said.
The teams are all too familiar with a lack of recognition and support, ranging from having to wear uniforms from Shein to not being advertised or acknowledged compared to other teams within CUSD. Within the 2022-2023 school year, the Colorguard was so incredibly underfunded to the point where tops from Shein were forced to be worn as a part of their uniform, despite being a major component of CHS student life. Unlike other sports, the Colorguard and the Band perform at rallies, football games, and parades on top of their own individual team competitions, meaning they are representing Claremont High in every aspect. However, this lack of funding for one of the most prominent parts of CHS does not compare to the lack of acknowledgement of the teams, as there is little representation of the CHS Marching Band within the website, Wolfcast, and the Wolfpacket. When other teams or extracurriculars on campus achieve accomplishments, it is most often advertised. But the accomplishments of the CHS Marching Band being known by more than just the students within it is a rare occurrence that should be consistent.
But, in spite of being underfunded and unacknowledged, the CHS Band and Colorguard continue to win competitions, execute performances, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
“My favorite thing about Colorguard is the community around it,” Zertuche said. “Of course I’m super close with my team and I consider it a second home, but even when I meet people who guard outside of Claremont, it’s like an instant connection.”
Despite how the difficulties the CHS Colorguard and Band are facing may seem, they could never outweigh the astonishing community which forever holds it together.
