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The color guard’s performance

When I was with the color guard preparing for a ceremony ball to honor the achievements of the cadets, all I remember was Mr. Larson calling out when we made marching errors, “Stop! Come back and do it over!” Although we were flustered having to repeat the same drill, we knew this practice would make us better for the ball that night.

As the time drew closer, cadets filed into the ballroom displaying their suits and dresses to show off who had the best suit or the best dress. The teachers and instructors filed in right after them, telling the cadets, “You all can’t eat until the ceremony starts.” Some were seated and asking “When does the ceremony start? We’re starving!”

When the ceremony ball started, the complaints about eating stopped. As the commander of the color guard, I was tense. I kept telling myself, “I got this. I got this.”

When we were lined up for the performance, all eyes were on us. When we completed the act, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and there wasn’t a sound to be heard. As we left, we began to hear the clapping and people saying what a good job we did. It was a stressful night, but unforgettable.

Matt Day, Spring Lake, South River EMC

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