Blood dripping from my purple, swollen lip as the unrelenting wood smacks it again. This is the definition of dedication. As I force my arms to continue spinning the rifle, I realize I'm hooked, like a heroin addict, I can't get enough. The world of color guard consumed my whole existence for four years. The teams countless hours of practice led us to unnerving performances, constant challenges to be better on the rifle, saber and flag and more often than not different points of view. My selfless habits, expertise on the equipment, and good communication skills with my fellow members incorporated me as a successful and vital member of the Western Hills HS Color guard.
My selfless habits yielded many opportunities for advancement in my successful involvement in the group. For three of the four years that I was a member of the group, I was in a leadership position. It seemed as if I lived at the band hall for the four years I was a member of the color guard. By putting in after hours and always showing my willingness to help others for the better good of the group, I convinced my coach to choose me as the captain. During my first year of leadership my team won championships. This amazing accomplishment set the stage to allow me to have subsequent leadership positions. For instance, during my junior year, I was chosen once again as captain over three different seniors. My acceptance of the leadership position showed the girls that I was there to serve them. Another factor in their decision was my improvement on my equipment. I perfected my technique so much that during the winter season of my senior year I was chosen to perform a solo. The solo further concentrated my success in the group by showing my team that I was capable and can be trusted with such a nerve racking task. As a captain, I held what we called sectionals. This is when it is just the captain and the team and questions can be asked to improve their mastering of the work.