The Allen County-Scottsville High School’s Axis Winter Guard and the Allen County-Scottsville Axis Cadet Guard are state and overall champions of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit. Both groups from Allen County captured the titles Saturday at Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna Tennessee.
“We are elated,” explained AC-S winter guard director Gina Huff. “It’s great all the way around. We really didn’t know what to expect this year but the kids jumped in and have been amazing this year.”
Axis scored a 75.35 to take first place in the high school division in a field of 20 schools representing four states (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee). Not only was AC-S first overall but first among the five Kentucky high school participating. Axis cadet guard scored 71.71 to place first among the eight junior guard (middle school) units taking part.
The accomplishments by both divisions is impressive given the fact that this season was the first time in seven years that the high school has participated in winter guard circuit events. This year was also the first time the winter guard program has fielded a cadet guard unit.
Winter guard is an extension of the band’s color guard program—incorporating elements of music and dance woven together for a colorful three-minute performance.
“Winter guard is a performance that includes dancing, flags, rifles, and sables that is performed to music in a gymnasium,” Huff explained. “If someone has seen a marching band show and the color guard unit, winter guard is similar for the color guard but we perform to recorded music. We try to do a theoretical production in about a three-minute time span in a competitive setting.”
Axis winter guard is for high school students in ninth through 12th grade. Their program this year was entitled “The Poison Apple” and is based on the Snow White story from the wicked queen’s point-of-view.
“This is a prequel to Snow White that exploded why the Wicked Queen became so wicked that she wonted to present Snow White with the poisoned apple in the first place,” Huff said.
The guard includes co-captains Skylan Lemert and Kaylynn Lyles as well as members Kayla Franklin, Tayte Hawkins, Cory Hewett, Madison Marsh, Rachel Marsh, Courtney Meadows, Rowan Michaels, Haleigh Shipley, Gabby Veron, Katie Whelchel, and Hannah White.
The Axis cadet guard is designed for students in sixth through eighth grades. Their program was entitled “Candy!” with the music from the song “I Want Candy.” The cadet’s captain is Alex Ward and the members include Shayla Anderson, Spencer Boatwright, Katie Davis, Robin Gagen, Destiny Haycraft, Taylor Beth Huff, Natalie Meredith, Shelby Pearson, Bailey Perdue, Emma Robison, Heather Sloan, and Abby Stamps.
“Our cadet guard was dressed in vibrant bright neon colors and did a really super-sassy performance with lots of smiles and colors,” Huff noted. “It just explored how fun it is to be at a candy shop.”
Huff notes that winter guard requires hours of work and individual commitment to perfect skills and technique.
“We practiced twice a week on a regular basics after school and we have a whole of full-day Saturday practices,” Huff explained. “This helped our kids learn the chorography and get the routines really cleaned up where everything looked solid. Our kids were dedicated and really wonted to be in the program. They understood how much work needed to be done.”
Not only did the countless hours of practice lead to spectacular performances, the work enhanced teamwork among the squad’s members.
“Winter guard is movement and dance intensive,” Huff added. “The kids learn about dance technique and they learn about team work. They have really worked together as a team. There is just a lot work that goes into members working together in synch. That’s not always easily achieved but they have really come together as a really strong single unit.”
Saturday’s championships capped an outstanding season. Axis at the high school level went undefeated---scoring first place awards in competitions at three events earlier this year. Axis won competitions at Independence High School (Thompson Station, TN), Beech High School (Hendersonville, TN) and Spring Hill High School (Spring Hill, TN). The Axis cadet guard has placed first in competitions at Spring Hill and Beech and was second in the Independence contest---their first-ever competition.
Gina Huff is assisted by Sasha Griffin, Shawn Huff, and Chelly Taylor-Stamps.
“The staff has worked really hard with the kids,” Huff added. “They are passionate about this program and the kids.”
Huff adds that she hopes plans can be finalized so that the guard units can do a performance for their peers in the schools before the end of the school year in May.