Winter Guard is a sport of the arts in which a team conveys a meaning or tells a story using not words, but their bodies. They dance and spin flags and rifles. The performers put themselves in the position of characters whose story they are telling. The best part though? The season is finally here.

Center Hill’s Winter Guard shows are known to move people. Many are very touching and address real problems. For example, the show of 2016 was titled “Fix You.” In this show a mere group of 10 people told the story of a boy trying to save a suicidal girl. Most people who watched found themselves shedding tears.

This year’s show, however, breeches an entirely new territory. Guard coach Melanie Caffee revealed this year’s concept as an Insane Asylum. Inspired by the songs “Heathens” and “Goner” by 21 Pilots, the show will be performed to an original mashup of the two. It will include props such as white walls, a door, a white floor mat and red chairs. The creepy concept will be completed with uniforms that resemble strait jackets. Additionally, the instructors, Caffee on flag, and Jamie Frey on rifle, are collaborating with a professional choreographer to make this season one of the best yet and “[keep] with current trends in choreography,” as Frey said.

After weeks of preparing for this show, it was finally time for tryouts. Caffee and Frey said they were both really impressed by what they saw.

“[She’s] really excited about working with these kids,” Caffee said.

Everyone who tried out was eager and optimistic, and those are two traits that every guard person needs.

Tryouts were held Nov. 7, and not only revealed who was on the team, but also who was leading it. Seniors Carrie Guy and Jillian Ressler were named the two captains for the season. Both of them have held this position before and plan to continue to “lead by example,” to fulfill their roles. Both captains are devoted and excited about the show concept. Jill even believes it to be “a step up from last year.”

All four of these leaders, instructors and captains, are going to lead the rest of this phenomenal guard to victory at many competitions this season. In fact, Center Hill will be hosting the first of the season and hopes to see everyone there!