On Saturday April 6, 2024, the BWHS Winter Guard participated in the state championships, taking seventh place with their show. The Winter Guard put on a beautiful show with their topic of cardiectomy. While portraying themes of sorrow, betrayal and anger as the members of the guard lost their hearts. They demonstrated the plague of broken heartedness in a melancholy but beautiful manner.
Cardiectomy, defined as the excision of the heart. Carlina Gorgone, the coach for the BWHS winter guard, chose this topic after her search for a song that shows a high build up of energy and emotions in the last third of the song. The show was performed on the track “Born Without a Heart” by Faouzia. Gorgone says that the lyrics made her think about heart surgery, but Gorgone also wanted the guard to portray, “broken heartedness as well as anger… as someone has taken your heart without your permission.” Every aspect of the show was meticulously planned out by the captains, from the costumes to props, bringing the concept to life.
As the members portrayed their hearts being ripped out from inside them a story was born outside of them. This competition was the last of the season, but the team grew a lot. Akshaya Gajula, a freshman at Briar Woods, says that this performance was, “fun and a little difficult. But I could really feel the improvement from the beginning of the season. I enjoyed it a lot.”
Dani Palausci, co-captain of the BWHS winter guard, performed an extraordinary rifle solo and says the experience was, “Very nerve wracking, and when the moment comes for the solo I just tell myself I can do it and I’m gonna catch it even if I don’t always.” Palusci talks about how doing the solo helped her learn how to do things outside of her comfort zone and how guard in general has helped her learn and grow as a person.
Grace Bailey, a 9th grader, says “”It was a really fun environment, and I’m glad I got to experience it because everyone was so nice and supportive.” While at the championships the members of the guard were able to connect with each other and were also able to meet and connect with other people from different schools. Bailey says, “It was beautiful to be around a bunch of people who are all passionate about guard, and the environment as a whole was so inclusive and inspiring.”
Winter guard has proven to mean more to the members than just a show. Palausci says, “It’s like a combination of working hard and achieving things along with making new friends and being able to be a leader,” and it has taught her how to, “carry on with hard things even if I make a mistake.”
The 2023-2024 season of winter guard has come to a close with this competition being their final. As the guard grew and learned this season they can all agree on one thing, this was a successful season. The BWHS team began the season with the goal to rebuild and ended the season with their goals reached and surpassed. Wrapping up this year’s successful season ready to continue growing and do even better next season.
