Winter Guard wraps season with precision performance

By VMC Public Affairs OfficeMarch 10, 2017

Winter Guard Performance
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Winter Guard Performance
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VICENZA -- For the second year in a row, Vicenza High School's Winter Guard, Avventura, performed for family and friends at the school gym Feb. 24. The group used songs from the Broadway musical "Wicked."

Vicenza Avventura is the only Winter Guard squad in DoDEA Europe. The group was established in 2016 and is coached by parent volunteer Ronda Metzger.

Linda Dahlstrom, VHS Winter Guard sponsor, said that Winter Guard is an indoor team activity that combines involves choreographed movements and technical ability of spinning flags, rifles and other equipment. It also includes the artistry of choreography and theatric details of props and costumes -- all performed to recorded music. For this reason, it is promoted by Winter Guard International as the "Sport of the Arts," according to the Winter Guard International website (www.wgi.org).

Guard members must first learn the fundamental elements of flags and rifles, with such varied names as boats, pizza throwers, slams, push spins, drop spins, back scratchers, around the world and carves, as well as various style tosses.

The fundamental elements are organized into routines that must be memorized by counts that match the accompanying music and are paired with dance and other across the floor movements.

"The entire process requires a high degree of mental focus, discipline and teamwork from every guard member.

"Many hours of practice are required to perfect a show that may run approximately four to eight minutes," said Dahlstrom.

Team members

11th-graders:

Makaylah Brown - Captain

Yoonjin Lee - Captain

Talli McMullin - Captain

Abigail Houghton

10th-graders:

Kurt Metzger - Captain

Donovan Compton

Derek Hammond

Marc Ortiz

9th-grader: Nicole Ramey

Related Links:

USAG Italy Facebook page

USAG Italy Website