This past weekend the Oak Park Winter Guard competed at Grain Valley High School against Raymore, Liberty, Liberty North and Belton High School.

After many other competitions, and endless sweaty practices, they were ready to give it their best.

Junior Stephanie Brocato, third from the left, says, “Personally the biggest challenge for me is learning the drill itself. Learning flag and weapon work and then having to perfect the moves for competition it’s tough.”

But evidently that all paid of in the end, because the seven Oak Park students left with first place.

“I was shocked, because we have been neck and neck with Ray-Pec all season,” Brocato said. “To beat them again by a slim amount of points is a pretty awesome feeling.”

Seeing these teammates work so well together was breath taking. Not only did they have great synchronization and concentration, but you could also see that they are a good team, and build off of each other well. You can see the close bond when Brocato says “My favorite part of Winter Guard all together is definitely getting to torment our captain Emma Leeds, and getting to stay in a hotel with my team at state.”

The team has been doing a great job and no doubt will keep us all on our feet with their hard work.

And for a bit of comic relief, sophomore Courtney Campbell tells us, “The ending dance is my favorite because we get to lay down.”

Congratulations to Winter Guard for winning first.