Winter Guard for Middle Schoolers?

Winter guard in Middle School

Winter guard is a program that not many middle schools offer. Most middle schools may offer cheer or dance teams to their students but very few have winter guard as an option. Fortunately at West Clermont Middle School the performing arts program is always developing, including the addition and growth of their winterguard.

About WCMS Winter Guard

The WCMS winter guard was established in 2022 by a volunteer. The team did not compete until the winter of the following year. Currently in the 2024/2025 season the team is run by Miranda Dutterer, a sixth grade teacher at WCMS. Ms. Dutterer dedicates 2 days a week to the team, 2 hours after school on those days. She also assists the West Clermont High School winterguard while also co-directing the WCMS musical.

Competitions

On the day of competitions the guard prepares to perform the show. After a short practice the guard is provided with a bountiful breakfast supplied by Mrs. M. a parent helper. While the guard is eating, the makeup artist Ms. R. (another parent helper) is dolling up the students who had already finished eating. Many of the coaches will help with hair and other details after breakfast is finished. After a swift clean up the guard transfers onto the buses and heads to the competition locations to perform.

Team Bonding

While just performing at competitions is memorable enough, a majority of the WCMS winter guard reports that their favorite part of competitions is watching their senior guards perform. Eliza M. an eighth grader in her third year of winter guard says that “It's very cool to see other guards perform,” and that competitions are an amazing experience overall. Competitions help the students participating bond and grow as a team as they hype each other up and celebrate every victory no matter how small.

Student Relationships

Peyton D. an eighth grader in her second year of winter guard says that guard has enriched her relationships with her teammates and given her more friends to connect with. Being in an activity where everyone works towards the same goal builds trust and confidence in one another. All of the students interviewed commented that winter guard has positively affected their social life to varying degrees and that they would all recommend the artistic sport to anyone who is interested.

Benefits of  Winter Guard

The students of West Clermont Middle School are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in winter guard so early in life. Winter guard has many benefits both physically and mentally because it is both a sport and a creative outlet. Allowing students to have opportunities like winter guard open to them as they develop, helps better them as people and as one common community. The WCMS winter guard will continue to expand and develop over the years while providing students with unique middle school experiences.

Written by: Jenna W. & Adriana C.

Tristate Marching Arts show pictures