Heading to Costa Rica!

Thanks to Winter Guard International and our generous sponsors at Halftime Hardware, we are thrilled to announce that our director Jackie Brown will be heading to WGI Costa Rica this year! The contest covers the weekend of May 9-10, and while there Jackie is excited to be volunteering on the ground floor of BN Arena to run the social media for WGI.

"We have always had a large social media following from Latin and South America, so it's going to be an incredible experience to put real faces to screen names in real life on this trip," says Jackie of her impending excitement. The Spintronix social media channels have already been flooded with excitement and thanks - mostly in Spanish - from those directors and performers who have used the free resources offered by Spintronix online over the years. "I'm definitely practicing my Spanish every day!" says Jackie, laughing when asked about her language skill. "I only ever learned Portuguese and it's just similar enough to be completely different."

She will be posting to the Winter Guard International social media pages, which we will link once the time gets closer, for the duration of the trip. This will help to bring exposure to the hard working teams in attendance at the Costa Rica contest, as well as attention to color guard as a worldwide sport rather than a niche community. "One of the other exciting aspects of this is that the students who I worked with when I lived in Brazil are all older now and teaching their own teams," Jackie explains when asked about how she feels toward the teams who will be attending the competition. "Getting to see how they have grown with the influences and opportunities provided by WGI, Spintronix, and their own dedication will be a reward in itself for me."

Jackie's trip is sponsored by Halftime Hardware, supplier of Concert Band, Marching Band, Color Guard, and Choral equipment. They carry a full line of guard equipment, uniforms, and silks. They also have shoes, gloves, podiums, storage and equipment carts,  uniforms and accessories, field accessories, drum major equipment, and rain gear  for your marching band. Directors can contact them for a free catalog!

My Visit with Spintronix!

Hello Spinthusiasts!

I was able to spend this past Friday hanging out with my Spintronix peeps! They were preparing for their first performance. It was a lot of fun to watch(Even if Jackie said it is usually a lot more fun when they don't have a competition the next day). I love the atmosphere and the personalities in the group.

It made me think of something that I just find funny. Every team that I have been able to be around shared the same "type" of personalities. They tend to have 'the dedicate one', 'the quiet one', 'the newb that is ROCKING IT', 'the chatty one', 'the rule follower', 'the silly one', 'the serious one', are just a few that come to mind. The reason I find it so funny is because they all have VERY different personalities, and yet, they are able to all come together as one for a sport they love so much.

I find these personalities are what makes the team stay balanced. We NEED 'the dedicated one' to give everyone something to strive for. We NEED 'the quiet one' to remind us all that sometimes our best tool is simply observing. We NEED 'the silly one' to remind us that we all shouldn't constantly take ourselves so seriously. We NEED 'the chatty one' to give all of us a little more courage to speak up(or maybe even as a reminder of what NOT to do😂😂😂). It seems we really need each of these personalities to really learn from one another and grow as a team and even just as a person.

Do you find this to be true in your guard? What are some more personalities you would add to the list?

"Ever since the beginning, to keep the world spinning, it takes all kinds of kinds." -Miranda Lambert

Until next time, Spinthusiasts!
The Skye Writer

Coaching ENERGY in your Color Guard Rehearsals

Hello Spinthusiasts!

I am back! I feel like it has been ages. It has definitely been a few weeks since I have been able to make a post. With the holidays and the pure craziness of getting back in the groove, things have been WILD!
 I've begun planning for this upcoming marching season. I can't even describe how excited I am. Last year was my first year being a Color Guard Instructor so there was definitely a huge learning curve. I have been able to adjust so much so this season runs even more seamlessly. With all of that being said, it brought me back to a quote I recently stumbled upon that I just LOVE.

"A coach will coach your technique. A coach will coach your game intellect. A coach will coach your practice habits. A coach will coach your fundamentals. A coach should NOT have to coach your energy, EVER. Your energy reveals your attitude and how badly you want it."
-Darren Fenster

It may come off a little harsh but it is the absolute truth. I personally believe that there is nothing a coach can do to give you the ENERGY and the DRIVE to do well. That has to come from inside of you. Sure, a coach can make practice more fun or exciting but we definitely can not take a student with no desire to do well in the sport and MAKE them want to do well. We just can't.

The ONLY thing we can do is SHOW these students with no drive just how amazing this is. We can PUSH them to be their very best. We can show them the ins and outs of what makes this sport something really special. We can perfect their technique until we are blue in the face. But we simply can't TEACH them how to LOVE the sport. I feel like the ones that are unsure about how to feel, at first, will definitely know when they excel in their performance just how much they LOVE what they are doing. It will take these students the opportunity to LOVE it, to find that drive and energy to REALLY succeed.

So, maybe we can't force them to have the energy and drive. That doesn't mean that we should give up on these students. But if we can show them what makes US love it, then maybe they will reach deep down and find the drive that will help them reach their true potential. This is what I hope for my team last year, this year, and every year from here on out: To be able to look back on their Color Guard career and be PROUD of all of their hard work. Because with hard work, these kiddos can do AMAZING THINGS!

Until next time, Spinthusiasts!

The Skye Writer

Online Etiquette, Color Guard and Beyond!

Hello Spinthusiasts!

Thank you for joining me this week for a new discussion. Jackie and I discussed this a little bit last week and it is actually a pretty interesting and lengthy topic. BUT WAIT! Do not look away. This subject is true for so many things. Not just Color Guard related. This is something we can all take a few minutes to ponder on.

Let's look at Color Guard Specifically. We all see so many posts from so many different Color Guards. Some just showing off their progress and some asking for feedback on how to improve many different aspects of the art. Have you ever seen, firsthand, a person post a video simply SHOWING us how far they have come with their toss(or any other move)only to be met with disapproving comments and unwelcome criticism? This person says, "Hey! Look at how awesome my around-the-world has gotten! I have been working on it for weeks!" Instead of a "good job!" They get, "Well, you need to keep your shoulders more square" or "You're moving around an awful lot to be working on it so long". How DISHEARTENING! It is heartbreaking to watch this from afar, as well. Here is a person, who has worked SO HARD on their technique, and is SO PROUD of their progress, only to be torn down by unwelcome comments about what they STILL need to improve when they didn't ask.

Now, maybe someone posts a video of their 45 toss and they can't, FOR THE LIFE OF THEM, get the catch. They just can't. So, they post a video and say, "Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong? I have been trying for weeks to perfect my catch and I STILL haven't mastered it! HELP!" Now THIS is the perfect time to chime in with your expertise and help this Spinthusiast out! This person is very obviously ready for the constructive criticism they need to get this right. Let's help each other out!

Let us take a tiny peak at the social media aspect. I will likely often talk about social media. It is everywhere. It is used for so much GOOD. But there is a dark side. In my opinion, social media is SO useful and can be SO great on so many fronts. I love that I can re-connect with people I haven't seen in years. I moved around a good bit as a kid and as an adult, so it is nice to be able to keep in touch and watch each other's families grow, successes, and everything else life gives us that we want to share. I love it. But I dislike how disconnected we have become. Not just disconnected because you are always on your phone. I mean disconnected because people seem to be WAY more likely to say not-so-nice things that they really wouldn't dare say so quickly to someone's face. We have all seen it. It happens everyday. Social media has disconnected us from emotions. Our own and other peoples. Common courtesy and KINDNESS has become increasingly nonexistent and that is terrifying.

What can we do to combat this? I have said this many times since becoming an instructor: "The most important part of being a leader is leading by example." Let's be the change. Let's throw some more kindness around. Let's hold the door open for someone. Let's give out compliments like we do our IG(because, come on, you know you do it A LOT😂). WE can do it, together!

So, now it is your turn! Please give me feedback. Do you agree that you should never give criticism on a post where it wasn't asked? Maybe you agree with this, but you have exceptions to the rule? What is YOUR opinion? We all want to know!

"You can not so kindness too soon, for you never know how soon will be too late."
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Until next time, Spinthusiasts!

The Skye Writer

Color Guard Diversity on Social Media

Hello Spinthusiasts!

It feels like it has been AGES since I made a post(but, I have only been MIA for 2 weeks). Between family cooties and Thanksgiving I have been all over the place. I suppose I shouldn't say anything because our wonderful Jackie got to go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade AGAIN! I am slightly envious(😉💓) but I was also SO excited that she was sweet enough to share with all of us. Go check out her adventure if you haven't. You won't be disappointed.

It is that time that Indoor Guards all over are gearing up for their season. It is amazing to get to see all of the guards sharing some of their extremely entertaining shenanigans on social media. I may be biased, but Spintronix pages have been my top favorite over the last several months😁. I am so excited to spend some time with the team this year, as I am able. It has been sad to not be able to much, so far. That will change!

This brings me to my topic of the evening. Color Guard Diversity on Social Media.
Thanks to social media and the good ol' internet itself, we are given the gift of sharing an infinite number of things. I am always completely intrigued by the different ways that different guards represent themselves on social media. Some share choreography. Some share different tricks to make your performance planning spectacular. Some share hilarious antics that they all like to get into together. Some share taping tips, uniform hacks, make-up hacks, you name it. They may be different in their presentation, based on personality and what exactly they wish to convey, but they all definitely share to help others in their position. There is something pretty special about that. It goes to show that the strength of your team has so much more to do with the diversity itself than it does knowledge of the sport. If this wasn't the case, we wouldn't have so many willing to share so much of what makes them successful.

I know this post isn't very long but I feel like the paragraph above speaks volumes about how diverse this little world is. It is actually super fun to have the opportunity to watch the guards from our screens.

What is your favorite thing about being able to watch your favorite Guards on social media? Let us know!

"Strength lies in differences, not similarities." ~Stephen R. Covey

Until next time, Spinthusiasts!

The Skye Writer

Color Guard Family

Hello Spinthusiasts!

I am back and ready to hit on another subject that I feel we can all agree on. "Color Guard Family". I feel like it goes without saying that when you are a member of any team, there is a very obvious "family" sense. Color Guard seems to be a very special type of family unit, from my own experience. This year has been my first time to view from the instructors perspective, but I most definitely see the same thing that I felt as a performer many years ago.

There are so many factors that play into this special connection we feel in the Color Guard world. The first time my guard was able to really connect was at Band Camp over the summer. Think about it. Some of these students have never been away from their own families this long in their entire life. Some of these students wait all year to have this entire week where they feel like they are a part of a family, because they simply don't have one the rest of the year.

This opens up so many different emotions for each side of the spectrum. Some are finally getting to be their own person away from their families. This gives THESE students a bigger opportunity to "find themselves", so to speak. They aren't under the microscope of their parents(now it is just the scary directors and instructors😂). Maybe they aren't having to help with their siblings. Maybe they don't have to work longs hours to help make ends meet, even if only for a week.

 Now for the other end of the spectrum. These students either come from an unstable home, they are missing a parent(or both), they have no siblings, they are bouncing from home to home, or they just are struggling with numerous things that none of us could even comprehend. These students come to Band Camp and feel a sense of unity. They FINALLY feel like they are a part of something BIG, because they ARE! They are surrounded by other kids their age that they can relate to. They are surrounded by a group of adults that already love them and are ready to do whatever it takes for them to get everything they possibly can out of an absolutely amazing program. These kids are making connections that some of them have waited their whole lives for.

Band Camp was my own teams biggest opportunity to connect and become a family, but they have held that connection all year and it only got stronger when they began competing. There is something so strong about the connection they feel when they realize how much they all have to work together to make a team like this work, and to even score well. This added a completely different dynamic to their family connection. Not to mention the HOURS upon HOURS of hair and make-up we spent doing together through the season, but we won't go there this time😂. All jokes aside, it was one of the most exciting things I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of and I look forward to many more years.

Now for you, Spinthusiasts! When did you notice your team REALLY connect? Was it before Band Camp(Or if you are indoor and you do your own Guard Camp)? Was it the first performance? First competition? Maybe something TOTALLY unique? Let us know what YOUR experience was!

"When a team feels like a family, they will go all out to love a serve one another." -Perry Noble

Until next time, Spinthusiasts!

The Skye Writer

"An Instructor's Heart"

Hello Spinthusiasts!

　
This has been my first year as a Color Guard Instructor. I have fallen completely in love with this side of the Guard world. It is 100% different to be the instructor, as opposed to being the performer(though, I will say, I miss that part all the time).

This brings me to the point of this blog post: "An Instructor's Heart". I have been given the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, on many different levels of the Color Guard world. Whether it be the instructors, band directors, judges, you name it. Diving down into Color Guard instructors specifically, I have noticed something that they have ALL had in common: They are givers.

When I say "They are givers", it means so much more than those simple words. I feel like, as humans, we are givers by nature. There is something completely unique about Color Guard instructors(from my perspective but this is most definitely not ONLY Color Guard instructors). Of course, they dedicate hours upon hours, weeks upon weeks, to their group of performers. As does any instructor, director, coach, etc. When I have had the opportunity to chat with other Color Guard instructors, I specifically notice 1 major common denominator. They definitely dedicate the USUAL time, energy, and knowledge it takes to be the instructor. But, there are few more things that I notice...

They dedicate EXTRA time. The time some of the performers NEED to be successful in the program. No, they aren't getting paid for that extra time. Some of them aren't getting paid at all, but none of them would share that with you. To them, it doesn't matter. They are here because they have the HEART. And not just for Color Guard, but the lives of these performers.

They dedicate their OWN money. They don't do this for a pat on the back. Actually, it is another example of things they would never share with your everyday person. They WANT to make sure that these performers have everything they need, not only to be successful but to have FUN. Obviously, being on a competitive team is exciting for the competition factor, but that is such a small portion of what these performers get out of being on a team of this magnitude.(Which, this part could honestly be an entire blog post on its own.)

They dedicate their HEARTS, not just their knowledge. Instructors become a parent figure to most, if not all, of their team. While we all give our expert knowledge of the Color Guard world and what it takes to be successful, we are often the ones these students come to when life becomes too much. Maybe home life is hard. Maybe school has become too much for them and they just need a good cry. Maybe they need help with homework. Whatever it is, we are here for it. They become an extension of our family. The hardest part is our inability to FIX all of it. We WANT to, but life isn't always that simple. We also get to celebrate with them! Maybe they made a good grade on that test they were so stressed about last week. Maybe they reconnected with their cousin after years of animosity. Maybe they got their driver's license! No matter the stress or success, we are here for it. No questions asked.

　

Spinthusiasts, what are your thoughts? What are some things that you have noticed about instructors? Do you have an instructor that helped shape your life? Maybe you have something else to add? I know I left a lot out. We want to hear from YOU!

"We lose ourselves in the things we love. We find ourselves there, too." -Kristen Martz

Until next time, Spinthusiasts!

"The Skye Writer"