The whirlwind that is Winter Guard ends tomorrow with our 2010 Championship performance. It’s been a totally different experience this year teaching in a new part of the country and working with much younger kids. The thing is in the end it’s all the same, good kids, hard work, good inspiration, lots of time invested and at championships I am always proud.

With competitive arts it is super easy to get all caught up in winning and there is always the rush to teach, finish and then fine tune the show. We bust our butts have stressful days and try our darnedest to get as close to perfection as possible. Sometimes we forget about savoring the journey but I never forget to look back at where we came from.

My group of kiddos are so young and most had zero experience before I got my hands on them. They’ve been so eager to learn and while they are too hyper and often lack focus in rehearsals they sure have come much farther than most kids in their shoes could ever dream of.

They never let their inexperience keep them from trying all the far-fetched things I asked them to do. Their willingness to try everything I’ve thrown at them has allowed them to grow much more than most would expect from such a young, new group.

Is the show perfect and 100% clean? Nope. There are sure things that still need work and there always will be, with any Winter Guard. Nobody is EVER 100% perfect, not even the best of the best.

Am I proud and even amazed at what we have managed to accomplish? You bet!

Each group of students I teach has a different style and drive. Some are hard core at certain things others aren’t. Some really have to be coerced in to trying my crazy ideas, others never question them or think they are impossible.

This year my kiddos are defined by their eagerness to learn and their bravery in doing new things. They’ve really absorbed all I shown them and they look like they should have much more training than the honestly have. They looks more experienced than they are, this is both to their advantage and disadvantage.

Good news is we’ve come such a long way this season. Next season will be cake in comparison and it will be time for us to really master the ins and outs of technique and basic exercises. It has been a successful season, I think. Much growth and learning has taken place. I am proud of where we are and hope the kids are too.