photo by Stephanie Croston The SHS Winterguard performs its show, set to Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats, during a March 3 regional competition in Seward.

by Stephanie Croston

    The Seward High Winter-guard closed its competition season with a trip to Florida March 16 through 20 for a power regional competition.
     "It was a neat learning experience," senior Becky Hartshorn said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
     The Seward team was one of 38 in the Scholastic A division. Although it finished 30th, the team scored 73.8 points, its highest point total of the season.
     "Everybody said it was their best show," senior Devon Johnson said.
     The team had had to make some changes to its show, set to Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats by Sparks, because some couldn't make the trip to Florida due to other commitments.
     "We had enough to fill places," Jessica Telecky, a junior, said.
     Fellow junior Corissa Fosler agreed.
     "We had to make adjustments and everyone had to step up," she said.
     Once in Florida, the 21-member Seward team faced stiff competition from teams that focus only on winterguard. Some, Johnson said, practiced for 15 hours a week, while the Seward team struggled to find five hours where everyone could be at practice.
     "We held in with them," Johnson said, pleased with the team's performance.
     One of the more difficult aspects of the power regional competition is watching the other groups warm up, the girls said. Each has 16 minutes in the warm-up area.
     "We could see others practicing. That was nerve-wracking," junior Sherry Stevens said.
     "We watched some performances and then practiced in the parking lot," Johnson said.
     The competition was held at the Sun Dome on the University of South Florida campus. Johnson said it was about the size of the Qwest Center in Omaha, which is much bigger than any other competition venue the team had seen this season.
     Because of its size and bowl shape, every sound echoed.
     "It made me paranoid of dropping," Stevens said.
     Once Seward's music started, however, the team was ready.
     "Our confidence level really showed once we were on the floor and performing," Johnson said. "I think we showed the Florida people that Nebraska may be little but it's mighty."
     The team did get to watch other groups perform, but none really stood out, the girls said. Many used much slower music than Seward's, which the team didn't care for.
     "Our's was the only one that was entertaining," Fosler said. "A lot put me to sleep."
     Telecky agreed that slower music is harder to perform to.
     "There doesn't seem to be a right point to throw," she said.
     Carmen Johnson, the team's sponsor, said slower music requires more dance moves, which is not Seward's forte.
     "Everyone there has major years of dance," she said. "Some of our girls have never danced before."
     Stevens said watching the other groups perform helps because it shows how good a group can be with enough practice.
     "We understand why they nag," Johnson added with a laugh.
     The Seward Winterguard was able to have some fun while in Florida, as well, visiting Universal Studios and Sea World and attending an Arabian Nights dinner show.
     The girls are already looking forward to next season. Carmen Johnson said choreographer Julie Hadley will probably be back, and the returning guard members had some advice to those new on the squad.
     "Be willing to learn," Telecky said.
     "Don't take anything personally," Stevens added.
     Devon Johnson, who will graduate in May, had this to say.
     "Have fun. Get along, and do your best at each show."