By Tara Lyn Siy, Kapolei High School

When I first joined the Kapolei High School’s marching band as a color guard member, I had no idea how much I would appreciate my time there. At first, I was nervous and unsure what to expect, but I quickly found myself part of a close-knit community where I made lifelong friendships and created memories that would last a lifetime. We spent almost every day together, whether it was during band camp in the summer, football games in the fall, or competitions and parades throughout the year. These opportunities gave us plenty of time to connect personally and share our experiences of the thrill of performing our show for the first time. Together, we suffered through weeks of hard work, then shared that adrenaline rush when setting up our equipment on the field, and the satisfaction of giving our all during our performance. All of these experiences helped me gain confidence and a sense of belonging in both myself and my peers.

But those aren’t the reasons why I decide to rejoin each year. I rejoined because I got to see those around me grow and step out of their comfort zones, and each year I built connections with others throughout the season. I witnessed my friends overcome their fears, develop new skills, and cheer each other on, even during difficult moments. So, I get especially excited when new people join our guard because there will be even more people to be friends with, teach color guard skills to, who will hopefully learn to appreciate the sport I’ve dedicated so much time to. I get to see firsthand how much a person can grow, from their first tryout to the end of the season, tossing advanced tricks. This is the main reason why color guard means so much to me. I love seeing my peers grow alongside me–even surpassing me in skill–and become part of our color guard family.

My role in the marching band is color guard co-captain. My responsibilities typically include teaching those who are struggling to keep up, repairing equipment, making announcements, and substituting when our instructor is away. I also help to organize team-bonding activities, coordinate schedules, and communicate important information to the group. This also creates a unique dynamic with my underclassmen; while I am their leader, I am also their friend. My duty to them is to foster an approachable and supportive atmosphere, understand and communicate their concerns, and, most importantly, ensure everyone feels safe and seen. I believe the foundation of a good team is creating an environment where everyone can enjoy the journey we are all on together.

Despite our pleasant community, there will always be challenges. One example happened during one of our practices: we kept getting off track and started goofing around, so I had to be the one to get us back on track. I felt bad about ruining the joviality, but as their leader, my ultimate goal was for them to succeed as color guardsmen above all else. Another example was when I needed to adapt my instructional style for students who learn differently. I learned to be patient and flexible, using different teaching methods to reach everyone. I continued to motivate my teammates and teach them that perseverance and encouragement can make a big difference, especially when we are preparing for an important performance or competition. Being a co-captain has taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, empathy, and teamwork—qualities that I will carry with me beyond high school.

During my years with the Kapolei High School Color Guard, I have developed a strong attachment towards my guardsmen, whom I watched grow individually and become one team. Being part of this band improved my ability to lead a large group, teach color guard skills to my peers, and connect with my underclassmen while fulfilling my responsibilities as a color guard captain. So, if you are reading this and thinking about becoming a color guard captain, I definitely recommend it!