Every year, the Wakefield High School winterguard and indoor winter percussion hosts Winterblast, an annual competition in which the program’s varsity team (Maroon), junior varsity team (Silver), and drumline get to perform an exhibition, while teams from other schools are actually competing to win first place in their class.  This school year, Winterblast was held on Saturday, March 12.

Not only is Winterblast an exciting event for the school, but it also helps the band and winterguard programs fund money so they can continue to grow in their activity.  Guard coach, Jason Johnson explained how hosting this competition at Wakefield boosts the program and makes it easier for staff and students to attain necessary equipment.  

“Winterblast serves as a fundraiser for both the indoor drumline, the winterguard program, and the band booster club,” said Johnson.  “This event goes to offset the cost for competing, any props, and for additional staff to help with the students that are in all of those programs.”

Winterblast is a home performance for Wakefield, so many winterguard students look forward to this event because it gives them a chance to show friends and family what they have been working on and perfecting for months.  Senior Bailie Johnson especially looks forward to events like Winterblast because of how audience members respond to their show.

“The most fun part about Winterblast is the roar of the audience,” said Bailie Johnson.  “Since it is a local show all of the groups look up to us and we get a huge applause.”

Varsity captain and senior, Jena Phillips agrees that performing a good show for their loved ones is important for both herself and the team because the community is able to recognize their hard work.  

“At Winterblast, I hope to have a good show for our friends and family,” said Phillips.  “I hope to enjoy the time I have with my team, since it’s my last Winterblast at Wakefield.”

Despite all of the hard work and long practices, team members can agree that their efforts are worth the end result because the performers become better at what they do while putting on an amazing show.

“The most important thing that I like to see is students growing as performers,” said Jason Johnson.  “I really like being able to coach students who have done this for years because I really get to see how they reach their full potential.”

Being in the winterguard program has made a huge impact on the lives of the many students involved.  Looking back, senior Natalie Abbondanzio has seen personal growth in both her life and as a member of the winterguard program over the past four years.

“I’m doing what I love to do,” said Abbondanzio.  “Despite what other people say [winterguard] is the best decision I made in my entire four years of high school and it’s something that I’ll never forget.  The program and the instructors have not just taught me about guard, but everything.  The lessons I’ve learned will impact and shape me as a person for the rest of my life.”