Bearcat Winter Guard nets top finishes, builds leadership

Northwest Missouri State University’s Bearcat Winter Guard recently concluded its season with a new advisor and a renewed outlook on its direction.

Its season included a first-place finish at the Mid-Continent Color Guard Association competition in Belton, Missouri, in addition to their participation in competitions in Omaha, Nebraska, and in Blue Springs and Springfield in Missouri.

Founded in 2017, the organization is a team of 11 students who create a show with coordinating flags, costumes and choreography with a theme. They are judged in four categories – equipment, movement, design analysis and general effect – as well as criteria such as difficulty and program concept.

The Bearcat Winter Guard competed this year with a show, titled “Let the Light Guide You.” (Submitted photo)

Annie Pope, a senior biology major from Lathrop, Missouri, serves as the organization’s president. Since joining the group, Pope said she has developed skills that have opened new opportunities.

“Being president of this team has definitely changed my life for the better,” Pope said. “Because of the leadership skills I’ve acquired, I’ve been able to take up a coaching job at Benton High School, and now I’m going to be transferring to Maryville High School. That’s something I never would have been able to accomplish without this experience.”

This year’s show, titled “Let the Light Guide You,” was performed to a cover of “Fix You” by Coldplay and explored themes of grief and healing.

“We had a lantern prop that represented our own light, and we tried to envision that light as some sort of happy memory or thought to bring us out of the darkness,” Pope said. “In the guard and dance world, the emotions you show on your face throughout the performance are extremely important to telling your story.”

Brooke O’Donnell, a sophomore human services major from Omaha, Nebraska, serves as vice president for the organization. She said traveling to competitions and building connections with teammates were highlights of the season.

“Just being with all my friends and such a great team full of accomplished and very talented people, that’s what makes Bearcat Winter Guard shine, and that’s what makes it worth being at practice and competing all the time,” O’Donnell said.

Dr. Rose Blanchard, an assistant professor of biology and the organization’s advisor, said the team has expanded its presence on campus and online this year. New to Northwest last fall, Blanchard was asked by students to lead the Bearcat Winter Guard after they learned she participated in color guard in high school.

“It was great to be exposed to something that was such a large part of my high school experience, so I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to watch the tryouts and the growth of the team from tryouts through their showcase,” Blanchard said.