The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
Categories:

The beauty behind the flag

Jasmyn Mitchell, Reporter
December 8, 2023
Jon Swope
The elegance of the color guard rarely faces competition. The swinging of alluring flags, the funk of the band and the structured marching grants the NC color guard an unmatchable reputation. Though movies briefly portray this sport, it remains underrepresented. The team undergoes countless hours of practice together as a team to deliver performances for their audiences. The group of talent consistently puts on stunning performances and represents the NC marching band beautifully.

With the sport of Color Guard debuting as a military requirement, the connotations now attached to this pastime have changed from its original militia benefit to a beautiful physical activity. Teams wave pleasing flags as a form of self-expression; directors design new flags each season to convey the team’s theme. These Frequent reinventions keep the team fresh. 

Schools across America include Color Guard in their list of extracurriculars and provide students with the opportunity to express themselves through the sport. High schools in Cobb County School District such as Wheeler and Kell include Color Guard in their extracurriculars, however, NC stands out in the pool of Guard teams around the county. 

 The NC Color Guard performs at football games, pep rallies, local parades, local and regional competitions and other community events. During competitions, the Color Guard adds to the overall score of the band through visual and general effect captions. Additionally, the Guard receives an individual score from a judge selected for the guard’s specific element in the show.

Similar to other sports, Color Guard teams compete for awards. The NC Color Guard team participates in local competitions and impresses audiences during football games during halftime. From April to November, the team travels to competitions to present their talents and hard work. 

 Comparable to other competitive activities, the Guard receives number scores. The Guard can secure incentives through scoring and placements. These placements may vary; For example, if a Guard member drops their equipment and quickly makes it back in with the choreography, then the judge will add a certain amount of points.

The directors labeled this season as “Monarch,” referencing the monarch butterfly. Monarch butterflies make relationships and bond together until the cycle continues, similar to the team. The Guard and band members bond together as a family until their season ends and the cycle continues. Team members build long-lasting relationships and accomplish their goals together; each member possessing similar goals builds chemistry and meaningful connections. Whether the connections lead to external rewards such as team captain or internal rewards such as confidence, the team overflows with love. Audiences can see the love in photos, at sports events and in school halls. 

After days of practice, the team competed at Kennesaw Mountain High School (KMHS) October 28 against high schools such as Walton, Lassiter and McaEachern. NC’s Beautiful performance placed the team in third place. The team prepared for a long competition day by starting with two hours of rehearsal time. 

“We all got on the bus and it wasn’t that long of a bus ride so it was chill for the most part. We got to KMHS and had a lot of extra time so our coach sat us in a circle and made us go around saying our favorite part of the season. Shortly after we got to our warm-up spot and just worked choreo [choreography] , then we split off into weapon and flag line,” Once they were ready for us, we got ready to perform. This performance was the best run our team has had all season. We got 3rd place overall out of the six bands that performed,” NC junior Jasper Payne said. 

The team performed late into the afternoon after the other schools finished. While waiting to perform, the team sat and studied the other performances. After this period of waiting, the NC Guard finally stepped on the stage, ultimately saving their best run for the last performance. Placing third motivated the team to push their limits because they ended their season with a first-place trophy at their last competition at Newnan High School.

Along with these exciting events, their sister sport, Winter Guard, held auditions two short days after their final competition. As the Color Guard chapter closes, the team can focus on their activities with the Winter Guard. 

“This season is actually gonna be more enjoyable. I love Winter Guard more than Color Guard, less heat and people are more tolerable. Last season was also super nice. I met so many people and improved my performing skills and learned not to be afraid under the spotlight,” NC junior Olivia Gonzalaz-Langhorne said. 

 
View Story Comments
Print this Story
Tags:
More to Discover
More in Features
Every student-athlete awaits that coveted day when they declare, in front of their loved ones and coaches, where they plan to pursue sports after high school. For six of NC’s premiere players, November 13 marked that special day. Across varsity volleyball and lacrosse, love and appreciation for the successful seniors echoed through NC’s Arena and set the stage for future commitments.
The six who signed: NC athletes commit to collegiate sports
For NC wrestlers, practice remains the foundation of success that leads teams to higher levels of competition. The coaches of the NC wrestling team watch closely to tend to the students’ skills, helping the athletes improve. The athletes learn to step on the mat and treat anyone across from them as a potential opponent to prepare for the intense tournaments. When athletes hone their skills during their practice and take all the advice coaches direct, they can become champions.
Wrestling practice: The foundation to championship success
Reminiscing on their last season, NC color guard seniors laugh and cry together. From heartfelt speeches to spontaneuous dance circles, the night reflects their close-knit bond and journey as performers. Follow the team as they ride a wave of emotions, and celebrate their achievements.
Senior Night with the NC Guard
To promote holiday cheer and spread their love for Jesus, NC’s Collective Hope (CHC) Bible study club hosted a Christmas service project. Partnering with Operation Christmas Child, CHC packed shoeboxes with essential items that the organization will send to underprivileged children overseas. From providing hygiene products to writing Christmas cards, the club’s members hope to spread their love all the way from Kennesaw.
Christmas in a shoebox: Collective Hope Club’s Christmas service project
The janitors at NC play a vital role in maintaining the clean, welcoming environment that students appreciate. Their work remains essential to the school’s smooth operation and promotes a healthy setting. With their support, the NC community feels complete and inspired to pursue excellence together.
The unsung heroes of NC: The janitorial staff
NC's International Studies magnet program hosted an open house for eighth graders from different middle schools throughout the county October 22. With the help of faculty and staff, future magnet students learned about the amazing opportunities the program offers. Magnet coordinator and assistant principal James Auld presented the program's basic offerings to parents and students.
Rising magnet students: NC fall open house
More in Showcase
A month into the E. coli breakout, McDonald’s continues to face the fallout that has harmed and killed over 100 customers. The company strives to terminate the cause swiftly and carefully to bring safe foods back on the menu. Even though the incident caused extreme consequences to their customers, a majority of people seem to ignore the breakout and continue to eat there.
Not once but twice: McDonald’s run-in with E. coli
Following former President and current President-elect Donald Trump’s win against the Democratic party’s candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, a group of left-leaning women have considered joining forces against the patriarchy with the 4B movement. The feminist movement, which originated in Korea, calls for women to avoid traditional gender roles with four pillars: bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae and bisekseu. Though the movement began before the 2020 pandemic, it has remained relatively unknown until its entry into Western media.
The 4B movement’s fresh feminist force
The notorious Victorian muffin man–and modern NC teachers Cogbill, Dillard and Tener– and despite the separation of time and technology, all demonstrate the role food plays in connecting populations and spreading warmth. Originating from the 19th century, this iconic figure emerged as a street vendor who fed the hungry industrial workers of his age. Today, the figure lives on in NC hallways, supporting student activities such as wrestling and robotics.
Muffin men through the ages: The sweet evolution of community spirit
What started as an agricultural process eventually evolved into an exciting fall activity for families and friends to enjoy. Pumpkins can meet specific entertainment needs and involve different cultural practices. These applications do not always include eating or decoration, but rather a variety of applications, each with its unique purpose.
The gourd and its gourd-geous uses
In a period of political debates and complications, fact-checking remains polarizing between political parties. Used as a means to clear up misinformation or even disinformation, credible fact checkers provide context for those Americans who lack education on certain topics. Without the ability to certify information, dangerous consequences may occur.
The nose grows: The essential need for fact-checking in the U.S.
November 9, NC’s Warrior Wrestling hosted twelve schools in honor of their annual Warrior Invitational tournament. In the midst of their varsity boys lineup, both seasoned competitors and fresh faces headed onto the mat with one goal in mind — beating their opponents. With their first event under their belts, the Warriors look forward to building upon their established successes throughout the season.
NC Wrestling pins down a fourth-place finish at the Warrior Invitational
About the Contributor
Jasmyn Mitchell
Jasmyn Mitchell, Reporter
Jasmyn “ Jazzy” Mitchell is a junior at NC. Mitchell adores expressing herself through photography and writing. She navigates every day through a critical lens and plans to change the world. Journalism gives Mitchell the opportunity to express her feelings, critics and opinions. Writing is something she's always been shy about, but this gives her the privilege to show the world her abilities.