The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

Alicia Lee

May 24, 2023

Senior Alicia Lee performs a solo during Tournament of Champions. Photo by Darpan Singh

Despite dancing for over 10 years and being on the MV Dance Team for three, senior Alicia Lee decided to leave dancing for Color Guard. Although it was a hard decision, Lee says the main reason she chose to stop dancing stemmed from management issues and “it [not being] a great environment for [her].” Additionally, she was also urged by friends to join Color Guard. 

Lee’s decision to leave MVDT and join Color Guard was one she thought a lot about. Oftentimes, she would think she had solidified her decision, but it wouldn’t be long before she rethought her choice. While Lee felt some initial regret at the beginning of the Color Guard season, she ultimately believes it was the right decision. 

Although Color Guard has been a major time commitment for her, especially during competition season, Lee says the community she has found within the team has been extremely rewarding, as her teammates make an effort to hang out with each other outside of practices. 

“The Color Guard community exists even outside the sport,” Lee said. “The mentors are a lot more supportive and care about things outside of just logistical aspects, which forms a really nice community. I’m glad I went through with this decision — I got to get closer with different people, make new connections and try out a new sport.” 

Lee recognizes that although she’s not on the dance team anymore, she has still remained connected to dance, as Color Guard has allowed her to utilize the technique skills she learned throughout her many years of dancing. 

“[Color Guard and dance] are similar and different at the same time because they both have aspects of dance and performance,” Lee said. “But Color Guard is more equipment based because you have flags, weapons and other things. I feel like I liked both and I still like both, it’s just that [Color Guard] is something different.”  

 

El Estoque • Copyright 2024 • FLEX WordPress Theme by SNOLog in