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Name: Alyssa Casey
Graduation Year: 2005
Guard Shows:
- Creatures of the Night
- Winter Guard – Blue Man Group
- West Side Story
- Winter Guard – Tiny Dancer
- Mangione Magic
- Pirates of the Caribbean
What I’m up to: I graduated Antioch and am planning on attending St. Norbert College in DePere, WI in the fall. I’m so excited, I can’t wait! I am planning on majoring in something in art design. It is a smaller, liberal arts school and so, unfortunately, does not have a guard. It’s very hard adjusting to being done with guard. Oh, what to do with my Tuesday nights???? Don’t worry, I’m still gonna visit and am definitely coming to a half time show or competition next year! The Beatles – seriously, you guys are so lucky. This show has awesome potential, I can’t wait to see it!!
Advice/Inspiration: Top 10 Things I Learned in Guard (in no particular order):
10. Practice – it’s so much more fun when you actually know what’s going on!
9. Seriously listen to Noreen & Darlene: APPLY, APPLY, AND RE-APPLY, OR ELSE YOU’LL FRY and doing guard work when you’re sun burned, so not fun! For all you SPF 4 tanning oil girls: even if you wear SPF 5,000 at band camp you WILL get a tan, so just wear sunscreen, and don’t forget about your lips – get SPF chapstick so your lips aren’t too burned to show off that beautiful smile!
8. Just give up on the costumes and make-up. Stop asking what the costumes will look like, because they are not going to tell you, believe me, I tried (unsuccessfully) for 4 years!! And when the costumes get here, don’t whine, you love them, you just haven’t realized it yet. Lipstick sucks, get over it.
7. Whatever it is, you won’t get away with it – Nor and Dar will make you change out of your jeans or flip-flops, they’ll know you didn’t practice, and they have this radar that can sense gum even if you’re not chewing it – beware! He he!
6. Don’t Quit. Enough said, just don’t do it! (not that you’ll want to!)
5. Sleep is good! You think tossing is hard – try doing it when you’re only half awake…
4. Speaking of tosses…they’re awesome, amazing, fun, and just like your crazy costumes & make-up, you’ll learn to love them! Practice makes perfect. Just watch the rotation and when the time is right, stick your hand in there and grab that flag/weapon! ( I know! Way easier said than done!)
3. If you need help, ask for help. It is so much easier than learning it the wrong way. No one will think you’re dumb and at least 2 other girls have the same question they’re just too nervous to ask – so be brave! Call your captain or other guard buddy and come 15 min. early to practice – it makes a world of a difference. And if you’re confident with what you’re doing, help someone else!
2. I don’t think I have ever met a closer-knit, more wonderful, talented, and amazing group of girls than our guard. It’s amazing how so many people can work together and create something so awesome! I know you hear this from everyone, but don’t take any of it for granted – cherish every moment, every performance, every practice (I know, easier said than done). Have fun and get to know your fellow guard girls – that’s half the fun of the season! And don’t be too hard on the band either ! Make each performance better than the next.
1. OK, my # 1, fail-proof performance advice: SMILE!!!! You know what the easiest way to do this is??? Have fun! Be confident! Then you don’t even have to fake your smile, it’ll already be there. Seriously, get into it, have fun with the music, and don’t stress about it. Everything in life is only what you make of it, so make the best of it. Attitude is one of the most important things! You know you love band camp!
All right, I’m done with all the corny, inspirational advice, I swear! I miss you all so much! It was an amazing 4 years, I can’t imagine my high school years without guard!
Good luck girls and thanks for the memories!!
~Alyssa
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