It was a banner occasion two weekends in a row for the Marching Band Color Guard at Apache Junction High School, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive in Apache Junction.

The color guard placed first in one competition and won a bronze medal — third place — at the State Championships the following week.

The latter competition was the Winterguard Arizona Championship held at Millenium High School in Goodyear. Approximately 60 groups competed in the event. The AJHS Color Guard competed against six groups in its division.

The Prospector’s troupe consisted of Hayleah Wilson, Trinity Bush, McKenzee Hermann, Haila Rippey, Ragan Stoltz and Violet Leath.

Color guard is the main visual part of the marching band. However, in the winter, after marching band ends, color-guard groups get together to compete and continue working on their skills. A video of the performance can be viewed at youtu.be/FYlLlmlgfl4.

In addition to the discipline and training, color-guard participants benefit from expanding their knowledge of dance, enjoy improved social connections and learn to work and move in a group.

“I love watching the students and their growth,” said Karl Hermann, band director at AJHS. “This has been a very tough few years for kids, and it is so important to see them involved in a positive activity.”

The process of competing and working together proved to be a memorable experience for the high school group

“It meant a lot because it was my last year, and getting a medal was so amazing,” said McKenzee Herman, a senior at AJHS. “Our team worked so hard, we became so close through this. It was a blast.”

AJHS emphasizes a well-rounded education where academics, sports and extracurricular activities allow students to grow scholastically, physically and emotionally. AJHS graduates have access to more scholarships per student than in most communities in the Valley and qualifying students have access to Promise for the Future to earn a tuition-free education at Central Arizona College.

Registration for all new students who wish to enroll in Apache Junction Unified School District schools are being accepted at all school locations. For information about AJUSD or its schools or departments visit ajusd.org.