The Redhawk marching band has begun competition season with their new show “Bubbly.” Many students anticipate this fall’s performances to showcase what they were able to work on over the summer.
Isabelle Raade
Name: Isabelle Raade
Grade: junior
Future College: unsure
Future Job: unsure
Years in Color Guard: 3
Years Dancing: 14
Wingspan: What got you started on dancing?
Raade: ¨Well my mom signed me up for dancing when I was younger and I had at first hated it, mostly because I didn’t choose it. I ended up really liking it later though.¨
Wingspan: Do you enjoy color guard?
Raade: ¨I love color guard. It has helped me grow as a person and helped me create better habits for myself and overall is just fun.¨
Wingspan: Was there a certain moment you went through that made you know you were going to love dance?
Raade: ¨Probably my first competition, I had worked so hard and with different skills. I just realized how much I loved color guard and the people in it.¨
Wingspan: Do you do any other dance activities outside of school?
Isabelle: ¨Not anymore unfortunately. I used to when I was younger but for now it’s just color guard in school.¨
Wingspan: How would you describe yourself?
Raade: ¨I would honestly say I am a really outgoing person. I am the extrovert and the social butterfly that tries to get to know everyone.¨
Wingspan: And how does that trait help you with things like dance?
Raade: ¨It helps me connect to my peers and establish friend groups when there are none. I’m able to get along really well with everyone in color guard too. I remember I was the exact same way in dance class when I was a kid as well.¨
Wingspan: You have talked a lot about friends and peers. Would you say that is your favorite part of color guard or are there other aspects?
Raade: ¨That is one of my favorite parts, but honestly I love the exercise and how it has helped me regulate emotions and friendships and just given me something to look forward to. There are so many positive things about color guard and just dance in general!¨
Wingspan: After hearing that, what has been something that color guard has helped you the most with?
Raade: ¨Oh gosh, I would say establishing relationships. Friends are a big part of my life as previously mentioned and I wouldn’t know where I’d be without them. I love the dance community and its people. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done to encourage me.¨
Wingspan: That sounds nice, do you have any advice for someone trying to join color guard?
Raade: ¨I’d say just try your best and even if you fail, try try again. There is nothing more important than to stay positive and have people who support you in dance. If you can do that then you can definitely throw a flag and spin it a couple times. There’s more that goes into it but make you try your hardest.¨