Joanna Boss

Name: Joanna Catherine Boss

Grade: 11th

Future college: (Hopefully) Georgia Tech/MIT

Future Job: Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer

Years in Red Rhythm: 2

Wingspan: Why did you decide to Red Rhythm?

Boss: “I was in dance 1 my freshman year and learned about the team through Ms. Nothe, my dance instructor at the time. I thought joining Red Rhythm would be a good way to get involved, find new friends, and have a good time dancing.”

Wingspan: What’s it like being in Red Rhythm?

Boss: “It takes up a lot of time! We have 6:15 AM practices twice a week, after-school practice until 6:30/6:45 once a week, class every A day, and typically a football or basketball game every friday. We spend lots of time together and have a very devoted group of girls. We can rack up over 15 hours a week of drill team, but the long hours make a truly amazing performance.”

Wingspan: What’s been your favorite memory?

Boss: “My favorite memory with the drill team was from the 2021-2022 football season where Liberty beat Lovejoy on live ESPN. It was the most exciting and nerve racking game I have been to. The stadium had extra-dramatic flashing lights and videos and were bragging about how unbeatable they were and it was so exciting to win especially considering how close of a game it was and that the winning point was scored with less than 30 seconds on the clock, and a game-sealing interception was scored in the endzone in the last 20 seconds.”

Wingspan: How do you prepare for a show?

Boss: “Getting dressed and ready for any show or game takes at least an hour total, from hair and makeup to wrangling tights and getting your costume on it takes a lot of time and preparation. Most often, I do my makeup the morning of the performance, do my hair during advisory or lunch, then worry about only my uniform/costume before role call. The we learn the dances weeks or months ahead, especially in football season. In football season we learn 3-5 dances, stand routines, victory lines, and the fight song dance in the summer and just polish and practice in the school year (most of the time).”

Wingspan: What is something you have learned from being in Red Rhythm?

Boss: “Anyone in Red Rhythm needs to learn time management quickly to stay afloat. Between practices, performances, extra advisories, and outside practice it can be difficult to keep up with school, dance, work, and anything else. As an officer I have also had to learn how to have professional relationships with people on and off the drill team.”

Wingspan: How has it affected your life?

Boss: “I have learned how to maintain professional relationships with people and manage myself better.”

Wingspan: How is it balancing Red Rhythm, school, and any other extracurriculars?

Boss: “Balancing Red Rhythm with everything else in my life can sometimes be quite the challenge, especially on Performance weeks. It certainly seems I have no extra time with all that I need to do and working around the drill team schedule, but I prefer to be busy rather than bored.”

Wingspan: What’s the biggest challenge?

Boss: “Keeping up with schoolwork and Red Rhythm without falling behind is the biggest challenge, and it’s a constant battle. I am pursuing the Engineering Pathway at the CTE center and coordination practices with off-campus classes is also a difficult balance.”

Wingspan: What is your advice to anyone who aspires to be in Red Rhythm?

Boss: “Enroll in a drill team prep class as soon as possible. Having the skills needed for the team will help you be prepared for tryouts and will make your learning curve a little easier to manage.”