You May Take The Floor For Competition...

Throughout the world, winterguard is in full swing. All the songs have been played. All the shows have been seen. Costumes and make-up have been revealed. The first scores of the year have already been posted and compared. The first judge's tapes have been listened to (and most times, yelled or cursed at). The first questions of "what if we?", "can we?", "is it enough?" and "do you think?" have been asked. The first rumors have been started (and also believed). The first series of rankings have been guessed at. There is a flurry of excitement as the journey towards championships, be it at "Debbie" or the local circuit, is in full steam ahead.

This weekend, in Orlando, Florida, 44 programs are preparing for the WGI Regional at Cypress Creek High School.

"You may take the floor for competition."

These simple words create a catch phrase that can only be compared to such great legends as "Let's get ready to RUMBLE!", "Are you ready for some football?!", "Quiet on the green", “Are you ready to party?”, “Who’s having a good time?” and "Happy Hunger Games. May the Odds be ever in your favor."

For a first time performer, upon hearing those words, fear creeps up your spine and tingles in your fingers. Your breath catches in your throat and doubt can nag at you. Everything goes blank, for not everyone is a born performer, comfy on a stage. Most of us started out as dazed and confused freshmen fearful of failing, dropping, or worse, not throwing the final toss, especially at a major show. The music begins and your mind goes numb. When the show is over, you look up in the stands and wonder what happened those last 5-7 minutes, because you can’t remember them. Bits and pieces blur in and out like a dream you just woke from, that you strive to remember but just can’t. You look up at the audience and your staff in the stands for confirmation of how well you did.

For the seasoned veteran, upon hearing these words, there is nothing like walking out on to the floor and seeing the faces of the crowd. The hype of the cheers can be likened to a rock star stepping on the stage, mind blowing and ego boosting. The audience is screaming your name and waving their hands wildly. The blur of voices and people are a symphony of sound all there to watch your every move, to judge your every catch position, to credit and critique you. There is a confidence and an excitement that butterflies all over and inside you, but charges you like a bolt of lightening. The rush of excitement , that adrenaline, feds a part of your soul that is thirsty - desperate to succeed, to be remembered, to be amazing. It’s hungry for approval. It’s joy in its purest form. The feeling is the most natural high an athlete/performer can achieve.

For the “Golden Oldies” performers, upon hearing these words, it could feel bland, numb. You have done this sport for so long that the flame is gone, but you can’t seem to hang up your sabre gloves for the fear of a boring, normal life. No trick is hard anymore. No feature seems new. It’s just another routine in another routine season of your routine life that sits in your routine weekend. But…A life without the makeup and costumes, without crowds and cheers is unthinkable. You know what happens next. No one cheers you when you cut the grass, pay the bills, buy groceries, or put gas in your car. It might not seem like much now, just another show, but you know full well that when it is gone, there will be an emptiness. So, you take the floor with a smile on your face.

"You may take the floor for competition."

For family and friends who have never spent time on the floor and in the gym, upon hearing those words, there is a moment of apprehension. They judge and critique time and money spent. Who came up with this sport of the arts anyways? Who ever thought it would be fun to through 6ft. poles with 3 ft silks attached into the air? Who ever thought “This could be fun! Let’s throw lawn mover blades and 2x4s into the air and try to catch it pretty”? Is this show going to be good? Am I wasting my time here? I hope my child is awesome. I hope this team drops all over the place so my group does better. How many groups are left? OMG -What is she/he wearing? Can I do this too? Look at those amazing dancers move over there. LOOK! She totally dropped right there; she going to drop again. Let‘s watch her. I love that show. I hate that show. What are those staff members thinking? What innovation! What idiots! I’m hungry. This is such a hot-dog guard. I wanna wear that uniform for Halloween! OOH! They are so in sync! Oh, Girl! They are such a hot mess.

For those who knew their time was over and are now just watching in the stands, upon hearing these words, there is a smile that crosses the face. Similar to a movie reel, memories pass and flicker in 3D IMAX on the mind. Memories of season past play snippets of glory and of failure. These are the best of times. These are the worst of times. And they are grateful to be sitting in the stands and not sweating at rehearsals and trying to apply fake lashes 5 minutes before rotation. They are grateful that they can eat that hamburger and fries and not worry about wearing that white spandex body suit that staff member thought was the best idea ever. They are grateful to reflect of their experiences and enjoy watching others earn their memories.

For those whose time was up before they wanted and are stands bound, upon hearing those words, there is a hint of bitterness and regret. In their minds, they replay the reasons why: why they are sitting there, what caused this turn of events, if they could turn back time? If they could find a way? Do things really happen for a reason? Or does life just sucks that way… For a few, there is a small pick-ax that chips away at the ‘Hope’ of one day, for just one more season, they could make that comeback. They have one more season left in them. They could do that feature better than she can. Then there is doubt - They could never do that show. Guard has changed so much since they marched. They wonder what if… For the rest, its just another show. It’s a chance to judge programs better than the judges do. To say things judges wont dare say on tapes but we all know they want to. It’s their chance to be loud and proud and direct…so, here’s a hint, it better be entertaining or you know it will slaughtered all over Facebook.

"You may take the floor for competition."

For all of the above, upon hearing those words, we lift our heads just a little higher with anticipation. There is the small flutter of excitement that runs through us. Memories are made with every moment of our lives. Make them FABULOUS.

Paradigm wishes everyone good luck this and every weekend. Make amazing picture moments. May you make these memories count and no matter which caption you fall into, please remember…it takes a strong person to step in front of a crowd to be judged by a room full of strangers. 



So, even as I hear the alarm clock ring in the morning, and I stretch my arms over my head, I hear these words at the start of my day…. I hope you do too.

"You may take the floor for competition."