By Rick Dandes
NORTHUBMERLAND — The mere thought of performing in front of thousands of spectators is enough to drive many teenagers away from participating in such public activities, and yet for others, like Jennifer Sulouff, 16, a junior at Shikellamy High School, it’s one of the reasons she enjoys being in her school’s color guard.
The color guard is a group of girls, and occasionally some guys, who make the marching band far more interesting by dancing and twirling flags, batons and sometimes the odd prop or two before a game. They add a punch of color and fun to a marching band’s field show.
“Actually, performing before crowds is what I enjoy most about being in the color guard,” Sulouff said. “It isn’t something that makes me nervous at all. I like the thrill or rush it provides, or whatever you want to call it.”
Sulouff first got interested in joining Shikellamy’s 13-member color guard three years ago.
“I got into this because my brother Bobby was in the color guard for two years,” she said. “He was also a captain for a year. I thought what he was doing was pretty neat. I enjoyed watching my brother. He seemed to enjoy doing it, so I thought I might as well try it.”
She didn’t realize, at first, how much hard work it would entail. Being in the guard is a test of physical strength and agility.
“While other kids are on summer break, we start practicing for the fall season in late June or early July and go into early November. Competitions don’t start until September, with lots of practices in between. Even once the season starts, you spend most of your free time practicing,” she said.
It’s also about coming together with other people who love being in the color guard as much as you do.
Once the football season starts, the color guard accompanies the team to all its games.
“We perform out on the field except when the weather is inclement,” she said. “Then we do our performing from the stands. We got a break during the playoffs. The bands don’t actually perform during the playoffs.”
With the season over after the Friday night Shikellamy-Selinsgrove playoff game, Sulouff is turning to other interests. As a student, Sulouff likes the sciences and art. She struggles a little with mathematics, she confessed.
Sulouff hopes to attend college and perhaps continue her career with a color guard.
“I know there will be more competition, but I enjoy it so much.”
