I began working with the Eastern Hancock High School Color Guard during the 2023 winter season. The Guard Director, Tori Angel—a dear friend and highly respected educator—assumed leadership of the program in the summer of 2022. Eastern Hancock is a single‑building K–12 school located approximately 40 minutes east of downtown Indianapolis, with just 375 students at the high school level. While the school’s size and limited resources present consistent challenges, we are incredibly proud of what this program has accomplished through intentional leadership and collaboration. Prior to Tori taking over the program, the guard had only three performers. By the 2026 season, the winter guard had grown to 20 performing members—an achievement we celebrate deeply given the school’s size and demographics.

Since 2023, Tori and I have jointly led all aspects of the color guard program. I have traditionally overseen show design, visual development, and staging, while Tori leads technique instruction, student development, and program logistics. We collaborate on choreography and partner with some assistance from our arts department for sets, props, and costuming. Despite limited resources, we focus on delivering consistent, high‑quality performance experiences that challenge and support students artistically and technically.

During the 2026 season, as Tori welcomed a new addition to her family, we brought in Stacey Roose to assist with show design and staging. This allowed me to manage the remaining operational and instruction. This allowed me to assume responsibility for the remaining operational and instructional aspects of the program during the first half of the season. Collaborating with another accomplished designer strengthened the program’s creative framework and supported continued growth throughout the season.

While winter guard remained our primary focus, we also supported the program beyond the competitive season. We led the color guard through the Indiana State Fair Band season each July, and in 2025, we launched a Gameday Guard program emphasizing dance technique, performance quality, and school spirit, performing alongside the pep band at home football games.

Playing a key role in building this program from the ground up—alongside Tori—has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Watching the guard grow from three students to twenty performers reinforces the impact of intentional leadership, sustained collaboration, and a shared commitment to student growth.

Program Achievements

• Promotion from Scholastic Regional AA to Scholastic Regional A (2023)

• First WGI Regional appearance, placing 4th out of 7 in Scholastic Regional A (2024)

• 3rd Place, Scholastic Regional A – MEPA Nutter Center Contest (2024)

• Top 10 finish in Scholastic Regional A at the 2025 MEPA Championships

• Bronze Medal, Scholastic Regional A Hagen Division – 2026 IHSCGA State Championships