It may seem like it’s just throwing flags and rifles in the air, but it’s much more than that. Ares Peralta, the captain of the color guard team at Pennridge, has been doing guard for three years. He started as a freshman and is still continuing as a junior. He is very passionate about color guard and hopes to continue color guard after high school going into college. “I love it, it’s honestly one of my favorite things to do.” His first year in color guard, he got second place in championships. While he competes, he explains how it can be so nervewracking. “In guard we usually say if you’re not nervous, you’re not ready.” Not only does he love guard, but he loves the environment within it. “We’re all like a big family…it gets a little tense, but you learn to love each other,” Ares explained. He likes being able to perform and act and push himself out of his comfort zone especially when it comes to competing.
Rebe Willams, a color guard coach of 55 years for Pennridge, loves the effort and hard work she sees Ares put into color guard. She enjoys coaching guard because she likes to watch her kids grow and learn while enjoying it. “Ares is a leader, he’s a good performer…always gives 100%. Always,” Williams says. Watching Ares grow and improve has been one of her favorite things. She knows he wants to continue doing color guard after high school and is happy he has found his comfort zone in doing it and has such a passion for it to continue. “He always has a smile, very outgoing and friendly to everyone, even to kids,” she continues, “Ares is a good kid.” Rebe says that Ares is always positive and never complains. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Ares get upset.” Over the years of improving and critiquing, he has learned to perform and now seems natural indoors and outdoors. Rebe loves seeing his facial expressions when performing and the way he handles the equipment. “He’s 100% a leader of this team.”
As a captain of the team, it is important that he works hard so his teammates can learn from him. Bella Stanish, a friend and teammate on color guard, says that he gives good critique. Not just to her, but to everyone. He never makes it come off harsh, but instead he wants to teach his team to become better and improve in any way he can to perform better as a team. Bella explains how Ares is a good sport when it comes to guard. “He’s hard working and passionate about color guard…he cares about everyone in it.” Stanish loves having Ares as a teammate because he is a great teacher. One thing she has learned from him is to be more patient with people. When teaching skills and having to learn them, he gives them time to work on them to get that skill down so they can be perfect for performing and competitions. Bella really thinks that is an amazing thing he does because a new skill doesn’t come naturally. It takes time to learn and he gives them all the time they need. Having that patience is really a gift when it comes to color guard. Bella also explains how even off the field of color guard Ares is practically the same. He shows hard work in everything he does.
“Ive always wanted something active, but I’ve never been into sports so it helps me be active, and it’s something I’m really passionate about,” Ares says. As much as he likes to throw flags and spin rifles in the air, he also likes the people he is surrounded by. Being a captain brings everyone together. He is really important to this group to teach everyone new skills and help them become better and help support each other. As he said, it’s like a big family to be in guard. It brings the team together and makes them become closer and become better teammates. They aren’t just team members or even friends. They are a part of one big family.
