Colorguard is an activity that does much more than act as a form of exercise. Within my years of being a part of this sport, I have learned so much about myself and about interacting with people around me. Here are some of the lessons I take from colorguard everyday.

1. Working as a team is the most rewarding way to overcome challenges.

Easily the best part of being in colorguard is getting to practice and perform with some of the greatest people you will ever meet. To this day, I am so grateful to be performing alongside people that I have watched and admired throughout my colorguard career. Working as a team with these people allows us to accomplish things we never thought were possible, and transcend challenges that we may face.

2. Being confident in yourself is one of the most important things you should do in your life.

While being in colorguard, I learned how important it is to feel confident and comfortable in my own body. This activity helped me discover that once I believed in myself, I was able to accomplish so many new things. Now I've been able to take this confidence outside of colorguard, where I feel much more secure in myself in everyday life.

3. Dedicating your time and energy to something will pay off at the end result.

While 12 hour practices and two show weekends may seem daunting, in the end, all of the pain and tears are worth it. The struggles that you endure during the season pave the way for an incredible final product, and the more you put into the program, the greater the results will be.

4. Never be afraid to try something new in order to better yourself.

In all honesty, colorguard can sometimes be scary. Learning new tricks, or testing the limits of your body can definitely be an intimidating task. The only way to overcome these fears is by trying your hardest and trusting yourself.

5. The more you set your mind to something, the more likely you will be to succeed.

I've learned that if something is challenging to me, giving up is the worst option. The more difficult something is the harder you should work to get better at it. Saying you can't do something will be the biggest reason that you cannot. Set a goal, work for it, and you will be successful in the end.

6. At the end of the day, your team becomes your family, and the activity becomes your passion.

In reality, everybody retires from colorguard at one point or another. After passing through such a challenging activity, your mindset as a person can change. The people you spend your weekends with become the people who you'll miss the most, and the days that you are sitting in the stands instead of performing become the hardest ones. Never take for granted the things you're given or the people around you, because often times, they will impact you the most.