Dear Co-Captain,

I just wanted to thank you. Short, sweet, and to the point. I just wanted to say how grateful I am to have you as my partner in this crazy wonderful adventure we call color guard.

From the 1st time I ever saw the West Georgia band perform, in October of 2014, I knew this is where I belonged. I also knew that I wanted to work my way up to captain. From the get go that was my goal. Initially, at that time, I did not even think about having a co-captain, I just thought hey this is what I want to do.

Then, once college actually started, and we began our first season here at UWG, my plans started to change a little. Once our little friend group began getting closer, it was clear that we all had a very strong passion in color guard. Some moved on to bigger and better teams, some moved on period but always kept the memories in their hearts, but you and I? We stayed put. We knew that this school and this team is where we belonged and this is exactly where we are meant to be.

So, we began talking and planning to continue to make things bigger and better, and in my opinion, I think we have done just that.

Going into auditions for leadership, I know that we were all nervous, but somewhere in the back of my mind I felt that I knew how it was going to play out, and I was right! From that point pretty much as soon as we got the good news (which we were together to receive it by the way) we began planning and planning. So much planning.

As we have seen and learned, things do not always go as planned, and that really sucks but it is really okay. Why? Because I know when something I plan doesn't go how I want it I have you to help pick me up and get back on track, and you have that in me, always.

I could not be more proud of our team, our instructor, our band director, all of the leadership, and of course us. We have worked hard for this honor and I know we will continue to work hard. We may not always get every move perfect but one thing we have in common is we will never give up.

I was thinking about next season the other day. If we get this honor again then that is wonderful, but if not then we will pass down the torch to a pair of folks that are equally as passionate about it.

I know this season is going to be wonderful and I can't wait to continue this journey with you. Our team, our season.

Love Always,

Hannah P Barnett