EHS Winter Guard Ranks No. 9 and Heads to Nationals

WATCH

The Edwardsville High School Winter Guard is making history. Last weekend, they became the program’s first Scholastic A Champions. But their season isn’t over yet. This weekend, they head to Dayton, Ohio, to compete on the national stage—with a chance to make finals for the first time in school history.

“I think the moment I thought they were going to be very success this year was really early in December,” said Brady Eaton, director. “They kind of changed mindsets. They said you know what, our rehearsal starts at 6, I can be here at 5:30. I can start working on things. And they have put themselves in an environment of I want to be good, I will be good, and I am going to put the work in to do so.”

That work has paid off. Week after week, they’ve improved, climbing higher in the rankings—now sitting at No. 9 in the nation—and building confidence along the way.

“Compared to past years there has been a lot more practicing outside of practice time, and coming early,” said junior Serena Caldarola. “And I feel like everyone on this team takes it seriously and is really trying to actually do well and take corrections, which I feel like we haven’t had a lot of in recent years.”

With each competition, the team has grown stronger—both in skill and in connection.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and many hours of practice,” said senior Reagan Siron. “Our staff has been pushing us, making sure we are getting better, while also building confidence in us and creating a great mindset of the team. I feel like we are closer than ever before, and I feel like it shows on the floor.”

That mindset has helped them achieve something no EHS Winter Guard team has before.

“In the last eight years, we have managed many silver medals and many bronze medals. But we’ve never gotten that gold,” Eaton said. “This is the year they were like we’re not giving up, it’s going to be ours and that’s what has been driving them all season.”

This year’s show, Among the Fireflies, tells a story that resonates deeply with the team. It’s representative of burnout… something we all experience in life.

“This show is really special to a lot of us because it connects with us more than a lot of the other shows we’ve had so far because everyone here has experienced burnout in some way because of our rigorous practice schedule,” said Caldarola.

But through that struggle, they’ve built something even stronger. 

“We know how to play to each other strengths. We know how keep each other away from our weaknesses and we are a family. We build each other up and keep each other in the game,” said Siron.

EHS Winter Guard. A championship team – ready to shine on the biggest stage this weekend.