Band, Cheerleaders, Stars Train Through Summer

by Audrey Urbis
Los Fresnos High School

The Los Fresnos High School Band, Color Guard, Stars Dance Team, and Cheerleading Squad have been practicing diligently throughout the summer. Members of each of these groups have experienced early mornings, profuse sweat, and the unrelenting heat – elements typically associated with the Falcon football- training regimen.

With practice beginning in May for the Stars dance team, early July for the cheerleading squad, and the late July for band, these students understand the importance of commitment.

For junior saxophone player Isac Ramirez, band is a time investment he is more than willing to make. Focused and determined, band members are certain of the result of such intense practice. “Band is very demanding and requires extensive time, education, and skill,” Ramirez said. “You know your hard work has paid off when you feel successful at what you’re doing.”

Color Guard member Anna Spier and her teammates have been on the practice area together with the band. “Band camp is where we learn to incorporate the routine of color guard into marching on the field. We’re representing our high school so we need to look the best we can.”

Jackeline Guerra, a junior Stars dance captain, knows that summer training is necessary to prepare for football season. Summer is a time when the team “works on technique, learns stand dances, and begins working on halftime performances. With all the support of our community and their applause on the football field, that’s what makes it all pay off in the end.”

Coordinating the large-scale logistics of the halftime production undoubtedly requires remarkable planning, cheerleader April Castillo said. “ It takes a lot of synchronization and counts. When the crowd gets pumped for us, we’ll know everything was worth it.”