The Winter Guard team has been working harder than ever to prepare for the MCCGA (Mid-Continent Color Guard Association) championships in Springfield, MO. Their dedicated efforts paid off as the team brought home the gold in Scholastic AA and became the overall champions by taking first place at the event.

They also took first place in both their round and division at MCCGA’s O’Fallon Winter Guard Competition. 

“This is definitely the most hardworking team we’ve ever had,” coach Kassandra Welch said, who also mentioned that “the show is a fan favorite in our circuit.” 

The performance is titled “All the Lonely People.” The team has been working hard and practicing every Monday and Wednesday since November of 2021. 

“It is something new that people have never seen before,” senior captain Sydnie Shultis said. “Although it is a sad mournful show, the emotion and adrenaline that comes with forming is unmatched. Championships are what we have been working towards all season, to show off all our hard work and compete against other guards. This team has grown in so many ways, and overcome many obstacles. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and what will continue to happen in the future.”

As the results were being announced at the championship in Springfield, team members all stood in silence holding their breath as the judges called out twelfth through fourth place and they didn’t hear their name called. The announcer called out the third place winner then called out second place. At that moment, everyone knew who won.

The announcer called Wentzville Liberty High School as the gold medalist for the scholastic AA round 2. The entire gymnasium rang out in cheers as senior captain Sydnie Shultis walked up to receive the plaque. 

“Being a senior, I am definitely sad that this season is coming to an end, but I couldn’t ask for a better team to perform with at championships for the last time,” Shultis said. “Championships are what we have been working towards all season, to show off all our hard work and compete against other guards. This team has grown in so many ways, and overcome many obstacles. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and what will continue to happen in the future.”