Color guard’s coach returns

Color Guard finally receives a coach after being without one for a full season

Chloe Walchesky

Sophomore Anastazia Weir at color guard practice at the beginning of the season, learning a new move without a coach.

Natalie Deardoff, Sports Editor
March 28, 2021

North Platte High’s Color Guard received their new coach, Shannon Hudson, a few months after a difficult season without one.

Brittani Daley and Anastazia Weir practicing for color guard at the beginning of the season. (Chloe Walchesky)

Hudson was the coach of the team before COVID-19 hit. She was let go during Covid for holding auditions for color guard in her driveway., and the fact that nobody knew when school and it’s activities would be starting up again. Now she has been hired back to coach the Color Guard team once again. “I have missed so many things about Color Guard, even the things people would think I’m crazy for missing, but first and foremost: all of my students, the staff, and the families,” Hudson said.

The team is also thrilled to be getting their old coach back. They enjoyed her in the years before and are ready to work with her again. “It’s been a very long ride since the whole season, it’s been just us so it’s great to have an actual coach,” sophomore Anastazia Weir said. “Especially since we got our old coach back.”

Color Guard had a rough season trying to perform at games and competitions coachless. “I am very, very happy about seeing her come back,” junior Brittani Daley said, “We don’t have to struggle as much as we did last year.”

Color Guard plans to have a few new costumes and “flags” to use in their competitions, and they hope to do well with the help and guidance of Hudson. “There will be a number of new things to be seen out on the field not only for the students, but for me as well. It will be so challenging and fun for the entire Color Guard/Band,” Hudson said. “I can’t wait to see my kids face the season head-on.” 

Not being able to coach the team has taken its toll on Hudson. She enjoyed coaching the team and can’t wait to start again. “I want to be able to continue to strengthen the team in skill, size, and teamwork,” Hudson said. “The unity of a Marching Band family is the greatest gift I could ask for, and the greatest thing I could pass on to each and every student.”