Having claimed top honors at the Flams and Flags Indoor Drumline Competition, Pell City High School’s Winter Guard followed up with a first place showing at the Rhythm and Silk competition last weekend.

“This is really an awesome accomplishment, to make such a strong showing in their first competition in this higher class,” sponsor Callie Walls said.

The guard was promoted to a higher class due to its high score in the Flams and Flags competition, meaning that it now competes against larger Class 6A schools whose guard teams present more complex performances.

“It’s a rare thing to be promoted after a competition,” Walls said. “That usually only happens at the beginning of a season.  I’m extremely proud that the girls have come such a long way.”

At last weekend’s two-day competition at Independence High School in Thompsons Station, Tenn., the guard finished second on Saturday with a score of 70.4 and took first place on Sunday with a 71.2 score.  Performances are judged based on general effect and how well guard members work together as an ensemble, dance, and use flags, rifles, and other equipment.

The guard will present this year’s performance, “Footprints in the Sand,” again this weekend in competition at Hoover High School.  The three seniors, six juniors, and three sophomores have dedicated it to the memory of classmate Karly Meeks, who died last August.