Being a strong leader requires a determined mindset and a positive attitude.
Seniors Ava Mattei and Sienna Helmer are co-captains of the Cal High color guard, and have proved to be dedicated and inspiring leaders.
Since freshman year, both Mattei and Helmer have been members of the color guard team, which performs choreographed routines using equipment such as flags or rifles.
Mattei said she’s improved immensely since her freshman year, noting that years of dedication and practice have helped shape her into the leader she is today.
“There really isn’t anything that would prepare you for [color] guard,” Mattei said. “It’s a very big learning curve, and you just need to push through it because practice makes perfect.”
Helmer said she hopes to share the experience with the new members of the color guard because her four years in the program have brought her so much joy.
“It’s so much fun,” Helmer said. “It’s such an amazing experience and you don’t have to know anything to join. I’ve met many people through color guard and it has been the highlight of my high school experience.”
Color guard has participated in many competitions and performed during many entertaining halftime shows during football games.
After being team members for three years, Mattei and Helmer proved themselves worthy of being co-captains this year. The position comes with numerous leadership responsibilities as it is important that the whole guard knows the routine.
Band director Robert Grigas helps supervise practices and makes sure everything gets done. He quickly noticed the co-captains encouraged everyone to be the best they could be and grew very strong as leaders.
“They worked really well last semester during the season,” Grigas said.
Their partnership leads to an eager and welcoming environment for the color guard.
Sophomore Aliyah Latheef has been part of color guard for two years and has seen firsthand how Mattei is able to find a balance between keeping everyone on task while also building personal relationships with all the members.
“She’s really good at leading everyone through the choreography and leading everyone through the routines,” Latheef said. “She’s also super encouraging and keeps everyone on task.”
Individually, Mattei and Helmer are described as hard workers and true leaders, so their partnership is strong and team members appreciate them for their uplifting attitudes.
Junior Naomi Parsons appreciates Helmer for her kind and encouraging spirit.
“[She] takes her role seriously and always tries to hear us out and is accommodating,” Parsons said. “I could see [her] going really far after high school.”
By sharing their responsibilities, Mattei and Helmer are more efficient in what they do.
“It can be very overwhelming trying to manage everything on your own,” Mattei said, “so having another person that you can collaborate with makes life a whole lot easier.”
The captains share ideas and brainstorm together what activities are most fun and beneficial for the team and for their improvement individually.
“She’s my go to person for everything guard,” Helmer said. “I think we trust each other enough to the point that we work off each other really well.”
Having two captains was also beneficial to the team because that meant more people could help or notice when someone was struggling with a routine.
“They helped all the new members, [and] it was a pretty large group this year,” Grigas said. “Sienna would work with one group and Ava with the other, so they were able to split their responsibilities pretty evenly.”
Mattei tries to make sure everyone on the team is comfortable and involved.
“If I notice someone feeling discouraged, I just go up and talk to them to see if they have anything going on and really try to connect with the person,” Mattei said.
Mattei said she prioritizes making sure everyone enjoys their experience as much as she does and she strives to spread her love for the sport with as many people as she can.
“My favorite part about color guard is the people I [meet],” Mattei said. “I’ve met so many different people that I probably wouldn’t have before and I have lifelong friends now because of guard.”
By being captains, they’ve acquired important life skills that’ll follow them throughout their lives.
“Guard has truly changed my life for the better,” Helmer said. “I’ve learned so much about being a leader and making a difference in my community.”
Grigas said his captains remind students they have a responsibility to the color guard while keeping it fun.
“They show their passion and they try to lead by example,” Grigas said.
Staff writer Luc Nolthenius contributed to this story.