The Silverados, Guyer’s dedicated drill team dancers, have been preparing their halftime performances for months, going through the process of learning and cleaning every dance before performing on the football field.
Their main job, other than improving and showing off their skills, is to be the mascot for Guyer’s spirit.
“We try to promote school spirit, uphold traditions, and foster personal growth, teamwork, and excellence in performance,” said director Rachel Simpson, who coordinates team operation and preparation.
Silvos start to prepare their routines in the summer at Crowd Pleasers Dance camp, spanning 4 days. They learn 8 new dances that will soon be performed for Guyer at football games and pep rallies. Once school starts, 5th block and after-school practices are dedicated to working on those dances, as well as Friday practices with the band and the occasional morning practice. When a performance is approaching, each girl must try out in order to dance in that performance.
“If you make the dance, you then have to go through lots of cleaning to perfect it,” said sophomore Ayla Lee, a rookie on the team. “We do every football performance twice, so the following week there will be another tryout for the same dance.”
For Guyer’s first two football games, the Silvos performed a pom routine to “Let It Whip”. Lauren Uddin, the assistant director of the team, is tasked with providing critiques and working with the alternates who didn’t make a dance one-on-one to ensure they make it next time.
“The girls looked great, the formations looked amazing, and the timing was awesome,” said Uddin about the halftime performance on Friday, Aug. 29.
Besides dancing at halftime and pep rallies, the Silvos conduct a spirit line which the players run through before the game, perform stand routines throughout the night and introduce themselves to the other team’s dancers.
“They’re dancing for the entire game. There’s never a moment where they’re not doing something,” said Uddin.
The dancers are held to high standards and must devote a great deal of time to their sport.
“Silvos don’t go a day without practicing,” said Lee. “It’s hard to memorize each dance perfectly, which is why practicing on your own time is very crucial.”
Like any team, the Silverados have several goals for the upcoming season. Besides the measurable goals, like trying to make everyone be able to perform each dance, they also set more abstract goals.
“We came up with the goal of turning our teammates into friends,” said Lee. “Because of how much we are around each other, it’s hard not to be friends with them. Another plus side to this goal is that it creates a comfortable and safe space, so we can truly grow and not be embarrassed in front of one another.”
There are many expectations the Silvos adhere to. For one, they have a specific dress code for each day of the week. They are also expected to always be on time and not miss a practice for anything less than an emergency, as well as say “yes ma’am” when speaking to people.
The commitment, both in time and in mind, can be taxing, which provides dancers with valuable lessons in time management and productivity.
“If you didn’t get much sleep the night before, you’d better be ready and have enough energy by the time practice rolls by to ensure each practice is a productive one,” said Lee.
After this year’s football season, the Silvos get to go on a well-deserved, week-long trip before their Spring Show at the end of the school year.
Tickets to the next football game in which the Silverados will be performing
Senior Captain – Azul Gamero; Senior Lieutenant – Laila Thompson; Senior Lieutenant – Kate Hawkins; Senior Lieutenant – Reagan Hayney; Junior Lieutenant – Kaia Brunett
