Fenton Highs color guards have played a big role in the Fenton marching band. They create a visual and artistic interpretation that brings the marching band’s music to life. Through precise movement and expressive choreography, they transform each performance into an engaging story on the field. The Fenton High marching band consists of 11 dedicated cadets: Seniors Mark Allemon, Abigail Brown, Faith Hamilton and Reese Kildee, juniors Kylah Chavez, Lillian Miller, Vinny Fingerle, Colleen Salim and Norah Stickle and sophomore Ava Holmes.
In all their years of participating in the band, they also provide an emphasis on the teamwork that they contribute to marching competitions, parades like Jingle Fest and more. The band has also had the honor of performing the national anthem at Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers game on Sept. 16, according to Tri-County Times. The marching band has achieved high scores over the years, and as of 2025, they achieved scores of 75.85 and 76.20.
Junior Colleen Salim expressed how she felt about being a color guard for the marching band.
“I enjoy it a lot, I love doing dance and performing on the field with the band and my flag,” Salim said. “I was able to practice dance and flag more, and I learned a lot of new skills and flag tosses.”
Junior Vinny Fingerle also spoke about his three-year time as a color guard.
“I think being in color guard is a way for me to be able to partake in some kind of performing art without the necessary years of experience and the harsh and extreme demands that other arts may include. It does have its rough areas, especially with the outdoor heat and extreme hours in May through August, alongside the pressure of competing at a state level and performing in front of a large audience may have for a select group of individuals,” Fingerle said. “I enjoy colour guard for the ability to keep myself busy with something I enjoy, and being able to do those with people I enjoy being around. The environment is one of the most positive and least toxic I’ve been in throughout the various sports I’ve participated in throughout the years.”
Fingerle also mentioned his accomplishment of his first time participating in the Michigan Competing Band Association (MCBA) while being in color guard.
“One of the most significant accomplishments I’ve made throughout my three years in colour guard was our first-time participation in the MCBA State Finals on Nov. 1,” Fingerle said. “We may not have placed well, but it was our band’s first year in MCBA-level competition, of which many bands do not reach their first time in.”
The Fenton color guards exemplify the spirit of teamwork and creativity that defines their dedication to their role in the marching band. Color guards have been important to the band’s performance for several decades; still to this day, their commitment and creativity are admirable and essential for bringing the band’s music to life.
