The group I have always felt most included in throughout my life would have to be my high school Color Guard. Color Guard has always been the thing I turned to when I was angry, or just had a lot on my mind. To tell you about my Color Guard, I will first have to tell you a little about the city I grew up in. I grew up in the small town of Antlers, Oklahoma, where we had two stoplights, a small school, a Dollar General, and a small string of family-owned businesses and restaurants. This little town has never excelled at any sports or academics, but we have always had a reputation for having a great band and Color Guard. I never fully realized how big and truly life-changing this group was until I became a member of the Pride of Antlers Bearcat Marching Band and the Color Guard. Color Guard, despite the stereotypes, was not only a life-changing experience, but it also helped shape me into the person I am today by teaching me how to be a leader, what it feels like to be an artist, and even how working with a group of girls and truly being part of a team. Color Guard was born in the days of war, when the Color Guard were simply the people who carried the nation's flag and marched along with the drummers, who were there to keep the soldiers in step as they prepared for or went to war. Later, as marching band began to become more of a performance and was developing in schools, Color Guard became the art form of band. The Color Guard then started doing more dance-like moves, as well as more difficult, performance-like things with flags and rifles. Even the flags changed, they were no longer the emblem or colors of the nation, but they began to become... half the paper... of my life, and I will never forget the feeling of performing under those Friday night lights. These are, in my opinion, the most hard-working and disciplined group of girls you will find in a high school. These girls perform wind, rain or shine. Whether it's forty degrees or near zero outside, these girls always give their all at a show, and when the awards are announced at the end, it's totally worth it. Color Guard not only brought me closer to people, but it also taught me leadership skills and showed me what it means to be truly passionate about something. I recommend any girl trying to find herself to get involved in a group or organization like this. Works Cited Maxwell, John C. Brainy quotes. 2001. 29 October 2013.Startsterk.nl. http://www.karindewit.com/. 2013. October 29 2013.