Practice Makes Perfect!

   When one hears the word “flag”, what does your mind envision? Many may envision the red, white, and blue flag that symbolizes America’s freedom.  Others may envision the world renowned, black and white checkered race flag, that symbolizes the start of one of the greatest sports known to man.  When I envision a flag, my mind drifts to the thoughts of the vibrant, array of color flags being twirled and tossed about in the clear, crisp,autumn night sky on the green, dew-covered turf on a Friday night in Jonesville, Virginia. However, before Friday night shows are possible, many steps of preparation are needed for this art to be displayed.

    The first step in guaranteeing a successful band show is selecting the best candidates from the tryouts. However, before the potential candidates are ready for tryouts they must be taught in the art of flagging. I remember back to my freshman year when I could not wait to learn how to twirl a flag. My cousin, Emily, offered to coach me before we started open gym at Lee High. I could not wait to set sail on my journey of learning how to twirl. Every Saturday morning I would walk down the dusty, gravel road that lead to Emily’s house for my lessons. After several lessons with her, I felt as though I was prepared to excel in anything when it came to twirling. Little did I know, that along with preparing a routine, I would be required to successfully catch three daring tosses.

     Going into open gym I felt so confident, but the news about the tosses tore my high confidence level down to ground zero. The only solution was to simply practice every opportunity I had. The tosses were all hard but the “helicopter” was nearly impossible. To successfully catch this daring toss you must start by placing the flag behind you and then throw it up to the heavens above. The main incentive in the beginning is to keep from breaking your nose. However, the flag showed no mercy on dear Miss Rachel. She was trying so hard to catch her toss, when out of nowhere, came a sudden gust of howling wind which caught the flag and dropped it right on the bull’s eye,  her nose. Thankfully she was okay,but the flag did not leave her unscaved.

       After faithfully enduring all of the countless practices, it was finally time to put my new twirling skills in motion. Moments before going in to see the judges I was a nervous wreck! The only hope I had was that the hours of practicing were going to pay off. Thankfully, that was the case in my tryouts because I successfully caught the “helicopter” toss. The answer I needed was finally posted on the dull, grey, metal band room door. I MADE IT! Step one has now been accomplished. (479)