The Fort Walton Beach High School Color Guard entered the 2025 winter season facing a rebuild. Eight seniors had graduated, there was no JV team, and freshmen were stepping directly into varsity roles.
- The group answered by going undefeated.
The Vikings’ winter guard won first place at every Gulf Coast Color Guard and Percussion Circuit show this season and captured the gold medal at circuit championships. The team also earned second-place finishes at two Winter Guard International regional competitions, where they competed against 25 to 40 teams from multiple states in events that include preliminary and finals rounds.
“Something the staff learned from this team is to never underestimate your students and what hard work and passion can bring,” said Jamie Fields, who has directed the color guard and winter guard program for 13 years.
This season’s show, “A Cloak of Scarlet,” was a creative interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood designed by Conner Adams, a Crestview High School color guard alumnus who now works with winter guard programs across Texas. The team spent December and January building choreography, staging and performance quality before opening a competition schedule that ran from February through the end of March.
Fields said the staff’s approach was straightforward heading into the season.
- “We can’t control what other teams bring to the floor,” she said, adding that the program focused on its own progress rather than the competition.
The team was led this season by captains Tristin Blackman, a senior; TaMia West, a senior; and Sheridan Pierce, a junior.
Fields credited the program’s staff with helping elevate the group. Tyana Jordan, a Fort Walton Beach High School alumna who joined the staff during the 2020-2021 season, specializes in dance and movement. Kristine Neal, also a program alumna who has marched with the Mandarins and Blue Devils drum corps, joined during the 2022-2023 season and focuses on equipment technique.
Band Director Derek Fields has supported the winter guard program in a region where few high schools offer one, allowing students to train and compete year-round.
Jamie Fields began marching at age 12 and spent a decade in winter guard and drum corps, including time with Dutch Boy Drum Corps, Ventures Winter Guard and The Cadets Drum Corps. She taught in Canada before moving to Florida, where she has also worked with Liza Jackson and Choctawhatchee High School programs.
Looking ahead: clinics open for 2026-2027 season
The program is now recruiting for its 2026-2027 field and winter guard season. Clinics are open to all incoming ninth- through 12th-graders, and no experience is required.
- Clinic dates are Tuesday, April 28, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, April 29, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; and Monday, May 15, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. All sessions will be held in the multi-purpose gym. Participants should bring water and wear running shoes and fitness attire.
An information packet will be provided at the clinics. For more information, email fwbhscolorguard@gmail.com or visit the program’s Instagram page at fwbhs_colorguard.
