The Collector Store

Spinning Her Way Through High School [Photo Story]

Credit to Amanda Eckhard
Arata stands in a huddle with the rest of the guard as they prepare themselves for their performance. The team always huddles before each performance to take a deep breath. The girls practice by the entrance to the field before half time to squeeze in a little more practice time.

By Amanda Eckhard

Senior Lauren Arata has been doing color guard for the past four years for Francis Howell North. As a senior she taken a leadership role, along with Elizabeth Jansen and Mackenzie Schlogl. This past summer Arata marched in the Drum Corps with the Colts. She left early from school on May 17 and returned home on August 8.

“We’re gone all summer and we’re traveling the country, and all we do, all day every day is band and guard,” Arata said. Arata began during color guard her freshman year. Her mom is a coach at Eureka High School and her sister performed on the color guard there as well. Her sister now spins for Pride at Missouri State University. “I have a lot of people in my family that do color guard,” Arata said.