Fall Color Guard Clinic Information - Date TBD
Join the 2025 Joliet West Color Guard!
Bring a friend and come try out a new skill! We will teach you all that you will need to know to have a successful experience in our two-day clinic. We are looking for new members that enjoy learning new skills, dancing, performing and music. No previous color guard or dance experience is required to join the color guard.
How do I join the team?
STEP ONE: Attend at least one clinic day. (Prospective weapons must attend both days)
STEP TWO: Complete the JWCG Membership Registration form.
STEP THREE: Practice and perform as a member of the Joliet West Color Guard!
Can't make it to the clinic or audition dates but still want to participate?
Contact us at [email protected]
Bring a friend and come try out a new skill! We will teach you all that you will need to know to have a successful experience in our two-day clinic. We are looking for new members that enjoy learning new skills, dancing, performing and music. No previous color guard or dance experience is required to join the color guard.
How do I join the team?
STEP ONE: Attend at least one clinic day. (Prospective weapons must attend both days)
STEP TWO: Complete the JWCG Membership Registration form.
STEP THREE: Practice and perform as a member of the Joliet West Color Guard!
Can't make it to the clinic or audition dates but still want to participate?
Contact us at [email protected]
Our Goal
At the Joliet West Color Guard, our goal is to create a dynamic and enriching environment that empowers students through education, performance and leadership. Driven by core values such as teamwork, self-expression and personal growth, we are dedicated to fostering a community where every member can thrive. We aim to inspire a lifelong love for learning, encourage artistic expression, and instill leadership skills necessary for success beyond the performance floor.
What is color guard?
Color guard is a performance ensemble that combines dance choreography with specialized equipment such as flags, mock rifles and sabers. Color guard is known as, “the sport of the arts,” and is primarily used to add visual artistry to marching band shows.
When does the color guard perform?
The Joliet West Color Guard are members of the Marching Tigers and perform at parades, home football games and marching band competitions.
Why should I join color guard?
So many reasons!
Color guard is a performance ensemble that combines dance choreography with specialized equipment such as flags, mock rifles and sabers. Color guard is known as, “the sport of the arts,” and is primarily used to add visual artistry to marching band shows.
When does the color guard perform?
The Joliet West Color Guard are members of the Marching Tigers and perform at parades, home football games and marching band competitions.
Why should I join color guard?
So many reasons!
- You’ll make friends - You get to meet lifelong friends of all ages. On the first day of high school, incoming freshmen will already know over 50 marching band members!
- It will make you physically fit - Color guard is a great form of exercise! Studies have proven that students who perform in color guard do so at the same rate as a typical high school athlete.
- You get to dance - Those involved in color guard will practice and perform dance skills and will improve technique and endurance.
- It’s competitive - When done in a healthy and appropriate way, competition is great for personal growth and goal setting.
- It looks good on college applications - Colleges like to see well-rounded students who are involved in both academic and athletic/musical activities.
- Learn time management skills - Color guard requires a large time commitment, which teaches students how to plan in advance. This is a very valuable life skill to learn!
- Learn how to work as a team - Color guard teaches how to work effectively with others. This is another very important life skill needed for the real world.
- Community - We perform in local parades, home football games, community events and competitions.
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Meet the Staff
Jessica Kalkofen
Hello, my name is Jessica Kalkofen and I direct the Joliet West Color Guard! I live in the western suburbs of Chicago with my partner Grace and our two dogs. Outside of work and color guard, I attend school online as I pursue my B.S. in Psychology.
After working in childcare and behavioral health for many years, I have recently transitioned into the healthcare administration field. I am currently working with Skyway Behavioral Health as client concierge. One thing I love about my job is that I get to learn something new every day! My favorite thing about color guard is that if you love it, the sky's the limit! I also love how the activity brings people together. Many of my former teammates have continued to be some of the most important people in my life, and I consider them family. My hope is to bring that same sense of family and community to the Joliet West Color Guard. |
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Annie Plecki |
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Hi! My name is Annie Plecki and I am one of the instructors for the Joliet West Color Guard. My love of the performing arts began at a young age. In elementary school I started taking dance classes and doing winterguard at my local park district. I did that for five years until I joined Independence Winterguard where I competed for eight years until I aged out. During this time, I also continued to take dance classes and teach dance while pursuing my BA and eventually my Master’s in Library and Information Science. My many years in Color Guard have taught me a work ethic that I have continued to carry with me throughout my academics and my professional life and truly have made me the person I am today.
My favorite thing about Color Guard is that it is an activity that pushes you to be your best as a team player as well as an individual. This activity teaches students skills and lessons that will help them thrive not only as performers, but as people. I am so excited to share my love of the activity and go on this journey with them! |
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