03/21/2026
One of the most meaningful traditions you may see at Winterguard events right now is the use of inspirational clips.
Each student decorates small wooden clothespins with handwritten notesâwords of encouragement, affirmations, inside jokes, or simple reminders that someone is seen and valued. Throughout competition days, they quietly âclipâ them onto each otherâs bags, warmups, or costumes.
But what makes this tradition truly special is that it doesnât stop within a single team.
Students share clips across groups, across schools, and across our entire circuitâlifting up performers they may only see a few times each season. In a competitive environment, it becomes a powerful reminder that this activity is bigger than rankings or scores.
What starts as a simple gesture turns into something much deeper.
A note before stepping onto the floor.
A boost after a tough run.
A quiet moment of connection between performers who understand the same pressures, nerves, and dedication.
By the end of the day, students arenât just covered in clipsâtheyâre carrying pieces of encouragement from an entire community.
In an activity that asks so much of them, this tradition helps create a culture rooted in respect, kindness, and supportâfor teammates, competitors, and everyone in between.
Because at the heart of Winterguard, we donât just perform togetherâwe lift each other up. đ«