Winterguard

The Rio Hondo Winterguard culminated an amazing season with a "breathtaking" performance on Saturday, March 28th at the Texas Educational Colorguard Associations State Championship competition held at Southwest High School in San Antonio. The Rio Hondo Winterguard was named the Regional A state champion in an unanimous decision by the judges. This was only the second time that the guard competed in this classification after having been promoted only 2 weeks ago to Regional A. A review committee comprised of various judges in the TECA circuit decided to promote Rio Hondo out of the Novice class after they consistently won every competition that they participated in. This year's show entitled "Let It Be" was choreograhed and designed by Laura Cruz and Valerie Tovar. The guard is under the direction of Mrs. Valorie Garza. Guard captains are Laura Cruz, Omero Reyes, Jr. and Edna Perez. The winterguard wishes to thank Mr. Robert Garza, their parents, and especially our loyal bus sponsors, Mrs. Magda Cruz, Mrs. Adela Perez, Ms. Polly Lozano, Ms. Lisa Perez, and Mrs. Flor Gomez, for their support and prayers this season.

Congratulations go out to Laura Cruz and Omero Reyes, Jr. who were named TECA All-State Colorguard Members for the second year in a row. Both Laura and O.J. are seniors at RHHS. Laura has been a member of the Rio Hondo Winterguard for 4 years and O. J. has been a member for 3 years. Pictured with Laura and O.J. are senior guard members Mariela Zequera and Marissa Flores.

On Saturday, Feb. 7th, the Rio Hondo Winterguard participated in their first competition of the season at Martin High School in Laredo.  The winterguard was an unanimous 1st place selection in the Novice classification with an overall score of 54.  The winterguard competed against other guards from Laredo, Corpus, San Antonio and  the Valley.  The 2009 show is entitled "Let It Be" and is performed to a blues version of the Beatles' hit.  This year's show was designed and choreographed by Laura Cruz and Valerie Tovar.  Winterguard captain is Laura  Cruz and co-captains are O. J. Reyes and Edna Perez.  The guard is scheduled to compete again at Mathis High School on Feb. 28th. The Winterguard is directed by Mrs. Valorie Garza assisted by Valerie Tovar and Laura Cruz.   Congratulations go out to the Rio  Hondo Winterguard and best wishes for continued success this season.

On April 5, 2008, the Rio Hondo High School Winterguard competed at the 2008 Texas Educational Colorguard Circuit Championships.  TECA consists of colorguards and drumlines from south of Austin to Brownsville and border to border.  Winterguard is indoor competitive colorguard performances done before a panel of 5 judges.  This is the third year that Rio Hondo has participated in TECA and the second time that they have competed at the State Circuit Championships. 
 
The winterguard is a voluntary organization at Rio Hondo that requires additional practice time and committment on the part of the participants.  This year's show entitled "I Need a Savior" was performed to the music of Ana Laura.  The show was written and designed by Valerie Tovar, a graduate of RHHS and colorguard tech for the guard, and Laura Cruz, a junior at RHHS and the captain of the colorguard.  The  director for the colorguard and winterguard is Mrs. Valorie Garza. 
 
The guard competed at only 2 shows prior to state and won 2nd place at the La Joya TECA show and 3rd place at the Edinburg North TECA show.   They received 2nd place at the TECA State Circuit Championships in their novice classification, moving up from a fourth place seed.  At the championships, Laura Cruz and Omero Reyes, Jr. were named All-State Colorguard members.