Discovery Winter Guard saluted Rosie the Riveter in their award-winning performance at Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Championships in Nashville. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – In its first year, the Winter Guard at Discovery Middle School brought home the Alabama title at the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Championships (SCGC).

Discovery placed fourth in the SCGC cadet division at at Belmont University in Nashville on March 22.

“We placed the highest out of the Alabama groups competing so we were named the Alabama state champions in the cadet division,” sponsor Nichole Murray said. Murray teaches English at Bob Jones High School.

Seventh-graders in the Discovery Winter Guard are Megan Sheehan, Megan Hastings, Maya Escobar and Katie Gereski.

Eighth-graders in Winter Guard are April Turner, Madeline Anne See, Wilma Jude, Deseree Graham, Gabbi Ramero, Courtney Bratt, Lia Deganaar, Jane Newberry, Kate Newberry, Kyler Evans, Natalie Eggenberger, Emma Grider, Hannah Gulley, Morgan Scott and Erin Martin.

This year’s show, “Everything’s Rosie,” saluted Rosie the Riveter. “This was the winter guard’s inaugural year,” Murray said.

Murray choreographed the show and taught the flag work. Shannon Walker and Hannah Fisher, senior members of the Bob Jones High School Winter Guard, taught weapons handling.

Ashley Raby, a junior member of Bob Jones Color Guard, served as Discovery’s dance instructor.

Murray agreed to sponsor the Winter Guard to offer the Discovery students another opportunity to showcase their talents. “Discovery is a wonderful school that is filled with potential,” she said.

By joing Winter Guard, the girls have performance venues and improve coordination, strength and self-esteem. “I have seen the guard start out as individuals and blossom into a team in just four months,” Murray said.

The girls have gained valuable experience and have learned “the basics that will be necessary to be successful as they begin their high school career,” Murray said. “Providing the Discovery girls with this (outlet) will only strengthen the guard at Bob Jones High School.”