2018 marked a pretty special year for the Troopers. In their 60th anniversary, it was all about honoring the past and pointing to the future.
For the Casper, Wyoming corps, 2019 is the beginning of that future.
“The corps is definitely going in a forward direction this year,” said drum major Savannah Light. “The show kind of helps with that, especially with (new uniforms) and everything, but it's mostly just about us being the better version of ourselves.”
Kristy Jackson has been with the Troopers for nine years. The corps’ 61st year, though, is her first as director. She is the one steering the ship into a new era.
Now, that’s not an easy task; Jackson knows that. But the Troopers are sticking together through the switch.
“This is a transitioning year for us, so a lot of things have changed,” Jackson said. “There are ups and downs, but we're hitting the challenges head-on. And at the end of the day, we are all family and we just continue to move forward.”
Troopers finished in 18th place at the DCI Southeastern Championship, July 27 in Atlanta.
Troopers’ 2019 production, “Breaking Boundaries,” emulates the corps’ move in a new direction.
“It's all about breaking the boundaries, even the field is set up like that,” Light said. “We're not just going to march inside of this little box; we weave our way out at the end of the show, rush off the field and get in front of the pit. And so that's really exciting to break the boundaries of what drum corps is.”
After finishing the season in 17th for the last two seasons, Troopers placed 18th at last Saturday’s DCI Southeastern Championship in Atlanta with a score just north of 76.
This year, Troopers only returned 37 veterans. But even with the flurry of newcomers, the corps has bonded together.
“The corps has improved tremendously. Not just on the field, but off the field,” Jackson said. “You go through all kinds of stuff. It's a brand new group, our kids are brand new to the Troopers. So we're all getting used to each other and all of the new staff we’ve had.”
A member of the Troopers color guard performs at the DCI Southeastern Championship, July 27 in Atlanta.
The Troopers have their challenges. They are moving into the future, ushering in a new era with a new director and a largely new membership. That’s not easy. Yet, when you speak to those around the corps, they have the utmost positivity about their journey.
“I feel like right now the corps is fighting to the end,” Light said. “We're not gonna let a single second slip by. We're gonna fight till the very last second that we humanly possibly could.”