Memorial Academy's Colorguard Team is supported by a very active Parent Team.  This group consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Advisor, and various Sub-Committees.  The Sub-Committees include:  fundraising, food, transportation, equipment and community spokesperson.  Each member of the team brings their own personal contribution to the group.

Our Goal 

The goal of the Parent Support Team is to support the coaches and staff of the school in their efforts to provide a positive experience for the students.  The parents' participation in the Coloruard team is an excellent opportunity to keep the students involved and engaged in positive activities.  These activities include exercise, discipline, entertainment, friendships and a sense of belonging, pride and accomplishment for the student.  All of this, while maintaining the required academic status.  The Parent Support Team presents the year's events to the school's Executive Board for continued support from them.

Sponsorship

The Parent Support Team meets regularly and brainstorms on sponsorship ideas and opportunities.  Each member's employer or community connection is a possibility for a sponsorship.  We have had several businesses sponsor the team.  These include Soup Plantation and Pat & Oscar's where they shared part of their proceeds on a given night.  We've had private individual donations and the generous donation of this website by (insert Drew's company name here).  The monetary contributions received go to the Team's general fund.

Fundraising 

The Parent Support Team is involved in creating fundraising opportunities for the students.  These events include two annual car wash events as well as the sale of beef jerky, fruit snacks and decorated pens.  Fundraising events such as car wash ticket proceeds benefit the individual student's account.  The profit from the food items sold also go into the student/s individual account.

Parent participation is extremely important and the parents involved take great pride in knowing they will make a difference for the students.  There is a lot to accomplish each year, from fundraising, to equipment refurbishing, to putting the finishing touches on uniforms and painting floors.  All this occurs before the competition season even begins.  Once the competitions start, the Parent Support Team members organize the other parents to take part in everything needed for a smooth show.  The students need their make-up and hair done before departing for the competition.  Once at the competition site, they need their floor and props organized and delivered for their performance.  The set up and break down of the props before and after the performance is timed and must be done quickly.  Everyone has a part in the preparation and setup and come together very nicely.  The parents also participate in serving snacks and lunch to the students once the show is over.  Transportation to and from the competition site is extremely important.  The Parent Support Team plays a big role in the transporting of students and making sure there are enough other parents or family members to transport all the students, coaches, and other parents.  The schools Executive Board is invited to participate as well.

Importance 

Being on the Parent Support Team is not only very rewarding but a necessary element of the success of the team.  With parent participation, everyone benefits.  All efforts put forth are to encourage the students and make them feel supported by their parents.  This creates a team culture of belonging, ownership, pride and desire to perform well.  For the parents, there is a great deal of pride in watching all the performances.  The reward of watching your child show off their hard earned talent is priceless.  For parents, being involved not only allows them to stay closely involved in their child's life, it also makes them a part of the success of the entire team!