Salem High School Color Guard Captures NESBA Championship
Second NESBA trophy this year caps a perfect winter season
SALEM (Apr. 3, 2025) – The Salem High School Color Guard captured the 2025 New England School Bands Association (NESBA) Color Guard Championship Saturday in front of its home crowd at the Veterans Memorial Field House.
The triumphant performance capped the end of a perfect winter season for the SHS Color Guard, which scored highest among its competitors in each of its five NESBA meets. Additionally, the title marked the program’s second NESBA trophy this year.
In early November, the SHS marching band and color guard captured the NESBA Division 3 state championship, similarly capping a sterling regular season.
“The senior guard staff is so proud of their achievement and growth this winter guard season,” said Jackie Gaffney, in her first season as Director. “Not only did they work hard to grow their technique skills in color guard, but they also grew in their performance qualities to make the production of their show come to life. We can’t wait to see what they do in the future!”
In the Scholastic Regional Red ‘A’ Division, the SHS Color Guard performed its routine to the song “Head Above Water,” by Avril Lavigne and scored high in each category:
- Equipment analysis (18.14 out of 20)
- Movement analysis (17.32)
- Design analysis (19.30)
- General effect (19.60 and 18.30)
SHS’s composite score of 92.660 ranked on top of the table ahead of Joseph Case H.S. (91.120), Agawam H.S. (90.500), Mansfield (90.340), Danvers H.S. (88.660) and Acton-Boxborough (87.960).
“I knew Jackie would do good things with our color guard,” said Coordinator of Music/Marching Band Director Ben Chertok. “Our color guard was ready to evolve. The kids who bought in last fall really embraced the kids coming into the team in the winter and built a winning dynamic.”
The Salem Junior Color Guard also enjoyed a successful day at the NESBA Championship, earning a gold medal for its routine to the song “Try Everything,” by Shakira.
The junior color guard is directed by Caylee Post (SHS Class of 2016), who is also in her first year and assists with the SHS color guard
“Seeing where we started from this season in December, to where we ended our season last weekend, I couldn’t be more proud of our junior guard,” said Ms. Post. “They have all developed greatly as performers and learned many new skills. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of kids to work with in my first year as director.
“I have had the pleasure of working with the senior guard since 2021,” Ms. Post added. “Seeing how much the girls have developed is amazing. They have all come so far from where they have started and had an unbelievable season.”
SHS returns 13 of its 17 members this fall.
On Saturday, the SHS student-percussionists will compete at the NESBA Winter Percussion Final Saturday at Dartmouth H.S.
2025 SHS Color Guard Roster
- Annie Bednar, So.
- Delaney Cannon, So.
- Jacinda Cannon, Gr. 7
- Ella Coates, Gr. 8
- Stella De Filipis, Gr. 8
- Mariangela Diaz, Sr., Captain
- Maria Fry, Gr. 8
- Emmy Holt, Gr. Gr. 8
- Celine Jones, So.
- Tammy Nguyen, Gr. 8
- Julianna Pavia, Gr. 8
- Hannah Phelps, Gr. 8
- Nancy Reed, Jr.
- Isabel Rentas, Gr. 8
- Tanachpond Sanprasert, Sr., Captain
- Rose Shanahan, So.
- Yelena Stevick, Fr.
- Danielle Wallinga, Gr. 7
Junior Color Guard Roster
- Abigayle Belanger, Gr. 5
- Genevieve Devoe, Gr. 5
- Marisabel Diaz, Gr. 8
- Mary Gifford, Gr. 7
- Madison James, Gr. 6
- Satiera James, Gr. 7
- Zoey Legere, Gr. 6
- Gianna Mejia, Gr. 5
- Kai Owen, Gr. 6
- Stella Riccardi, Gr. 7
- Sedona Shaw, Gr. 6
- Luciana Vozzo, Gr. 5
- Brigid Warner-Streff, Gr. 5
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
