Senior Ximena de la Garza performs with the color guard in their athletic trainer uniform at the McCallum vs. Crockett halftime show. Moving from the sidelines to the field during halftime usually isn’t too much of a challenge thanks to de la Garza’s effective time and stress management skills. “Stressing is the last thing you want to do with multiple activities,” de la Garza said. “It throws everything out of balance, and it’s so important to handle.”
Ximena de la Garza
Senior manages simultaneous dual commitment as color guard captain, football trainer by staying cool under pressure
Senior Ximena de la Garza is a sports medicine trainer and a color guard co-captain, both roles that keep them occupied during football season. De la Garza began color guard their freshman year and first became a trainer their junior year.
De la Garza was drawn to color guard in middle school when they encountered their first marching band performance in eighth grade.
“I liked the dance aspect of it,” de la Garza said. “Then, I saw them spin with rifles and sabers, and that’s what really drew me in.”
Post-pandemic, de la Garza diverged into sports medicine, becoming a trainer for the football team. This activity became a primary interest as De la Garza found themselves fascinated in the medical aspect of sports and aspiring to become a physical therapist.
“I chose to be a trainer because I was interested in how to take care of people who are injured,” de la Garza said. “If one of the players has a concussion or a seizure, I know how to help them out.”
De la Garza has successfully balanced color guard and sports medicine, thanks to careful planning. According to them, there is rarely a conflict; however, if they are required to attend a band competition, they are usually able to find another trainer to fill in for them at the game.
“Managing everything helps me with time management,” de la Garza said. “I found a way to fit them both into my schedule without too many conflicts.”
During football season, de la Garza typically begins the first half with the trainers, leaving to perform with the band at halftime.
Immediately after halftime, they must rush back to the sideline to begin the second half. During these hours, de la Garza can effectively manage the stress that comes with their schedule.
“Stressing is the last thing you want to do with multiple activities,” de la Garza said. “It throws everything out of balance, and it’s so important to handle.”