The color guard team competed at the TCGC Area East Championships on March 21, 2026 at Klein Collins High School, placing 3rd out of 11 schools in their round. Ultimately, they were ranked one of the Top 8 Scholastic Regional A groups out of 34 schools in their class.

Senior Audrina Lopez, a transfer from Cypress Creek High School, came to Cypress Ridge to finish off her senior year. Lopez joined color guard and got to participate in Area as a first-time member.

On the day of the competition, she took steps to prepare herself for the journey ahead.

“Taking deep breaths and remembering all the hard work I put into the show,” Lopez said.

Together, the team participated in multiple practices every week with late night hours. They were determined to win and wanted to do it for each other, especially for the seniors, according to Color Guard Director Daniel Matias-Acevedo. They also wanted to set up a good legacy for the future generation of Rams.

Matias-Acevedo has never felt so proud of his team and considers this one of his finest moments as a director.

“This team has had many challenges, but by sticking together, they were able to overcome them,” Matias-Acevedo said. “Getting that bronze medal signifies not only their hard work and dedication, but their passion for color guard as well.”

Lopez also had a great feeling of accomplishment in her performance.

“I felt like the world was complete, that it was all worth it, and I was overly happy and ecstatic,” Lopez said.