At a young age, Mackenzie Newell knew she wanted to join the color guard. For some, this may seem like an impossible dream but Mackenzie is, in fact, today one of only 25 girls who march in the color guard for Tri-Valley.
Mackenzie was born with 18q Minus Syndrome which is a rare condition that is often associated with hearing loss.
Despite her condition, Mackenzie tried out for winter guard in 7th grade. In recent years about 35-40 girls try out for color guard each year so around 67% percent of those who try out will make the cut. Mackenzie who is now a sophomore is one of those individuals.
Although you would never know when watching Mackenzie perform, their are a few challenges that she faces due to her hearing loss. Even with hearing aids it is hard to hear people and certain parts in the songs that the band performs. Of course the hearing aids have to be removed when it rains. To overcome these obstacles, Mackenzie has to pay close attention to her surroundings often times using her peripheral vision to watch the other performers. She has to anticipate the movements and count to keep her timing just right.
Some of the highlights from her time with the band so far has been dancing with the rings during “A Million Dreams” which was one of the songs from the Tri-Valley Marching Bands show titled “The Greatest Show”. She also enjoyed getting to be a section leader. “
One of the color guard directors, Carrie Schott, commented on how Mackenzie never complains or uses her condition as an excuse. Carrie did not even know at first until Mackenzie asked her to hold her hearing aids.
Mackenzie will be performing along with the rest of the winter guard’s high school program which just started competing this year. Their competitions are right around the corner with the first one being on March 3rd and the second on the 23rd of the same month. They will also put on a show during the Celebration of the Arts which is on Friday, March 29, 2019.
Mackenzie’s strength and determination show us that we can do what some think may be impossible no matter what barriers we have in life.
Gallery of photos courtesy of Mackenzie’s sister, Mariah Bowen.
