During her senior year, Ashlee LaRue was the captain of the colorguard team when they did their show called ‘Disappear.’

That year, the Derby Panther Marching Band didn’t make it to finals at KBA(Kansas Band Master’s association). Five years later, LaRue came back to her roots at Derby to coach this year’s current team.

“I want to promote a positive team, so that way the girls are able to grow this team into something more,” LaRue said.

Adam DeVault was one of the directors when LaRue was in color guard back in 2018.

“During her time, you could tell that she was highly motivated and that she loved the sport,” DeVault said.

During LaRue’s time at Derby, she made an impression on the people.

“She was a force, you could tell that she takes what she does seriously, even with the girls this year.” Band Secretary, Krista Cotterill said.

Before LaRue ever decided that she wanted to join colorguard, she already had family members who were passionate about music. LaRue’s mom marched with the Kansas State University Marching Band, before LaRue was born.

“She(LaRue’s mom) had such a passion for music and I got put into Violin lessons at a young age and I eventually got transferred into piano lessons,” LaRue said.

Now that she is the coach, she is bringing something back that hasn’t been seen for a while at Derby.

“I love winter guard, I feel like you get to level up your skills and you get to learn a lot cooler tosses and to learn new equipment too,” LaRue said.

Winter guard will have one performance during the basketball season and they will perform at both the middle schools to promote guard as a whole.

“I’m really excited because this year we’re gonna do a circus themed show. It’s going to be based off of the greatest showman and you’re gonna see hula hoops and airblades and rifles and maybe sabers,” LaRue said.

More information about winter guard and its tryouts will be announced.