It’s hard to feel discouraged in the Enloe color guard.
Of course, like any other sport or performing art, it’s not a skill that comes easily to most. It can be tempting to give up when things seem hard, especially while learning new skills or choreography. But, invariably, the moment it crosses your mind, Emma Fasone shows up, insisting that you try it again. So you do.
A few key things come to mind when Emma comes up. One Direction, Pelican’s Snoballs… and, of course, color guard. As the captain of Enloe’s team, Emma truly embodies what the sport is about. Having spun for almost her entire life (this winter is her 12th season), she started in the second grade and has continued ever since. “I grew up in color guard, and it’s just something I instantly fell in love with,” she says.
Proficient in all of the elements used in guard—flag, rifle, sabre, and dance—Emma performs effortlessly. She demonstrates not just a technical skill, but the ability to truly draw you into her performance, always expressive and musical in her movements. Even though it seems like it’s nothing to her, that’s far from the truth. As they say, it takes a lot of work to make it look that easy.
Practices and competitions are long and tiring—the phrase “blood, sweat, and tears” is no exaggeration. Injuries and stress are no strangers to the activity. “While yes, this sport of the arts is very time consuming,” Emma says, “it is extremely worth it.” She’s never been deterred for more than a moment by any of the setbacks she’s faced, and it’s more common than not to find her trying new tricks in Enloe’s atrium or gym. Whether it’s a toss with a turn under it or a catch under her legs, she’s constantly working to get her performance perfect before she’s live on stage. She isn’t alone, however—the rest of Enloe’s community is there to support her. Emma says, “The community at Enloe is so welcoming and supportive and will help you through anything you’ve been facing!”
All the support she’s received over the years has been paid back during her time at Enloe. Her greatest gift as a leader is how deeply she connects with everyone on her team. The same way that not everyone leads the same, not everyone can be led in the same way. Even so, Emma sticks to her judgement and always does what she believes is best for each person on her team. She describes her leadership style as maintaining both “a sense of control and support.”
Dance is an inherently emotional experience. Emma herself describes it as “being able to express yourself visually,” something that is very important to her. This self-expression is what has made her both a great dancer and a great friend—she is always genuine. Her love for the people around her is what makes her so special. Emma excels in her ability to tune into others’ emotions, and her willingness to empathize without mincing words. She’s understanding, but she never lets this get in the way of telling it like it is. Speaking from personal experience as a member of color guard, I don’t think I would’ve made it through 2024 without Emma’s almost uncanny ability to always say what I needed to hear in order to get me back on my feet.
The journey to get to where she is today started back in her freshman year, where, like the rest of the class of 2025, she was coming fresh out of the Covid-19 pandemic into a brand-new environment. “Something major I wish I told my freshman self would be to have more confidence,” she says. Over her time at Enloe, Emma has found a confidence in herself that has allowed her to blossom into the beautiful person that she is today.
After her time at Enloe is up, Emma plans to major in Environmental Health and Safety, either in the states or potentially abroad at the Ca Foscari University in Venice, Italy. Although we’ll be sad to see her go, we wish her the best as she goes out into the world and brings her many gifts with her.
