We all know of someone who pushes towards perfection, someone who goes the extra mile, someone who puts all of their heart and soul into what they love. For the winter guard team, this someone is an important asset to the group as a whole. Without them, there would be no Winter Guard.
Rachel Mansell has devoted a majority of her waking hours to Jacksonville High School’s Winter Guard and Color Guard teams. Mansell spends her own money on equipment, choreographs all shows, and spends many hours at the high school working with team members so they can better themselves in an art they love.
Not once has Mansell complained or belly ached even though she does not get paid to do any of the things she does. A team of twenty-two girls can not be easy, and when it seems as though no one respects her, it can surely be tough. Mansell is completely and absolutely a volunteer for this team, but she is the head coach who ends up taking care of almost everything.
Mansell has been here at JHS for four years now, and one would think she would have the rights that some other coaches and instructors do here at this point. However, Mansell does not have a key to the band room, which means if someone does not come let her in, she cannot get access to the flags or other equipment located inside. This also means that the Guard cannot get into the school building before competitions due to the fact that they leave at four in the morning and all doors are locked. Meaning, nine times out of ten, Mansell has to load everything up into her car the day before competition to actually have access to it, and the girls have to wait in their cars or in the cold until the bus arrives.
Four years and no sign of quitting should mean that Mansell is entitled to some sort of access of her own into a room where she coaches. Mansell puts so much into the Guard, and she expects a lot back from them; however, without the proper tools to teach, the students will continue to suffer. A key to the band room is a small thing to wish for, especially for a woman who has dedicated four years of her life, but it would be the biggest step for Mansell because it would show that she is respected and appreciated by more than just her girls.
The team would love to keep Rachel around for future years and seasons and would like for her to be treated as equally as other outside coaches in the building. A key for Mansell is a small step, but it is a step in the right direction.