With sparkling eyes akin to the lights of Beaver Stadium after a 7:30 p.m. Remembering those early years of her dream fulfilled was a true joy for the Sapphire.

No stranger to hard work, Brooks maintained this mentality of excellence to continue living her dream beyond freshmen year. “It really keeps you on your toes, having to audition every year…And I always make sure I’m doing my hardest tricks as a reminder to keep practicing,” Brooks said, noting she’s earned the privilege every year. Leading the march must be earned each season since there is no guarantee of continuing as the Blue Sapphire from year to year.

Each Saturday, the Blue Sapphire has the unique opportunity to lead the entire band to Beaver Stadium from its nearby practice fields. “It’s literally just like the best place in the world…There’s nothing like the feeling you get walking into the stadium on gameday,” Brooks said.īeaver Stadium serves not only as Brooks’ second home but is also the final destination of the Blue Band’s gameday march. With a commitment to her craft clear, she stayed motivated for an eventual return to Beaver Stadium. Hopeful for a return to in-person performances this year, Brooks trained for countless hours to perfect her twirling talent. It is this persevering spirit that turned a child inspired by familial legacy into the bold young woman performing before us each weekend. “It just has made this whole season even more special and has really made me want to take advantage of every opportunity I can to perform and enjoy my last year as Blue Sapphire,” Brooks said. When faced with the challenges brought on by unprecedented times, the Blue Sapphire rose above reality to reclaim her senior season. Disappointment could have easily drained the featured twirler and made her lose focus within the ever-changing reality of 2020, especially when dealing with the devastation of missing out on a lifelong pursuit. For an athlete who spent the past 17 years perfecting her craft, losing an entire season of performing with the Blue Band was crushing. A season lost to the COVID-19 pandemic was a fate unimaginable for Brooks and so many others within the Blue Band.

His Game by Blue Saffire