Stagg High's Winter Guard Debuts with Flourish

New auxiliary team overcomes challenges to place in first competition season

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:54pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, angular shapes in bright colors like red, yellow, and blue, representing the dynamic energy and artistry of Stagg High's new winter guard team.Stagg High's new winter guard team overcomes challenges to make a strong debut, showcasing the growth of the school's arts programs.Stockton Today

Stagg High School in Stockton, California has launched its first-ever winter guard team, led by coaches Italia and Irlanda Cortez-Aguilar who previously built a successful program at a neighboring high school. Despite starting from scratch with a small team of eight students, the Stagg High winter guard placed fifth at their first major competition, showcasing the growth and potential of the new program.

Why it matters

The launch of Stagg High's winter guard represents an important milestone for the school's music and arts programs. After the passage of Proposition 28 in 2022, which provided significant new funding for arts education, Stagg was able to invest in the necessary equipment and resources to establish this auxiliary team. The program's early success also highlights the positive impact that dedicated coaches and community support can have in expanding creative opportunities for students.

The details

Stagg High had previously incorporated flags into its marching band and drumline performances, but never had a dedicated winter guard team until this year. The Cortez-Aguilar sisters, who had built a winning program at nearby Chavez High, were recruited by Stagg's music department to launch a new team. Starting with just five members in the fall, the Stagg winter guard grew to eight students by January and competed in their first competition in March, placing fifth in the SRA Bronze division against more experienced programs.

  • In fall 2025, the Cortez-Aguilar sisters coached a team of five Stagg High students.
  • By the end of January 2026, the winter guard team had grown to eight new members.
  • On March 28, 2026, the Stagg High winter guard competed at the Central Valley Guard and Percussion Alliance Championships in Modesto, California.

The players

Italia Cortez-Aguilar

Director of the Stagg High winter guard team, who previously built a successful program at Chavez High.

Irlanda Cortez-Aguilar

Assistant coach of the Stagg High winter guard team, who also has experience in guard and drumline from her own high school days.

Luis Ramirez

Stagg High Music Department Assistant Director, who recruited the Cortez-Aguilar sisters to launch the winter guard program.

Jerren Robinson

Stagg High Band Director, who expressed excitement and pride in the new winter guard program.

Delyla Martinez

A 12th-grade Stagg High student who joined the winter guard after previously participating in marching band.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very proud of them from being a beginner and first ever winter guard. And we've already beaten two (schools) that have had winter guard.”

— Irlanda Cortez-Aguilar, Assistant Coach

“We've never had as much support for the arts as we do now. The administration is always willing to help us.”

— Luis Ramirez, Stagg High Music Department Assistant Director

“The instructors really helped make me want to do it because they were really welcoming. They weren't looking for experience. They just wanted us to come out and try it.”

— Delyla Martinez, 12th-grade Stagg High Student

What’s next

As half the team graduates this year, the coaching staff looks towards next season. They've already showcased their skills to prospective freshmen.

The takeaway

The launch of Stagg High's winter guard program, made possible by new arts funding and dedicated coaches, demonstrates how schools can expand creative opportunities for students and build community-driven arts initiatives, even starting from scratch.