Meet The 2024 Cast
Ashly DeOrta - Tulare, CA - Captain
Hi! My name is Ashly and I’m 19 years old. I’ve been doing guard for 8 years now and this is my second season spinning with El Ritmo! My favorite piece of equipment is definitely rifle. I’m currently attending Fresno City and majoring in nursing. I would say my favorite guard experience is the LONG practices every Sunday because even though everyone is focused on working and cleaning the routine, we’re all bonding and slowly getting closer to one another. I’m so excited to be apart of El Ritmo this year because we have so much in store for this season, so stay tuned👀🌚
Vanessa Moody - Tulare, CA
Hi everyone my name is Vanessa Moody, I am 19 and I am currently a student nail tech at Milan Institute. I am going into my second year in El Ritmo and I have been doing guard now for 8 years. I joined guard back in seventh grade because my mom always talked about her experience with it and I fell in love with it. I continued colorguard in high school and eventually became Captain my senior year. Continuing my colorguard experience with El Ritmo was the best decision working with such amazing people has been the highlight of my experience. I do have to say that my favorite guard experience would have to be the early morning call times, it gives the guard time to bond and get to know each-other even if we are all dead tired.
Angie Vega - Exeter, CA
Hi everyone ! My names Angela I’m 20 years old and this is my second year spinning with Ritmo! I’m currently a dental assistant but have been coaching Exeter's middle and high school for a few years now. I joined guard my freshman year of high school after moving to Exeter. It was always something I wanted to try and I have fallen in love with it! My favorite thing about guard is getting pushed to improve and learning harder skills especially on rifle. I truly can’t wait for you guys to see what we have in store this season 🕺
Maryanne Gonzales - Visalia, CA
Hi, my name is Maryanne Gonzales, and I’m a sophomore in college. This will be my third season in guard and my second season with El Ritmo. I joined Color Guard my senior year at Redwood High School because I wanted to try something new after being in band for 8 years, and my favorite thing about Guard is the bond you get with your teammates and how much fun you have with every single one of them. I’m really excited to see everyone achieve their goals this year and can’t wait for competition season!💜
Vanessa Navarro - Visalia, CA
Hello everyone!! My name is Vanessa (she/her) and I have been doing guard for 8 years. I marched El Ritmo last year and I am currently marching at Fresno State. I joined guard as a way to continue dancing as I got older. My favorite moment in guard is whenever we focus on dance work and hard flag tricks. I am so excited to be apart of this group again and hope everyone enjoys this years show🫶
Victoria Navarro - Visalia, CA
Hi my names Victoria Navarro and I am the youngest on the team. I have been doing Guard for 6 years. Some of my favorite things to do is going out with my friends 👯♀️ and shopping 🛍️! I hope everyone comes out to see the amazing show!
Santino Beltran - Visalia, CA
Hello everyone my name is Santino Beltran and I am currently a senior at Redwood High school. I’ve been doing guard for 1 and half years now and this will be my second time spinning with El Ritmo independent. I never heard of colorguard until one of my friends asked me to audition for my high schools guard. I didn’t have anything else to do so I agreed and ever since then I couldn’t stop spinning. One of my most favorite memories from this experience was performing at my schools football game and hearing the crowd cheering as I caught a high toss. I can’t wait to continue my experience through El ritmo and bring another great show!❤️
Diana Bell - Fresno, CA
Diana is an instructor at Caruthers High School.
My name is Diana, I’ve been doing Guard for 7 years. I love guard because it lets me express myself and have fun with a group of talented individuals while making life long friendships. My favorite memory by far has to be seeing my kids perform and place in their division, building a new program and sharing the joy of color guard to another generation is like no other. Thanks and can’t wait to see you on that floor! 🥰
Becca is currently the Guard Director at Mt. Whitney HS.
I’m Becca!! I’m 22 and currently studying anthropology at college of the sequoias. I’ve been doing guard since 7th grade, and this will be my first season with El Ritmo and my second season spinning independent! I’ve been coaching at Mt.Whitney High School for three years and I’m excited to be setting a good example for my students. I’m ready to learn more and can’t wait for all the team bonding this season will bring! <3 Hope you enjoy our show !!
Azucena Gonzalez - Orosi, CA
I am Azucena González a Freshman in college. I joined guard because I wanted to represent my small community while doing something I’m passionate about and love. My favorite Guard moment was winning 1st place at last years Winter guard show at SVWAA along side my Cardinal family.
Yadira Gutierrez-Angel - Orosi, CA
Hello everyone, my name is Yadira Gutierrez Angel. I've been involved in guard for 9 years now. I started in El Monte Middle School and marched Orosi High School as well. I am now coaching both and it's been a different but fun experience. I do however miss performing, so I am really excited to be performing once again for the first time with El Ritmo Independent.
Sam Mahoney - Exeter, CA
my name is sam (they/he) i’m a senior in highschool and have been doing guard since i was in 8th grade. i joined because it looked fun and since then, it’s become a very important part of my life. next semester, ill be attending cos and working towards my cosmetology license. i’m very excited to be working with el ritmo and to push through the challenges that come with it :)
Arvin Martinez - Orosi, CA
Hello everyone I’m Arvin Martinez and I’m a senior from Orosi High School. I’ve been in percussion since 6th grade but just last year, I tried out winter guard and loved it. I joined because it was something new and because I wanted to try tossing on rifle. This is my first year in El Ritmo Independent. My favorite part of guard is making memories during practices and at comps.
Emily Gonzalez - Orosi, CA
Jaylinn Banks - Visalia, CA
My name is Jaylinn I am 18 years old.I am a senior at redwood.This is my first year doing El Ritmo Independent and I have been doing guard for 3 years.I joined guard my sophomore year because I wanted to try something new that included dance and something to keep me busy.There has been some lows but it will still be the highlight of my time in high school.
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Genevieve (Theo) Sherry -Riverdale, CA
My Name is Genevieve Sherry, better known as Theo.
I am 19 years old and a freshman at COS and Fresno State. My major is Deaf Studies and Interpretation. Being deaf and hard of hearing, and able to reach my goals, makes me want to help others chase their dreams. Nothing is impossible if you work hard and put your best effort forward.
I am originally from the midwestern state of Wisconsin and moved with my family 5 years ago to the valley, graduating from Hanford High. I have loved guard from the first day I picked up a flag and have found a passion in weapons. Tossing a rifle or saber is something I find most challenging, but beautiful at the same time.
Guard has been an important part of my life for 8 years, most recently representing Fresno State in their Marching Band. This will be my first year participating in El Ritmo Independent and I look forward to all the adventures that are to come.
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