But then when a friend put a flag in her hand, the Fort Dodge Senior High senior was all in.

“I first had the idea that I might want to join color guard when I saw someone do a big toss and I was awestruck. My friend Neveah, who was already in color guard, decided to put a flag in my hand and teach me a few tosses, and I was hooked,” Rake said. “The feeling of power and excitement when I nail a toss or trick was so addicting, and two years later, still is. I love how color guard is both graceful and powerful. I love how creative it allows me to be, whether I write my own routine or perform work that has already been written.

“When I have a flag or rifle in my hands, I feel invincible, powerful, and beautiful. I also love the community of the team. We are all different people from different backgrounds united by a shared passion. We have each others’ backs, and we can all become one when we take the field or floor, individually contributing to the bigger, beautiful picture.”

While at Fort Dodge Senior High, Rake has been involved in band, color guard, speech, theater and 4-H. She was recently in FDSH’s rendition of “Radium Girls” for the fall play.

While being on stage in theater, expressing herself has brought the most enjoyment.

“I will never tire of the pure euphoria I feel when I’m onstage. I love being able to express myself and connect with my audience through my performance,” Rake said. “That rush when I am onstage with all eyes on me, being confident in what I am doing and terrified of messing up, will always be an indescribably amazing feeling.

“I also love the feeling after a performance I know I nailed. It’s absolutely overwhelming, and I cannot stop smiling or shaking. Overall, the most special part of performing is the joy that it brings me.”

With performing there also comes the chance to be creative.

“My color guard solo this past December has been one of my favorite performances I have ever done. I spent almost six months writing a routine to the song “Young and Beautiful”, by Lana del Rey,” Rake said. “The routine involved some dance work, which my friend Reese Pederson was kind enough to help me write, a regular 6-foot flag, which was black and purple with shiny silver detail, and two white swing flags, intended to resemble angel wings.

This was my favorite performance because I had worked so hard on it and put my heart and soul into it. Everything I had worked at for the past two years, all my passion, was poured out in my routine.”

Rake, one of the captains of the color guard, enjoys being a part of the marching band as well with the guard.

“Color guard adds color and visual to the marching band. Most of the time, when you are watching the marching band, you cannot see the band members’ faces,” Rake said. “The color guard is there to add color, flare, facials, and emotion, and in a way, adds a theatrical element to the band.

“The colors of the flags, the creativity of our movements, and our uniforms (usually designed to match the theme of the show) take the marching band performance up a few notches and create a show that is stunning to both listen to and watch.”

Being involved has given Rake a chance to make memories and show her talent on stage.

“Being involved is important to me for many reasons. I have had so many positive experiences and made memories that will last me a lifetime throughout all I have been involved with. I also love how I have been pushed way past my comfort zone and achieved more than I ever would have believed I was capable of,” Rake said. “Even when I drop my flag, get smacked in the face with a rifle going full speed, forget a line, or get stage fright, pushing past all of it and doing a great performance anyway has made me stronger, tougher, more resilient, and has taught me life lessons I could never learn anywhere else.

“I also love being part of something bigger than myself. Knowing that I can contribute to a breathtaking show, whether that’s in color guard, theater, or band, feels absolutely amazing. I love the community that we can create. Band is such a loving community, and I admire how we can all be there for one another, push each other to be even better, make memories, laugh, and learn about ourselves, each other, and the world around us.”

With taking part in so many activities, it sometimes becomes difficult to manage. But keeping a strict eye on scheduling is a key component.

“Staying organized is crucial to juggling multiple activities. Keeping track of practice schedules and remembering where I need to be and when has been challenging for me, especially when things pile up and overlap,” Rake said. “My biggest trick for keeping track of everything has been to write everything down in a planner and on my calendar. It’s way easier to just write down every single rehearsal and make checklists of everything I need to bring with me than to just try and remember everything.”

While in speech, there are different events a student can take part in and a strong performance may get chosen as an All-State submission.

Rake created a piece that earned her that honor.

“My other most memorable experience was finding out that I had been nominated for All-State last year for Individual Speech in Spontaneous Speaking. Spontaneous Speaking is an event where you draw three topics out of an envelope, pick one, and you have three minutes to write your speech on the spot, and you give your speech when those three minutes are over,” Rake said. “After the state contest, my speech teacher, Mrs. Krug, has an All-State watch party, where we pile around Mrs. Krug’s computer and refresh it for an hour straight as we await the results of who was nominated.

“When I saw that I had been nominated, I was frozen in shock for about 20 seconds, and then reality set in and I was absolutely ecstatic, bouncing around the room squealing and crying happy tears. It was one of the happiest moments of my entire life.”

Through all her endeavors, Rake has had numerous influences she has been able to lean on.

“My English teacher and speech coach, Ms. Rouse, has been one of my biggest influences in my performing career,” Rake said. “During my sophomore year, she decided that I needed to try speech, and after a lot of encouragement, begging, and arm-twisting, I did join, and that was my introduction to the world of performing, and also the best decision I have ever made in my entire life.”

While with the color guard and theater Rake has met some people that have helped guide her.

“My color guard coach, Laura Klein-Ferry, has also been a huge inspiration to me, pushing me to work hard and be better, believing in me, and encouraging me when I needed it most,” Rake said. “My band teacher, Mr. Paulson has always encouraged me and has given me several shoves out of my comfort zone, breaking me out of my shell.

“My theater teacher, Mama Krug, has also influenced me to keep performing and has been so sweet and encouraging as I dive headfirst into new areas of theater, whether onstage or backstage.

“I am also very blessed to have made so many friends in the performing world, who all share my love of art and performing and inspire me every day. My family has also stood by me as I explored more and more of the world of performing.”

After graduating from FDSH, Rake plans on attending Iowa State University in Ames to major in psychology and have a career as a mental health therapist.

Vacation destination: Greece or Los Angeles.

People I would like to have dinner with: Lana del Rey.

It would surprise people that: I am actually fairly shy when you first meet me.

Performer that inspires me: Ruby McKinnon.

My everyday role model: my dear friend Grace Casciato.

I can’t go a day without: listening to music.

Where do I see myself in 10 years? Living my best life and helping other people live theirs, and breaking barriers and stigmas around mental health.

What are you listening to: Lana del rey and Flower Face.

Dream piece: Phantom of the Opera.

A show you binge watch: “Project Runway.”

Favorites…

Song: “Baby Teeth” by Flower Face.

Book: Looking For Alaska by John Green.

Performance: Robin Williams in

Dead Poets Society.

Musical genre: Indie or Pop.

Instrument: French horn.

Class: Art.

Movie: Coraline.

Phone App.: Pinterest.