After four years spinning flags, tossing rifles and building a community, Coppell High School senior Pia Lala prepares to take her final bow with the Coppell Color Guard.
But not without leaving a lasting impact on those who have shared the floor with her.
Lala first discovered CCG through her siblings, including CHS 2024 graduate Ansh Lala, attending marching band performances in middle school and falling in love with the performers spinning brightly colored flags and rifles. With a background in dance and theater, she was drawn to the artistry and athleticism of the sport.
“I auditioned during the pandemic through video auditions, so I had no idea how to do anything,” Lala said. “I actually started off as one of the only alternates in a guard of 60-plus people.”
Although she began as an alternate, she finished as a two-year captain, a testament to her relentless work ethic.
“I think especially freshman year, I started learning the importance of work ethic and realizing that practice does make perfect,” Lala said. “Learning from my own mistakes helped me so much.”
Her leadership journey began early. As a sophomore, Lala captained the junior varsity guard during its first-ever trip to world championships in Ohio. That experience helped her grow by teaching her communication skills, the power of encouragement and how to balance friendship and leadership.
“I’ve learned to maintain a strong sense of leadership for my team while also being a friend when they need one,” Lala said.
CCG director Justin Lum thinks these aspects of Lala’s personality make her a great leader.
“If any kid wanted to model themselves after Pia Lala, I would say ‘Go for it,” Lum said. “She is always kind and empathetic on top of being super driven.”
Beyond the titles and trophies, it is the relationships and energy Lala values most.
“My favorite aspect of guard is honestly the blocks we do, the repetitive practice,” Lala said. “It sounds tedious, but I love hyping everyone up, keeping the energy alive and making sure we all want to be great together.”
For Lala, CCG became more than an activity. It became a family.
“I’ve spent more time with the guard than I have at home,” Lala said. “It’s taught me perseverance, leadership and how to be a better person overall.”
Her teammate and sophomore CCG lieutenant Kate Sierra says the feeling is mutual.
“Pia was one of the first people to help me,” Sierra said. “She taught me tricks that got me onto higher weapon lines. She’s so kind, she makes you feel like you’re supposed to be there.”
Sierra credits Lala’s positivity and personalized support for much of her own success.
“She doesn’t just say, ‘Throw it higher’ — she breaks it down and shows you how,” Sierra said. “No one else could ever do the things Pia does the way she does them.”
As the team prepared senior gifts, Sierra said they made sure to show their appreciation — including personal notes from underclassmen, candy and a decorated crate in Lala’s favorite colors.
“I’m honestly really sad she’s leaving,” Sierra said. “She’s such a vital part of the guard.”
Lala will be missed by both her peers and teachers.
“She just has such undeniable leadership qualities that you’re like ‘Yeah, she is the Color Guard captain,” Lum said. “She’s very involved and I’m always so proud.”
Looking back, Lala said her greatest accomplishment isn’t a medal or a title — it’s the community she helped build.
“We used to just want to win,” Lala said. “Now, we want to be good because we’ve worked so hard together. We want to make our performances speak for themselves.”
Through initiatives such as team gatherings and mentorship programs Lala helped foster a tight-knit environment she hopes will continue after graduation.
While the University of Michigan, where Lala is heading in the fall, does not have a traditional color guard, she plans to stay involved through independent groups and perhaps by helping choreograph local programs.
Even as she looks forward to her future, leaving is bittersweet.
“During the last three performances, I cried,” Lala said. “I’m just so grateful for everything Guard gave me: confidence, resilience and a second family.”
Lala’s story is not just about spinning a perfect rifle toss or leading a winning team. It is about how, through hard work, heart and a lot of encouragement, one shy freshman became the senior everyone looks up to and will deeply miss.
“I think no matter what Pia does, whatever she sets her mind to, she’s going to be great at it,” Lum said. “She’s a great example of ‘You will be amazing if you want to be.”
Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.
