Three Eden Prairie High School graduates spent their summer on the road, performing in cities around the United States as part of drum and bugle corps.

For Larysa Euteneuer, Becky Bercich, and Emily Hanson it was a summer that included practice, practice and more practice. It paid off, as the three all ended with stunning shows at the Drum Corps International World Championship Finals. There, Euteneuer’s team, the Phantom Regiment, placed first.

“It was absolutely an amazing experience,” said Euteneuer.

All three young women were in the color guard sections for their teams. For Euteneuer, that meant wearing an outfit that included spears, swords, shields and chains -- in keeping with group’s performance titled “Spartacus.” “Our show was very theatrical this year.”They really focused on trying to connect with the audience, she added. “We were definitely the crowd pleaser show this year”

To join with the Phantom Regiment, Euteneuer had to audition back in Thanksgiving of her senior year.

According to the Drum Corps International Web site, “Each year, more than 8,000 students audition for the fewer than 3,500 positions available in top-tier DCI member corps.”

Emily Hanson joined up with the Blue Stars this year, and Becky Bercich returned to drum and bugle corps for a second year, this time with the Carolina Crowns.

Bercich’s Crowns, who performed “Finis” based on a composer’s search for the perfect ending, placed fourth at the championships, while Hanson’s Blue Stars, who performed a show based on the Tour de France, placed eighth.

For those getting involved in drum and bugle corp., the journey is by no means a cakewalk.

Euteneuer had to finish high school early because practice started May 20.

She was gone for the last three weeks of school, then came back for graduation.

Hanson noted that the experience involved “constantly practicing.” Still she noted that her favorite part was performing.

The performers would sleep in high school gyms and practice from 8 in the morning to 10 at night, said Euteneuer.

The difference between work on high school color guard activities and traveling with the drum and bugle corps, was “almost like night and day,” said Bercich.

She described the work as 10 to 14 hours a day for three months.“There’s a big difference in how much time you put into it.”

While all three Eden Prairie natives were on separate corps, they did run across each other on the road.

 “It was really good to have them on the road with me,” said Euteneuer.

“It was really good to see their faces and get a little feeling of home every once in a while.”

(From left) Becky Bercich, Larysa Euteneuer and Emily Hanson all pose for a photo after a competition.