Carol Rosas’s journey with drum corps began in 2006 when her first child joined Pacific Crest. Over the years, three of her children have marched in drum corps, and Carol has become a dedicated and invaluable member of the community. Her volunteer work started in 2012 with the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets after her daughter was accepted into the corps. Equipped with little more than an outdoor oven on wheels and several Igloo coolers, Carol quickly adapted to the ever-changing demands of drum corps life. Recognizing that standard meals were insufficient to meet the athletic needs of the members, she pioneered a nutrition-focused approach to meal preparation, designing menus that remain in use today.
In 2016, Carol joined The Bluecoats, following her daughter’s transition to the World Class division. With access to a dedicated kitchen trailer, Carol elevated her operations, preparing over 200 meals across five menus, four times a day. Her professional experience in triage settings proved invaluable, allowing her to adjust entire menus or make on-the-spot modifications as challenges arose.
In 2017, Carol returned to Pacific Crest to support her daughter’s desire to follow in her brothers’ footsteps. She volunteered intermittently throughout the tour and fully committed to the 2019 season, including most training camps. Beyond meal preparation, Carol took on a leadership role, mentoring volunteers by assigning tasks that matched their strengths and fostering a positive, collaborative environment in the kitchen. She also connected with corps members, offering encouragement as they passed through the meal lines, living by her motto: “I feed champions.”
Carol’s passion, expertise, and dedication have made her an integral part of every drum corps she has served. Her commitment to creating nutritious, high-quality meals and fostering a supportive atmosphere has left a lasting impact on the drum corps community.