Lauren Fort has been involved in the marching arts for more than two decades and currently serves as the 6th–12th Grade Color Guard Director for Muskogee Public Schools, where she has led and developed the program since 2011. A graduate of Union High School and Northeastern State University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education, Mrs. Fort chose to pursue her passion for the performing arts by dedicating her career to teaching and mentoring young performers through color guard.

Throughout her tenure in Muskogee, Mrs. Fort has remained committed to building programs that emphasize excellence, personal growth, leadership, and a lifelong appreciation for the activity. Her dedication to students and the marching arts was recognized in 2019 when she was named WGPO Director of the Year. Under her leadership, Muskogee’s color guard programs have continued to grow and achieve success while fostering an environment where students are encouraged to thrive both on and off the performance floor.

Beyond her work with students, Mrs. Fort is a passionate advocate for arts education and enjoys mentoring young educators and performers. She remains a lifelong student of the activity and continually seeks opportunities to expand her own knowledge while helping others do the same.

Mrs. Fort has been married to her husband for 18 years and is the proud mother of Kennedy, a member of the Rougher Regiment Color Guard. Their family also includes two corgis and a Belgian Malinois. Outside of color guard, she enjoys historical reenactments, Renaissance festivals, professional mermaid performance, and is an unapologetic Taylor Swift fan.

Whether teaching a beginner their first drop spin or preparing students for a championship-caliber performance, Mrs. Fort believes that the greatest rewards of the marching arts come from the confidence, resilience, and sense of community students develop through the experience.