Idealist Rob: On becoming a WGI HSA National Finalist for the First time in 1993.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

On becoming a WGI HSA National Finalist for the First time in 1993.

As historical commentary, I founded a group from Lassiter High School in 1983 and 1984 called "Design." Design in its first year, placed as a class A finalist at the Pensacola WGI Regional. And in its two-years' existence, brought home 27 first-place trophies only 3 second place trophies, 2 Sweepstakes awards,and one silver medal in 1983, and the SCGC gold in 1984. (Yes, I am bragging, mostly on the girls achievement in such a short period of time.) In its second year, Design hosted the first WGI Regional in Georgia at Lassiter HS in 1984. Participants included Pride of Cincinnati and Choctawhatchee, each winning their respective classes. Design earned the silver spot in A class, and after this qualification for WGI Nationals in 1984, two weeks prior to our departure to Dayton, Lassiter's principal, Doug Allen, contrived to pull us out of the competition under Georgia High School Athletic Association (GHSA) rules, and succeeded--deposits were lost, buses and hotel reservations were cancelled. This painful experience had left Lassiter girls emotionally wounded, so the parents of Lassiter Band took a strong stand to convince GHSA to amend their rules to allow for winter guard to be included in the state of Georgia and to compete in WGI events in future years, but not soon enough for Design to make its debut at WGI Nationals. It was a silly administrative decision, because now every school in Cobb County, Georgia has a winter guard, and many have become finalists and even champions, thanks to the Lassiter parents opening the door to this opportunity to compete at WGI.

I left Lassiter to organize a new group, Walton HS winter guard. It was first called "Fashion" because still, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) would not allow us to officially compete using the school name; thus we were "Fashion of Walton HS". The first year, Walton was promoted to class A, having started in Novice class, and scored highest among the promoted groups. These founding members paved the way for growth, excellence, and the building of traditions. In it's second year, Walton competed and placed as finalist at the Dayton, Ohio, and Pensacola Regionals. In 1991, Walton placed 11th in WGI prelims at Springboro HS, but at the time, only the top 10 were accepted into finals. Walton earned the silver medal at the South Florida Regional in its 4th year, in 1992. Only 4 girls remained to compete in 1993.

Walton made finals for the first time in its 5th year, in 1993. Comprised of fifteen rookies, and only 4 vets to color guard, Walton earned the 10th place spot in finals. To walk in the tunnel as a finalist and as a rookie guard was incredible. The young girls did not even know what they had achieved--until they saw Escapade perform in World Class, and saw their A Class competitors.Then, they were inspired and knew that that had accomplished something great for a rookie guard. These young ladies earned their place but also reaped the reward that the Lassiter girls and parents sacrificed in their winter guard program nine years before. Of course, my personal pain and sense of loss with the Lassiter experience (caused by cruel administrators and dirty politics, in my opinion) was redeemed when walking in that tunnel for the first time. Lassiter's hope and "Design" was filled by "Fashion" carrying on the stylistic traditions established at Lassiter. I told the girls..."Now, you are among the best in the nation. You don't have to win, as far as I am concerned, because if you are among the best, you are honored to be in great company."

That since has become my personal motto in my personal life, in my professional life, and in winter guard. Winter guard gives us the strength to endure, to seize the moment, and to honor the past in order to build a better future for participants yet to compete at WGI.