Nighthawks’ Winter Guard Wins Top Honors

By Larissa Lytwyn

Both the Nighthawks’ Junior Varsity and Varsity Winter Guard teams won first place in a show that marked the last home performance of nine Varsity seniors, including Captains Sarah Devellis, Courtney DiBeneditto, and Stacy Tomasko.

“Being in the guard requires a lot of coordination and a good sense of rhythm,” noted Tanya Whippie, whose sister, Karen Whippie, is a varsity member.

The program schedule, including schools from Bethel, Shelton, Trumbull, Brookfield, Cheshire, Norwalk, and even Ramsey, N.J., was organized according to the level of class advancement, from Novice to Scholastic Regional A, Scholastic A and finally, Scholastic Open.

Each team gave an approximate eight-minute performance.

The excitement generated throughout the evening, stretching from 6 to 11 pm, began in the Newtown High School lobby, where guard parents sold school or guard-related sweatshirts, flags, and other items.

Guard parents largely make all costumes, flags, and other materials, noted Donna Tomasko, mother of Varsity Captain Stacy Tomasko.

Much of the money needed for such an endeavor comes from such show-correlated sales.

Once inside the gym, the sounds of anticipation, especially between performances, is palpable. Family, friends, and supporters fill the bleachers, piercing the air with cheers when guard members perform a cartwheel or effortlessly throws and catches their flag.

Junior Varsity participants drew from a distinctive Wild West-style motif for their prize-winning interpretation of the “Western Frontier.” Donning Cowboy hats and red bandannas, Captains Connie Ricciardi and Lauren Hebert led the 14-member team into a series of complex moves evoking a sun-blazed desert landscape.

The sequence soon segued into the twirling of rich yellow- and peach-colored flags.

As the home team finished with a final flag-tossing flourish, the crowd roared.

Later in the evening, the Varsity Guard performed its award winning rendering of “Revolution: Everything that has a Beginning has an End,” drawn from the film, Matrix: Revolutions.

 “The kids [on both teams] were so excited to win first place,” declared Judy Rosentel, a guard parent.

Bob Findley directs both guards teams.

Junior Varsity instructors are Matt Kullberg and Krystina Staskiewicz. Varsity instructors are Helen Rosada, Cathy Brauer, and Alyssa Belcher.

The Nighthawks’ Winter Guard is a member of the Musical Arts Conference (MAC). For more information, visit www.musicalartsconference.com