‘Winter Extravaganza’ Hosted At NHS

From taquitos in the cafeteria to trophies in the gymnasium, Newtown’s “Winter Extravaganza” hosted hundreds of Winter Guard members on Saturday, March 3.

Friends and families from high schools, colleges and independent color guard units from across New England, New Jersey and New York were invited to attend.

The Winter Extravaganza is an annual Newtown High School Color Guard event. Co-chairwomen Graceann Hanulik, who has chaired the event for the past four years, said she was gratified to see so many parents of the Newtown Marching Band and Guard program volunteer to help direct parking, serve food in the cafeteria, sell candy, sell air grams, sell baked goods, feed the judges, direct the individual guards to the warm up and staging areas, and work with students to escort the visiting guard around NHS.

“Virtually every Winter Guard family was represented,” Mrs Hanulik said. “And many of our band parents also gave hours to ensure the success of our home show. I am grateful to everyone who stepped up to make the event so successful.”

 Twenty seven winter guards competed in the Musical Arts Conference (MAC) show, along with Newtown’s three guards (Juniors, Junior Varsity and Varsity) performing for the crowd in exhibition.

At times, the cheering was almost deafening.

“I couldn’t even hear my music. I loved it,” said senior Grace McKinley, who along with fellow seniors Jess Sideleau, Sara Hetzer and Becca Tobin, were honored for their years in the Newtown Winter Guard program as they took the floor in their last performance at Newtown High School.

On Saturday, March 10, all three Newtown Winter Guards will compete in a MAC competition at Shelton High School.