Continuing the undefeated streak in the Juniors Division, the youngest level of Newtown’s Winter Guard program, the group once again took home the first place trophy on Saturday, March 14, at the Musical Arts Conference (MAC) competition held at Shelton High School. 

Breaking a 70 for the first time with a solid 72.2, the Newtown juniors, made up of fifth and sixth graders from Reed Intermediate School, handily defeated rival Bethel with a performance that included an equipment exchange during which two guard members traded catches, a level of skill uncommon for the junior category.

At the Junior Varsity level, Newtown narrowly missed third place by 1.3 points. Short two members due to injury and scheduling conflicts, the remaining 21 students, ranging in age from seventh to tenth graders, delivered a strong performance against Varsity-level guards from six other high schools, earning a 74.35.

The Newtown High School Varsity Winter Guard, under the direction of NHS Band Instructor Kurt Eckhardt, gained ground against rival Norwalk High School, cutting the point difference between the two teams in half, with Newtown earning a score of 75 to bring home the second place trophy in the Scholastic Open division.

Newtown and Norwalk, along with six other of the best high school Scholastic Open guards from throughout the Northeast, will meet again this weekend at the Winter Guard International (WGI) Northeast Championships, being held at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J., on March 21–22.

Newtown’s Juniors and Junior Varsity guards will be competing at a MAC competition on Saturday, March 21, at Jonathan Law High School in Milford.