NHS Color Guard Earns ‘Best Guard’ Title

The 26-member Color Guard of Newtown High School’s Marching Band & Guard was named “Best Guard” in the Class V Open of the Yamaha Cup, a United States Scholastic Band Association (USSBA) competition that was held at MetLife Stadium, formally the Meadowlands, in East Rutherford, N.J., this past Saturday, October 15.

Besting six other high schools, Newtown’s performance thrilled the packed stadium and elicited thunderous applause as guard members executed intricate and precise equipment maneuvers and synchronized dance moves.

 The main weapons line comprises juniors Victoria Hanulik (captain), Caitlin Fitz Gerald and Brandon Ghent, sophomore Paige Thanasoulis, freshmen Courtney Datin, Kayleigh Granville, and Kelsea Morshuk, and Newtown Middle School eighth grader Cammie Gaudett. The main weapon line is joined by Closing Rifle specialists seniors Sara Hetzer (captain) and Jess Sideleau, juniors Grace Hubbard and Meaghan Kelly, and freshmen Kenzie Casey and Maddy Hintzen.

Completing the guard roster are flag specialists senior Grace McKinley (captain) and, juniors Cherokee Belval, Haley Malin and Melissa Christiano, sophomore April Corbo, freshmen Nina Bonvini, Sarah Braga, Alex Coscia, Caitlin Jones, Brittany O’Donnell, and Brittany Violet, and NMS eighth grader Beck Romano, who uses a series of three elegant flags to add more color to Newtown’s show. Newtown Color Guard is instructed by Janos Pergely, Michele Liscio, and Tori Whittington.

Fifty-eight marching bands and guards from high schools throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic competed at the event on Saturday.

NHS Band Director Kurt Eckhardt was delighted with his band’s performance. He also said he felt great pride in the entire band’s execution, which earned Newtown a score of 83.425, just 2.688 points away from first place.

Drill Instructor and Newtown’s “In Sania” show creator Bob Findley also expressed his appreciation for the Marching Band & Guard’s delivery, saying, “It’s very clear they are getting more and more comfortable with our show. They get better each week. I’m very pleased with their performance tonight.”

 This Saturday, October 22, the NHS Marching Band & Guard will compete in the Musical Arts Conference (MAC) CT Open at Kennedy Stadium in Bridgeport in its march toward the November 12 MAC Championships.