Winter Guard Holds Home Show, Heads to Championships

(Submitted by Robbin Chaber Allen)

Newtown High School's newly renovated gym was the perfect setting on March 26 to host 37 color guard units from three states , and a percussion exhibition from New Jersey's Ramsey High School.

The Winter Extravaganza, Newtown's "Home Show" for the Musical Arts Conference (MAC) Winter Guard season, was the largest home show to date.
 
Graceann Hanulik, co-chairperson of the event for the last three years along with Angela Charles (and also for two years prior) said she was delighted at the turnout, and so grateful to the more than 85 parents of Newtown Marching Band and Guard members who worked for hours at the event. 

"This show is a very important fundraiser for us, because it benefits the entire Newtown Marching Band and Guard," she explained. Toward that end, 20-plus Newtown band members acted as hosts and guides for the visiting high school and college winter guards.
 
Spectators and visiting guards praised the level of organization, and raved at the quality and selection of food that was served in the school's new cafe. Food commitee chairperson Michelle Buzzi was credited by both co-chairs as having worked tirelessly to pull her committee of food prep, cooks, servers and cashiers together.

"I love coming to Newtown's shows. You guys always do it right!", said an enthusiastic parent of a Norwalk High School Guard member as she prepared to dig into her plate of baked ziti with meatballs and a pulled pork sandwich.
 
Mrs. Charles was quick to identify the high school's custodians, security guards and administration for being "so great to work with".  She said that months of planning and a high-level of detail management are key to the event's annual success.

The show was capped with exhibition performances by the three Newtown Winter Guard divisions of eight juniors, 16 junior varsity and 21 varsity members, and a farewell ceremony for the seven Newtown Winter Guard seniors who performed for the last time in front of their cheering hometown crowd. 

Graduating seniors include Varsity Captains Victoria Braga, Melissa Charles, Nicole Scalora and Sarah Smith, as well as Olivia DeWald, Missy Metcalfe and Alyssa Wade.
 
On Saturday April 3, all three Newtown Winter Guards will compete at the MAC Championships at Trumbull High School. The Varsity Guard will then continue on to Dayton Ohio for the World Guard Internationsal (WGI) championships the following weekend.