Aquinas Color Guard Triumphs
Aquinas Institute's crack Color Guard won first place recently
it competition at Toronto, Ont. The contest, sponsored by the
Optimists International, is an annual event in the Canadian
city.
Last year Aquinas took first place in the competition and this
year successfully defended its championship. Second place was
won by the Michael Power Knights, a group from Bishop Power
High school which is operated by the Basilian Fathers who conduct
Aquinas.
James Allen is color guard commander and David Rigby drummer
for the 17-man precision team. Father John R. Whitley is instructor.
Aquinas Guard Captures Title in Canadian
Meet
Aquinas' blue-ribbon Color Guard won the Canadian Open Championship
in an international competition held at St. Catherine's, Ontario,
last Sunday.
The win brought the total of Aquinas trophy’s over the 50 mark
since 1964 when the unit was formed here.
The Rochesterians took their gold trophy with a score of 95.14
out of a possible 100 points. Sherburne High (Ontario) Guard
took second place, while third spot went to West Genesee High
of Camillus, N.Y.
Jim Allen, captain of Aquinas' 17-man precision unit, received
the best male captain award. Kathy McGrail of the Blue Angels
received the best girl captain award.
Besides their new title, the local Guard members are also currently
International Color Guard Circuit champs; Erie County champions
and Optimists International champions.
Aquinas Band Tops 'Em All
The Aquinas Institute Marching Band took first place yesterday
in the pageant of bands in Springville.
Thomas Ellison, 17 of 70 Albemarle St., an Aquinas junior, was
awarded a trophy as best drum major. The Aquinas color guard
won an award for the best flag line.
Albion Central School won second place in the parade contest.
Aquinas Wins Color Guard Test
Aquinas Institute's 17-man color guard captured first place
in the International Color Guard Circuit competition at the
Kenmore High School, Kenmore, Saturday evening. This marks the
second year in a row that Aquinas has taken the championship.
Aquinas earned a score of 93.45 out of a possible 100 points.
In second place was Sherburne High School of Sherburne, with
93.25. The Wildcats Color Guard from Camillus Central School
was third with
92.75.
James Allen of Aquinas won the best commander trophy. He lives
at 471 Falstaff Road, Irondequoit. The Aquinas Guard was presented
the first place trophy, the championship flag and trophies for
the best general effect and for the best marching and maneuvering.
Bishop Kearney's guard won the best drummer award.
Aquinas is currently Erie County champions, Canadian Open Champions,
Optimists International Champions and Gorham Pageant of Bands
champions, in addition to the Circuit honors.
Aquinas Guard Scores in Canada
The 17-man Aquinas Institute Color Guard took first place yesterday
in the Canadian Open Color Guard Championship in St. Catharine's,
Ontario.
The Aquinas unit won over 14 color guards participating. Its
captain, James Allen of Falstaff Road, was named best boy captain.
Kathy McGrial of North Avenue, Greece, was named best girl captain.
She is captain of the Blue Angels Color Guard in Greece. Other
guards participating included the Greece Cadets and the Wavettes
of Rochester.
The Teen Scene
It's been a busy week for many teenagers.
More Monroe County towns chose their 1968 Harvest Queens. The
new Harvest Queen of Rush is Laurie Hunt, 15, a sophomore at
Rush-Henrietta High School. Her runner-up is Beryl Stebbins,
16, a junior at Rush-Henrietta High. Lynne Seeger, 17, a junior
at R. L. Thomas High School, was named Webster's Harvest Queen.
Her runner-up is a classmate, 16-year-old Barbara Kuhn… The
Town of Riga Harvest Queen is Donna Allyn, 16, a Churchville-Chili
High School junior, and her runner-up is Paula Kenfield, 15,
a junior in the same school . . . and in Chili, the Harvest
Queen crown is worn by Barbara Schickler, 16, a sophomore at
Cardinal Mooney High School, while runner-up is Diane Hannah,16,
a junior at St. Agnes High School.
HONORS WENT ALSO TO Marguerite Rohack, 17, a senior at St. Agnes
High, who received a $200 Rochester Business Institute scholarship
as winner of a VFW Voice of Democracy contest . . . to Anita
Bailey, 16, a junior at Cardinal Mooney High. Named queen of
the 56th annual St. Anthony’s Festival to be held June 15 in
Charlotte . . . and to the 17 teen-agers
in Aquinas Institute's color guard, which placed first in the
International Color Guard Circuit competition for the second
consecutive year, and to Aquinas' James Allen, who won a trophy
as best color guard commander.
TWENTY SEVEN TEENAGERS of Asbury First Methodist Church are
back from Philadelphia, where they spent their spring vacation
doing volunteer work in slum areas. "The whole trip showed what
the other life was like," 16 year-old Kim Campbell told Times-Union
writer Judi Hill. "You can't find that out in books. I think
that the kids who went are now more willing to help here."
Aquinas Guard Finds Practice Pays Off
By WHIT JOHNSON
Happiness for one group of Aquinas students is performing an
intricate marching drill featuring subtle flag movements and
breath-taking rifle twirls before a large audience.
This group, the Aquinas Institute Color Guard, was very happy
last Saturday night in Kenmore, N.Y., when they captured the
International Color Guard Circuit championship. This was the
second year in a row that the local boys took first, place.
The circuit is made up of the top guards in New York State,
Ontario and Quebec.
Color guard shows are lively but their practice sessions resemble
a three-ring circus. On the gym floor the flag line is getting
instruction in marching routines. In another spot, a half dozen
rifle carriers practice throwing their rifles high into the
air, each gaining maximum height together and each returning
into the hands of the boy at the same precise moment. All by
himself, the captain practices sending his 24- inch saber 30
feet up and catching it without breaking his stride. Oblivious
to all this activity, managers are pacing off the exact dimensions
of the floor (40' x 60') and placing posting standards at proper
intervals to receive the flag poles during the show.
The fact that all these seemingly uncoordinated groups are eventually
brought together into an effective drill team is a tribute to
the drive and sustained effort of the boys.
The Aquinas effort paid off in Kenmore, culminating months of
practice and lesser competitions. Jim Allen, Aquinas' commander,
walked off with the best leader trophy. The team won the right
to carry the coveted championship flag in all parades and also
received the championship cup. Aquinas was also cited for having
the best general effect and for the highest marching and maneuvering
score.
As for the future, according to director Father John Whitley,
the guard will compete for the American Legion State title in
Syracuse July 27.
Aquinas Victorious
Rochester area color guards captured the top five spots in the
annual International Flag Pageant this weekend at Clarence,
a Buffalo suburb.
Aquinas Institute's crack 17-man color guard was first. Webster's
Highlanders came in second and the Greece Wavettes were third.
Bishop Kearney and the Emerald Cadets were next on the final
scorecard.
Thirteen color guards competed. Aquinas was defending champion
in the international circuit and currently is ranked fourth
in the country by the American Legion.
Aquinas Color Guard
Seventeen Aquinas students, all members of the school's crack
Color-Guard, will compete tomorrow evening, Dec. 9, in Sherburne,
N.Y.
The Aquinas group will be among fourteen Guards from New York
Sate taking part in a Preview of Champions, sponsored by the
Sherburne Central School. Other area Guards in competition include
Bishop Kearney, the Wavettes, the Emerald Cadets and the Shamrocks
of Shortsville.
Last year Aquinas walked off with the top prize at the contest
but will be hard put to repeat this year. The Aquinas Guard
lost ten members through graduation.
Aquinas Color Guard commander is James Allen of St. James parish.
Success of 1968 Guard
In the past years at Aquinas, the Color Guard had taken many
top honors throughout the country but as September of this past
school year rolled around, the hope of having another first
place Guard seemed very slim. With only four veterans there
was much to be done in forming a 17-man precision unit before
the first competition, in early December. When December came,
the unit was shaky, and they took second place honors in our
first show of 1967-68. As time progressed so did the Color Guard
and by the beginning of April they had already made a name for
themselves. The rifles are ranked as best in the State, and
when our six men "twirl" they appear to be acting as one man.
Pat Casey is captain of the rifles and he has molded them into
the finest that the school has ever seen.
Supplying the drive and spirit of our Guard is drummer, Dave
Rigby. In eight shows he has taken five best drummer trophies.
The flags add color and spectacular effects to the show. They
shine, twirl, and maneuver in such a way that the audiences
are kept clapping and cheering throughout the entire show. The
Aquinas Color 'Guard is currently Canadian champions and hope
to take first place in the Circuit Show on April 27. To date,
the Guard has taken 4 firsts, 3 seconds, and 1 third which is
a very impressive record for a new guard.
Even though the drumming is excellent and the flag and rifle
work is good, most of the guard's success must be credited to
one man, Father Whitley. Father has given them drive, determination.
and most important — the will to win because they are Aquinas.
This devoted priest has made the guard much of what it is today.
Another factor which certainly contributes to the excellence
of this year's guard is their junior captain. James Allen, the
first junior to ever hold the post of captain, has been a constant
force in the guard's shows. This is manifest in the overwhelming
number of "best captain" trophies he has brought to AQ.
One thing is certain with this year's guard, they can and will
bring home many honors over the summer season.
Color Guard Wins Again For Aquinas
Aquinas Institute of Rochester won the New York State color
guard championship in competition yesterday afternoon in Syracuse.
The Aquinas squad competing against 19 others from around the
state, scored 94.75 of a possible 100 points in competition
during a parade at the 50th anniversary convention of the State
American Legion.
The championship is the second for Aquinas, which previously
won in 1966. "To my knowledge, this is the first time the same
guard has repeated in recent years," said the Rev. John Whitley,
instructor of the Aquinas guard.
In other competition in Syracuse yesterday, the Webster Highlanders
Girl's Drill Team won the state drill competition with a score
of 93.5.
And the Aquinas Institute, band took second place in the concert
and marching band competition.
Aquinas Color Guard to Compete
The Aquinas Institute Color Guard will try to add to its string
of championship titles early next month at a national competition
in ' New Orleans, La.
The 17-member Color Guard, which includes flag and rifle carriers,
is the current New York State American Legion champion and will
compete for American Legion national honors Sept. 7.
The Aquinas Color Guard is also the 1965 International Color
Guard Circuit Champion and the Optimists International Champion.
This is the third American Legion national competition for the
group. In 1966 it placed seventh out of 50 entries at the competition
in Washington, D.C., and last year placed fourth in Boston.
"Precision is the key word for all of this," the Rev. John R.
White, instructor of the color guard said. "The boys throw their
whole heart and soul into it."
The boys, all Aquinas students and averaging 16 years of age,
practice at least once a week for a couple of hours all-year
long. Before major competitions, like this one, however, they
practice every night for two weeks.
"These are all-around boys," Father Whitley said. "They're active
in sports, many are top students, and several work. Sometimes
they come to practice dead-tired after working all day."
But it's fun, he said, and "when this ceases to be fun, to be
enjoyable for them, then, I would just close up."
The color guard band performs so often, Father Whitley said,
that it's difficult to remember all of them. They performed
at Red Wing Stadium (now Silver Stadium) for Memorial Day and
were asked to return for another performance Monday, Aug. 26.
The two groups performed for thousands of people one week end
two weeks ago. with a shows for an exhibition professional football
games in Toronto and Rochester and at the Rochester Aqua Festival.
JAMES R. ALLEN
Aquinas Senior Named to West Point
 James
R. Allen, 17, an Aquinas Institute senior and captain of the
championship Aquinas: Color Guard, has been appointed to the
U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Allen was notified of his
appointment by Rep Frank Horton, R-36th District.
Allen, sons a Mr. and Mrs Robert C. Allen, 471 Falstaff Road,
Irondequoit, is a .member of St. James parish. He is slated
to report at the Academy on July 1.
Military life will not be altogether new to Allen. As a member
of the Aquinas Color Guard he has drilled weekly for the past
four years. He has marched in nearly 200 parades, including
American Legion national parades in Boston, Washington and New
Orleans. On three occasions he has commanded the Aquinas Guard
in exhibition drills before former President Lyndon Johnson.
He has been cited by the American Legion and by the Optimist
of Toronto for his outstanding performance as captain of the
Aquinas unit. Last Saturday he commanded the Aquinas Guard to
first place in the International Color Guard Circuit championships.
Allen pitches for the Aquinas varsity baseball team. Last summer
he was selected as a delegate to the New York Boys State.
The alternate designated by Horton is Nicholas T. Comb, 18,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Van P Combs of 1617 Scribner Road.
50,000 by the Numbers
 Pasting
page inserts into 50,000 telephone directories calls for a dedicated,
well-trained group, used to working at a good pace.
And what could be a more natural group for the job than the
Aquinas Institute Color Guard, which has won a host of awards
for just such disciplines.
The 50,000 directories they're working on are those given new
customers or extension users by our Installer-Repairmen. And,
like all our Metropolitan directories, they have to be updated
for All Call Dialing.
The Aquinas Color Guard bid for the job after they were approached
by Dick Brookins of Plant Service, whose son Terry, 16, an Aquinas
junior, is a member. Their bid turned out to be low.
Since the middle of April, a truck loaded with directories drives
up to Aquinas every Friday. Sundays the Color Guard members
unload it and paste the inserts into the books. They do it in
the school's gymnasium on an assembly line basis—one group unwraps
the bundles, another opens the books to the Call Guide page,
another inserts the stickers, and another group repackages the
books and reloads them. Their output is about 5,000 a weekend.
"They're a very conscientious group," Dick Brookins says. "They
got back from a competition in Canada one Sunday morning about
four o'clock, but they were all there at 1 P.M. for the directory
job."
The Color Guard probably will use the money they earn to pay
their transportation costs to the national American Legion competition
this summer in Atlanta, Ga. They placed fourth last year.
READY GUARD, BEGIN
The Aquinas Color Guard has in the past represented our school
throughout the country as one of the top drill teams in the
nation. This year, again under the direction of Father J. Whitley,
the Guard faces another tough schedule but hopes to even better
last year's performances at various tournaments.
With the season officially opening on November 23 in Utica,
the Color Guard will have its work cut out for them. During
the season it will defend the following competitions: the Optimists
International contest held in Toronto. The International Color
Guard Circuit tournament, a championship from the contest held
in Sherburne, N. Y. The Canadian Open held at St. Catherine's,
Ontario. The Bishop Kearney competition and the State Championship.
Besides traveling to these cities and trying to equal this astounding
record, the Color Guard will also journey to 10 other cities
both in the United States and Canada.
Perhaps the most impressive proof of our Guard's perfection
and excellence is its placing fourth in the nation at the annual
competition held in New Orleans this year. The interesting note
here is that the difference between first and fourth place was
a mere 7, 10ths of a point. Next August the Guard will try to
snag that first spot in the contest which will be held in Atlanta,
Georgia. The chances of the victory is strengthened by the fact
that only one member of the 1967-68 competing Guard was lost
through graduation. Returning for this year's edition will be
Captain Jim Allen, drummer Dave Rigby, as well as 10 seniors
and 6 juniors rounding out the roster.
The judging of Color Guard competitions is done through a system
of American Legion Rules and 5 judges for each tournament. As
a rule, competition often becomes extremely close, as in the
national contest, and any slight mistake can mean the difference
between winning and losing. Altogether, the entire show which
the Aquinas Color Guard performs takes 5 minutes.
"WHAT IS A COLOR GUARD CONTEST?"
The Color Guard drills presented tonight represent the culmination
of many months of rehearsals and competitions, in order to attain
the high state of precision and coordination exhibited by the
members. The following is a brief description of the rules which
govern this, and all Color Guard Contests:
Each guard is allowed 4 to 6 minutes, during which they must
execute three required maneuvers (Post and Retrieve, A Marching
Salute, and a Standing Salute) and any other drills which they
think will please the judges and spectators and gain them a
winning score. Courtesy to the — National Colors is the cardinal
rule in all Color Guard and Drum Corps drills, and severe penalties
are imposed for violations of flag etiquette.
There are four judges, in addition to a timer, involved in this
contest. The two judges on the field are called Execution Judges,
and their job is to subtract a "tick" (1/10 point) for any mistakes
in the execution of the drill, such as members out of step,
lines which are not straight, moving or talking in ranks, improper
execution of maneuvers, etc. The criterion for judging execution
is uniformity within each group.
The two judges sitting in the stands are called General Effect
Judges, and they are responsible for comparing the various color
guards in their overall effect from a spectator stand-point.
They take into account such things as difficulty, originality,
dignity, military bearing, and showmanship.
Now that you have a basic idea of what is going on, the only
thing left for you to do is sit back and enjoy the show.
Area Groups Wins State Fair Honors
Aquinas Institute's color guard took first place yesterday in
the New York State High School Band Competition at the State
Fair in Syracuse.
Hilton Central High School also scored a win when senior David
Stacco, 17, copped the honors as the state's top high school
drum major.
Stacco is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Stacco of 770 Burritt
Rd, Hilton.
Placing second in the drum major competition was Thomas Ellison,
16, of Aquinas, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ellison, 70 Albemarle
St.
Bath's Haverling Central High School Band retained its state
championship for a third year, placing first in competition
with more than 40 other bands from high schools across the state.
Kendall Central High School, Orleans County, played its way
to second place, while Aquinas finished third.
North Syracuse Central School was fourth and Hilton fifth.
The competition took place before 6,000 to 7,000 on the opening
night of the fair.
The Rev. John Whitley, Aquinas's color guard instructor, said
after winning that "the neighbors around Aquinas have been very
patient" as the school's 100-piece band practiced nightly until
9 all summer.
Aquinas's color guard captain is James Allen, 17, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Robert C. Allen of 471 Falstaff Road, Irondequoit
The band director at Aquinas, Nicholas Cattat, has headed the
group only since the beginning of the summer.
In the color guard competition, Aquinas was followed by Sherburne
Central School, Hilton and Kendall. The Aquinas guard will compete
Sept. 7 in a national American Legion contest in New Orleans.
MORE STATE FAIR
FOR THE "BIG BLUE" of Haverling Central
High School of Bath in Steuben County, it was almost routine.
They knew how it felt to win the band competition . . . they'd
done it for two years in a row.
But sitting in the grandstand, waiting
as the results were read beginning with 15th place, they clutched
hands and listened as one after another competitor was eliminated.
"In 10th place, Penn Yan Academy with a
score of 74.30, Ninth, West Genesee, 77.4, Eighth, Bainbridge,
78.20, Seventh, Albion, 78.65, Sixth, Sherburne - Earlville,
80.80."
Amid the
roars
that greeted
the
announcements, they applauded
briefly,
then quieted
quickly to listen to the top five winners.
"Fifth,
Hilton, 80.85, Fourth, North Syracuse, 81.75, Third, Aquinas,
81.90.
Then, at
last, "Second, Kendall; 85.35; First, Haverling, 86.05."
SCREAMING, CRYING, cheering, the Haverling
group hoisted band director Luther Hoffman to their shoulders
and carried him to the dirt race track where they had performed
to receive the trophy.
There he and the other top five directors
and band presidents grinned broadly as they were awarded their
trophies, patting each other on the backs and bantering, "Boy,
you sure looked great out there. Don't know how we won, but
well take it."
Kendall's director, Richard Roberson, with
tears in his eyes and a choked voice, said, "I'll tell you how
I feel about this as soon as my heart gets down out of my throat."
The Royal Blues of Kendall had almost decided
not to complete this year at the Fair. "But then we decided
to just come and put on a good show and enjoy ourselves. We
really didn't come with the thought we could place this high
. . . But it's great!" Roberson grinned. They placed seventh
last year.
THE WINNING BAND received the Gov. Rockefeller
Trophy and $400. The remaining four of the top five also received
trophies and $200 for second, $125 for third, $100 for fourth,
and $75 for fifth.
 The
Aquinas Band, in capturing third place, drew the greatest spectator
response to its performance. A stylized version of the "Battle
Hymn of the Republic" played in a concert formation facing the
crowd and featuring a presentation of colors brought judges
and spectators alike to edges of their seats. A snappy precision
rifle manual also caught the eyes of the judges who awarded
first place to the Aquinas Color Guard.
For Hilton's Crimson Cadets, second for
two years in a row, the fifth place disappointment was tempered
by David Stacco's victory in the drum major category.
Clad in crisp white against the black and
red band uniforms, he was striking with his high stepping strut
and precise baton motion.
The 17-year old recent graduate of Hilton
played the clarinet in the band for five years before becoming
drum major last year.
(Graduating seniors are permitted to compete
the summer following their commencement.)
AMONG OTHER awards won by Greater Rochester
bands were: Haverling, second, drum major teams; first, twirling
teams; fifth, color guard; Kendall, Jane Harden-Brook, first,
majorette; fourth, twirling teams and color guards. Hilton,
second twirling teams; third color guard; Albion, fifth, drum
major; Aquinas, second, drum major; Penn Yan, second, majorette.
Rifle in foreground was dropped by one
of Aquinas color guard but they won anyway.
42 Bands To Vie At State Fair
The music of 42 -high school bands will mark the opening day
of the State Fair in Syracuse Tuesday when more than 3,600 students
compete in the 11th annual High school Bands Competition.
The competition is an event of the Fair's Youth Days, Tuesday
and Wednesday.
The bands will parade in front of the grandstand all day vying
for $900 in cash awards and 35 trophies. Competitive categories
include open class marching with the Governor's Trophy and $400
awarded to the winner, best drum major, best drum major team,
best drum majorette, best color guard and best twirling unit.
Several area bands participating in the competition have already
won awards. The Aquinas Institute Band. a former state champion,
now has a color guard which is International Color Guard Circuit
Champion, Canadian Open Champion and Erie County and Optimists
International Champions.
Holley Central School Band has been a state champion for six
years and this year won the "Maid of the Mist" pageant in Niagara
Falls.
Other participating area bands are from Albion Central School,
Attica Central, Hilton High, Haverling Central in Bath; Interlaken
Central, Kendall Central, Mt. Morris Central and Penn Yan Academy.
Aquinas Guard Circuit Champs
Aquinas Institute's color guard won the International Color
Guard Circuit championship Saturday night, topping 17 other
units at Bishop Kearney High School.
Aquinas, scoring 94.3 points out of a possible 100, won trophies
for best general effect, for best marching and maneuvering,
and the first place trophy.
The circuit is comprised of 27 guards from the eastern United
States and Canada.
Sherburne Central School was second with 92.75 points; the Emerald
Cadets of Rochester and Bishop Kearney were third and fourth
respectively. Kathy McGrail of the Greece Blue Angels was named
the best captain.
Aquinas Guard Triumphs
Weekly practices, untold hours of marching and a great deal
of spirit paid off for the Aquinas Institute Band and Color
Guard last Saturday.
The 17-man precision drill squad captured the New York State
Guard Championship and the Band placed second in competitions
held in conjunction with the 50th Convention of the American
Legion in Syracuse.
Competing against nineteen of the top color guard groups in
the state, the Aquinas group scored 94.75 points out of a possible
100, a full point ahead of runner-up Sherburne Central School.
James Allen, an Aquinas junior from St. James parish, is guard
captain. Rifle sergeant and lone senior member of the squad
is Patrick Casey from Pius X Church. David Rigby is drummer,
from Holy Rosary.
In band competition, the Aquinas Marching Band under the direction
of Nicholas Cattat, placed second to the Mexico Central School
Band. The band was judged on the basis of a concert and a marching
field show.
The marching portion of the contest was held in Griffin Stadium
with Thomas Ellison as drum major for the 100-member Aquinas
Band.
The Aquinas guard is now qualified to compete for the national
title at the Legion national convention in New Orleans early
in September. Last year Aquinas placed fourth in the nation.
Aquinas Schedules Guard Competition Mar.
22 at Fisher
In a spectacular splash of color ushering in the spring season,
ten expertly drilled and nattily uniformed color guard units
will perform in the St. John Fisher gymnasium on Saturday, March
22.
The competition is the Aquinas Institute Invitational Color
Guard contest, a showdown contest featuring the outstanding
guards in the state. The much heralded Sherburne Guard and the
Wildcats from Camillus head the roster of competing units.
Eyeing honors also are the Bishop Kearney Guard, the Wavettes,
the Blue Angels, the Greece Cadets, the Nazareth Academy Guard,
the Emerald Cadets and the Alpine Girls.
The New York State championship Aquinas Guard will give an exhibition.
The Aquinas Guard, an integral part of the school's marching
band holds the Canadian Open championship. Last September in
New Orleans the contingent missed the national championship
by seven tenths of a point. In Toronto last Saturday the unit
won the Optimists International championship for the third consecutive
year.
Aquinas Adds New Laurels
Aquinas Institute’s crack Color Guard marched its way to first
place and the International Color Guard Circuit championship
last Saturday at Bishop Kearney High School. This marked the
third consecutive year the Catholic boys' school has won the
honor.
Competing with 17 of the top guards in New York State and Canada
Aquinas received a score of 94.2 out of a possible 100 points.
Runner up was Sherburne Central School from Sherburne, N.Y.
with a score of 92.75. The Emerald Cadets of Rochester were
third and Bishop Kearney fourth. Jim Clements of Kearney received
the best drummer award and Kathy McGrail was chosen best captain.
In addition to the first place trophy, Aquinas also received
the coveted Championship Trophy. Aquinas also received trophies
for the best general effect and best marching and maneuvering.
According to Father John R. the Aquinas Guard has been invited
to Atlanta, Ga., to compete for the national color title in
August.
11 Color Guards to Compete Saturday
Eleven color guards will compete for top honors in the Aquinas
Institute Invitational Color Guard Contest at 7:30 p.m. Saturday
in the St. John Fisher College gymnasium.
Among units competing will be the St. Patrick's Color Guard
from Baltimore, Md., and two of New York State's finest, the
Sherburne Color Guard from Sherburne, and the Wildcats from
Camillus, N.Y.
Others vying for the championship, all from the Rochester area,
will be the Bishop Kearney Color Guard which performed in Dublin,
Ireland on St. Patrick's Day, the Wavettes, the Emerald Cadets,
the newly-formed Nazareth Academy Color Guard, the Greece Cadets,
the Blue Angels, the Alpine Girls and the Webster Highlanders.
The Aquinas Marching Band the award-winning Aquinas Color Guard,
currently New York State Color Guard champions and the Canadian
Open titleholders, will put on an exhibition.
Judging will be by the All-American Judges Association.
Aquinas Guard Wins Again
The Aquinas Institute Color Guard, five-time champion color
guard of New York State, carried home another trophy yesterday
— this time from a contest at North Syracuse Central School
Saturday night.
The 17-man precision unit earned a score of 96.55 out of 100
points to capture 1st place among 15 competing guards, edging
out West Genesee Central School by eight- tenths of a point.
Sherburne Central of Sherburne, placed third with a score of
95.25. Aquinas also won the best flag line and best rifle squad
trophies.
Aquinas Guard Acts on Principle Passes
Up Big Opportunity
A matter of principle may have cost the Aquinas Institute Color
Guard the Canadian Open Championship last Saturday.
The New York State Champion Aquinas Guard committed itself to
a contest in North Syracuse Central High School on April 12.
A day after replying, the Aquinas Guard was notified of the
Canadian Open championships scheduled in, St. Catharines', Ont.,
on the same date. As defending champions and two-time winner,
the Aquinas boys were eager to go to Canada to take permanent
possession of the rotating trophy and add one more championship
to their already impressive number of titles. However, a vote
of the members taken by the director, Father John R. Whitley,
C.S.B., revealed that the boys felt obligated to their first
commitment.
But success was in store for the Aquinas group. The 17-man precision
unit earned a score of 96.55 out of 100 points to capture first
place among 15 competing guards, edging the West Genesee Central
School
Wildcats by eight tenths of a point. Sherburne Central was third
with a score of 95.25. Aquinas also won best flag line and best
rifle squad trophies.
In the St. Catharines' contest, hosted by the Chessmen Drum
Corps, the Rochester Emerald Cadets scored 91.95 to win first
place and the Canadian title. Second place was won by Bishop
Kearney High School with a score of 91.55.
Aquinas Guard Captures Honors
Aquinas Institute's crack 17- man color guard captured first
place in the annual Tournament of Flags last Saturday in Oswego.
The win marked the second victory in as many weeks for the Aquinas
boys who won the Optimist International Competition a week ago
in Toronto.
The Aquinas Guard, currently New York State champions, received
a score of 94.6 out of a possible 100 points in Oswego. Second
place winner was the Wildcat Color Guard from Camillus, N.Y.
Aquinas also received the best general effect trophy for precision
drill.
Aquinas will sponsor a color guard show at St. John Fisher College
gymnasium on Saturday, March 22 at 7:30. Heading the roster
of competing units is the famed St. Patrick's Cadets from Baltimore,
MD. The public is invited to attend.
Color Guard Takes Optimistic Outlook
The Aquinas Institute Color Guard, defending New York State
champions, took part in competition May 10 for the International
Color Guard Championship at Bishop Kearney High School. Featured
were the best guards from New York State and Canada. Aquinas
has been victorious for the past two years.
Two other important championships are in store for Aquinas in
the upcoming future. The guard will compete for the state title
in Niagara Falls on July 25, going up against fourteen other
guards in their bid for the title. The color guard was also
honored by American Legion committee invitation to compete in
Atlanta, Georgia, on August 25 for the national title. Captain
Jim Allen takes an optimistic view toward the national title
event. "Last year we lost the national title by .7 of a point.
This year we have the same guys and they're good enough to win
by at least .7 of a point."
Jim Allen To West Point
 This
year one of Aquinas' seniors has been nominated to West Point.
This is Jim Allen, well known around school for his activities
as the leader of our championship Color Guard. Since this school
is so select, few of us know too much about it, and perhaps
this article will help to solve this problem.
West Point is a four-year college which
offers one of the finest educations in this country. After graduating
from the Academy, you may attend any other graduate college
in the country at the expense of the Army. The requirements
for this school are that the student must have passing grades,
he must sincerely want to attend West Point and he must be physically
fit.
The school is located in southern New York
State about 22 miles north of New York City. West Point is an
engineering college and Jim will take the same courses offered
at any other engineering college. However, the classes are small
and the personal participation in each class seems to give the
West Point Cadet an edge over any other college freshmen.
West Point is different from any other
college in that it is run under military standards. The discipline
is rugged and, according to a Senior at this school, "if you
make it through your first year„ you will make it all the way."
Next year Jim will be a Plebe (first yearman),
and he will he allowed one leave which comes for two weeks at
Christmas time. This is hard on a cadet, because he enters the
Academy on July first, and receives this single leave for a
year and a half. Jim will have to conform to an awesome list
of requirements at the school as well as to obtain passing grades
in every subject. He will remain at West Point for four years,
after which he will probably attend a graduate school. At the
end of his education, Jim plans to make the Army his life's
work.
Discipline and Precision
at Aquinas
By Valerie Humnidcy
The triumphant Aquinas Color Guard won every championship offered
them in New York States and Canada during the 1967-1968 year.
At the National American Legion Competition in New Orleans last
September, the Guard just missed first plan by seven-tenths
of a point. They placed fourth.
What does it take to be a first-rate color
guard?
Father John Whitley, their instructor stresses
“discipline and precision." The boys must discipline their every
movement. One slip means the whole show is ruined. The only
way to avoid this is through constant practice.
And this they do — for two hours every
Friday. When an important competition is coming up, they practice
more.
Guard Captain Jim Allen adds, 'I think
we practiced all summer before the national championship.
It is not easy to become a member of this
titled group. 'It takes the new ones about a year to be ready
to march,' says Jim. "And it takes about four years to become
a championship guard.”
As a member of the color guard, you have
to be willing to devote spare time. Clubs can't interfere.
Usually shows are with about 12 other color
guards. There are indoor and outdoor shows, so competition goes
on year round. A typical year begins with indoor shows during
the winter. And then, around April, the competition shifts outdoors,
usually on football fields.
The flags are designed and made by their
carriers (most of the time with a little outside help). Uniforms,
shoes, riffles, and flags are all kept in top condition by their
owners. Father Whitley says, "The boys take better care of their
own things this way.
All member of the Color Guard are devoted
to it. In fact, to raise enough money for buses and equipment,
the fellows sponsored car washes, dinners, and have even sifted
sand for lead on a riffle range.
What type of competition does the color
guard participle in?
A contest is based on 100 points. One-tenth
of a point is deducted for every “tick”, a mistake or detail
out of place. Aquinas has 16 members and six substitutes. Each
color guard gives a four to six minute show, which must include
three main maneuvers: pass and review, posting of colors, and
presentation of the American flag.
Aquinas tries to come up with original
shows. When a member thinks of a new movement, the guard tries
it. If it's good, they put it in.
The four subdivisions within the guard
have won several individual awards. Guard Captain Jim Allen
won two "Best Captain" awards including one in the circuit.
Drummer Dove Rigby won three awards. The rifles: won the only
rifle award ever given in the competition they entered. Flags,
also, won an award.
Guard captain is Jim Allen and the drummer
is Dave Rigby. The flag bearers are Bob Colby, Wayne Rabideau,
Tom Cottrone, Steve Martone, Terry Gleason, Dan, Kinney, John
Hall, and Jim Curtis, who carries the American flag. Then there
are six rifles carried by Bob Andrew. Garry Miller, Terry Brookins,
Phil Knight, Bill Correnti, and sidearms, Bill Schrader.
The fellows seem optimistic about their
future. They are waiting February 8 when they will compete in
a show sponsored by the Wavette Color Guard at Cardinal Mooney
High School.
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