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When the boys snap to, everyone else
comes to attention, too — usually with standing applause.
It's the Aquinas Institute color guard
in red, black and white and they're going to put on a show in
New Orleans Saturday, trying for a national title.
The Aquinas boys already have a long stream of titles — International
Color Guard Circuit Champions, Canadian Open Champions, Optimist
International Champions, Erie County Champions, and New York
State Fair Champions.
Their New York State American Legion title entitles them to
be in the American Legion National contest at the Legion's 50th
anniversary convention this week in New Orleans, LA.
Precision and uniformity is the key to being a championship
team, according to the instructor, the Rev. John Whitley. "The
contest is based on 100 points. For every mistake or detail
out of place called a "tick" (one-tenth of a point) is deducted.
Contests have been won by hundredths of a point."
First, there is the standing inspection. Every detail is checked
— the angle of the hat, the haircut (no hair over the collar),
cleanliness of uniform, the trouser crease, shoes laced identically,
metal polished. A dangling thread can cost precious tenths of
points.
During the 5-minute show the marching is checked for "distance
and interval"; the rifle handlers for the exact position of
the hand, the angle of the arm, the precision of the twirling
(Whitley noted that this group is one of the few that twirls
in the air); the flag line for method of carrying, presenting
and handling the banners.
The 16 guard members and six substitutes
are flying to New Orleans today. They'll have sightseeing and
museum trips Sunday and march in the Legion parade Monday night.
They will return Tuesday.
The group is sponsored by Irondequoit
American Legion Post No. 134 and is being financed by the band
boosters and the boys' parents. "We intend for this to be an
educational trip as well," Fr. Whitley said.
Commander of the guard is James Allen,
16, 471 Falstaff Road, Irondequoit, a senior at Aquinas who
has been with the group three years. He gives the commands and
leads the group with a saber and has won several "Best Commander"
trophies.
Another award winner is drummer David
Rigby, 17, 33 Curlew St., who is also president of the Aquinas
Band. The drum is the only instrument in a color guard and is
used to mark the cadence.
Other members of the group include:
American flag, James Curtis; sidearm, Robert Schrader; rifles,
Bob Andrews, Terry Brookins, Phil Knight, Bill Correnti and
Garry Miller; flag line, John Hall, Steve Martone, Bob Colby,
Wayne Rabideau, Dan Kinney, Terry Gleason and Tom Cottrone and
Manager, Dennis Kauffman.
The Aquinas color guard is over 35 years
old. Its first director was John Cummings, now director of the
Monroe County Parks Band. "We did not go in for competition
until around 1960 and since then we have won five state championships,"
Fr. Whitley said.
The guard has been in contests almost
every weekend. "We feel this is a worthwhile activity and keeps
the boys involved in something over the summer. It is a chance
for them to get together with others who share this interest,"
Fr. Whitley said.
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Aquinas Guard Places Fourth
The Times-Union Mon., Sept. 9, 1968
Aquinas Institute of Rochester placed
fourth in the American Legion National Color Guard Contest Saturday
in New Orleans, finishing only seven-tenths of a point out of
the top spot.
The 17-member color guard received 93.5
of a possible 100 points and also had the highest "general effect"
rating of all the 50 units competing in the event. The units
represented each state in the Union.
The Rev. John R. Whitley, Aquinas color
guard instructor, said the "general effect" rating meant that
the group was "most pleasing to the eye."
Contest champions, the White Tornadoes
from Momence, Ill., had the high rating in the other general
area of marching and maneuvering.
"We were disappointed that we came in
fourth," Father Whitley said. "Since we were competing against
the top color guards in the nation, I guess it isn't too bad.
But we were looking for first."
He noted that the group's score "was
substantially better" (about 2.3 points more) than the rating
earned in the national contest last year in Boston, when it
also placed fourth.
The other groups finishing ahead of
the Rochester unit were The Militaires of Fremont Ohio, second,
and The Greensleeves of Minneapolis.
Aquinas earned the right to compete
in the national contest by winning the state championship in
July at Syracuse.
Tonight, the Aquinas group will be color
guard for the New York delegation in the legion's 50th anniversary
convention parade, which is expected to last seven hours.
"This was an educational and cultural
experience," Father Whitley said, speaking of the trip. "We
wanted to be able to get a taste of New Orleans."
The group is to return to Rochester
by plane about 11:15 p.m. tomorrow.
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