2024 FFCC Virtual Yearbook

FFCC Members and Fans,

Welco 2024

We extend a warm welcome to all as we gather to commemorate the 39th Annual FFCC Championships! Since its inception in 1985, the FFCC has been dedicated to serving the vibrant marching and pageantry arts community in Florida. Our mission has been to foster both educational growth and competitive spirit among color guards, indoor percussion, and winds teams

In the previous year of 2024, our organization successfully hosted twenty one regional events spread across nine weekends. Spanning from Orange Park to Pembroke Pines, Florida, these events included our second combined show with the South Florida Winter Guard Association. The FFCC has become a home to teams from Miami to Georgia, and we are confident that you will be captivated by their performances throughout this weekend's festivities!

This year, the Ocean Center will play host to an impressive lineup, featuring two hundred and twenty-two teams across two weekends. Moreover, the FFCC will take the opportunity to honor graduates, honor society members, and scholarship recipients through various awards ceremonies scheduled throughout the weekend It is indeed a time to recognize and celebrate the unwavering commitment and dedication of our members.

To all performers, let this celebration serve as a testament to your perseverance, camaraderie, and the countless sacrifices you have made And to our cherished spectators, let us unite in raising our voices and applause in admiration of these young talents gracing the stage of the Ocean Center. They represent the beacon of hope for a promising future ahead

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for joining us this weekend and contributing to the vibrancy of the occasion - because, without a doubt, YOU belong here

Michael Higbe President, FFCC

CCadet Novice and Cadet in the FFCC are where performers begin to learn, explore, and perfect movement, equipment and performance skills. Novice and Cadet classes are exclusively for elementary and middle school performers.

THURSDAY

REGIONAL A

The Regional A Class in the FFCC are where performers begin to learn, explore, and perfect movement, equipment and performance skills. The emphasis in these classes is on t i i d d l ment of a repertoire of skills.

The divisions in our circuit are named for individuals and organizations who have influenced the growth and development of the FFCC since its inception in 1985.

ILLUSION DIVISION

In 1989, Lake Gibson HS ‘Illusion’, unde FFCC founder and Hall-of-Famer Roann the FFCC’s first Scholastic Open Class what was the highest Scholastic Class

In 1987, Lake Howell HS ‘Imagination’, u of Hall-of-Famers Michele Dershimer a became the first FFCC colorguard to b Championships finalist, placing sixth i

CENTERSTAGE DIVI IMAGINATION DIV

One of the original founding members was started under the direction of Mar Moorehouse, and based from Gainesvi Stage was known for high energy, crow members were fierce competitors with sportsmanship They enjoyed many yea of its longest continuous members.

WEEK ONE RECAP

January 20, 2024

Color Guard Premiere Central (Cadet, SRA, AAA) at DeLand HS

Cadet

Color Guard Premiere Central (Cadet, SRA, AAA) at Strawberry Crest HS

Cadet

Seminole MS

Sch. Reg. A Round 1

St. Petersburg HS

Sch. Reg. A Round 2

Bartow HS

Sch. Reg. A Round 3

Sickles HS Silver

Sch. AAA Round 1

Sickles HS

Sch. AAA Round 2

Tarpon Springs MS

Horizon Cadets

Sch. Reg. A Round 1

Effingham County JV

Sch. Reg. A Round 2

East Ridge HS

Sch. Reg. A Round 3

Lake Buena Vista HS

Sch. AAA Round 1

Tocoi Creek HS

Sch. AAA Round 2

University HS (Orange City)

Sch. AAA Round 3

Lincoln HS

SCHOLASTIC AAA FRIDAY

AAA Class competitors are teams who have grown beyond the introductory skills of Regional A Class, and are working towards growing on a regional level. The emphasis of AAA class is on the development of performer competence in equipment, movement, and performance.

e named for individuals and organizations wth and development of the FFCC since its

ION:

er the direction of FFCC Hall-of-Famers ersten, was originally an outgrowth of the colorguard and included among its d former FFCC directors, including Adam Sage, Stephen Porter, Shawn McCaig, and Kevin Griner In 1994 they were the WGI Independent Class A Bronze Medalist.

The Coast One Winterguard, based out of St. Augustine High School under the direction of FFCC Hall-of-Famer Jeff Dodd, was the FFCC’s premier Scholastic Colorguard, earning the WGI Scholastic Open Class Silver Medal in 1995, and then being a Scholastic World Class Finalist from 1996-2004 when the guard was disbanded.

COAST ONE DIVISION: ANASTASIA DIVISION:

Anastasia Winterguard, based out of Orange Park High School, was the brain child of Chris Esworthy, and under the instruction of Mike Higbe and Mary Kelley had a 20 year history with the FFCC Under the direction of Bert Creswell, they were a seven time WGI finalist and the Scholastic Class A silver medalist in 1996.

PARADIGM DIVISION:

Paradigm was an independent guard out of Lake City. An 18 year member of the FFCC, the guard started in Novice class Progressing through the years, Paradigm was a 10 time FFCC Class champion, a WGI Silver Medalist in A Class, a WGI Bronze Medalist in Open Class, and reached as high as 7th in the Independent World Class. Relocating to Daytona Beach in 2014, the guard ceased operations following the 2017 season.

SCHOLASTIC AA FRIDAY

The AA Class in the FFCC represents the first step towards becoming a nationally competitive team. AA Class is judged on the same set of criteria as Scholastic A class, and performers are expected to develop a greater skill set in movement, equipment, and performance.

circuit are named for individuals and organizations who have influenced the growth and development of the FFCC since its inception in 1985.

KERSTEN DIVISION:

Jon & Cathy Kersten helped to establish standards and practices in the early days of the FFCC, serving on the board of directors on a number of occasions over the years. Jon, seeing the need for further judge training, founded the Florida Federation of Judges Association in 1986 to help build competent judging pools for local shows Jon & Cathy also founded the Florida Marching Band Championships.

HARLOW DIVISION:

John Harlow was instrumental in the founding of the Florida Federation of Colorguards as one of its first Board members He and Roanna Combs crafted the first articles of policy and procedure in 1985 that are still the basis for this organization over thirty years later. This Division is named in honor of his work and dedication.

WIMBERLEY DIVISION:

Write up coming soon!

WEEK THREE RECAP

Premiere Perc & Winds

Color Guard Classes (South) at Seminole Ridge HS

February 3, 2024

Premiere Perc & Winds (Central/North) at Cypress Creek HS

Perc.Sch.Conc.A

MiddleburgHS

Perc.Sch.Novice

OlympiaHS

Perc.Sch. ConcertOpen

TimberCreekHS

Perc. Sch.

NorthFortMyersHS

Sch.Reg.A Sch.AAA

SouthForkHS

Perc.Sch.Novice

PembrokePinesCharterHS

Perc.Sch.A

WestBrowardHS

Perc.Sch.Open

StonemanDouglasHS

Perc.SchConc.A

WesternHS

Perc.Sch. ConcertOpen

WestBocaRatonHS

Perc.Ind.World STRYKE

WindsSch.A

JohnI.LeonardHS

WindsInd.World

STRYKEWynds

Perc.Sch.A

NorthPortHS

Perc.Ind.A

RPTPercussion

WindsSch.A

OviedoHS

WindsInd.World

HorizonWinds

Conc.World

VieraHS

Perc.Sch.Open

H.B.PlantHS

Perc.Ind.Open INFINITY3

Perc.Ind.World INFINITY

CLASS CHAMPIONS

Championships Judges Thank You

Bobby Jones

Carrie Smith

Christina Torrez

Christine Clayton-Fisher

Dave McCarthy

Deborah Parsons

Ed Argenziano

Erin Brown

Frank Miller

Jason Herrington

Jen Karp

Jenny Barker

Jim Dwyer

Jim Sturgeon

Julie Davila

Kelly Ross

Kevin Bell

Michael Higbe

Mike Anderson

Mike McIntosh

Mike Stone

Paul Sauberer

Randy Nelson

Scott Johnson

Tim Landess

Tom Slaughter

Travis Wingate

Warren Rickart

Wayne Dillon

WEEK FOUR RECAP

Oakleaf

Sch.Reg.ARd.1

WakullaHS

Sch.Reg.ARd.2

MatanzasHS

CadetNovice

BuddyTaylorMS

Cadet

CreeksideMS

Sch.AAA

GainesvilleHS

Sch.AA

BartramTrailHSJV

Sch.A PaceHS

Ind.A EPIC

February 10, 2024

Durant

Sch.Reg.ARd1

SteinbrennerHSJV

Sch.Reg.ARd2

HardeeHS CadetNovice

LibertyMS

Cadet

Sch.AAA

St.PetersburgHS

Sch.AA

NorthsideChristian

SeminoleMS Sch.A

TarponSpringsHS

Sch.Open SeminoleHS

Sch.World

TarponSpringsHS

University (OC)

Sch.Reg.A

OakRidgeHS

Sch.AA

Sch.AAA

SpruceCreekHS

LymanHSJV Sch.A

Ind.A

South Orlando Independent

Lake Nona HS

Sch.Open LymanHS

CLASS CHAMPIONS

Staff

Matt Tighe

Mike Daugherty

Neeraja

Chandrasekaran

Nicole Stratford

Paul Sauberer

Rett Johnson

Ron Green

Sharon Lock

Shelby Ward

Sierra Wees

Skyya Edwards

Steve Morsher

Tyla Greene

WEEK FIVE RECAP

CadetNovice

BuddyTaylorMS

Sch.Reg.A

FlemingIslandHSJV

Sch.AAA

SwitzerlandPointMS

Sch.AA

BartramTrailHSJV

Sch.A

BartramTrailHS

Ind.A

February 17, 2024

Flagler Palm Coast

Perc.Sch.Novice

LanierCountyHS

Perc.Con.Sch.A

MiddleburgHS

Oviedo Plant City

Cadet

BradenRiverCadets

Sch.Reg.ARd.1

SumnerHS

Sch.Reg.ARd.2

HardeeHS

Sch.AAA

BloomingdaleHS

Sch.AA

TarponSpringsMS

Martin

County

Sch.Reg.A

FortPierceCentral

Sch.AA

SouthForkHS

Perc.Sch.Novice

PembrokePinesCharterHS

Perc.Sch.Conc.A

WesternHS

Perc.Sch.A

WestBrowardHS

Sch.A

NorthsideChristian

Sch.Open

SeminoleHS

Perc.Sch.Novice

SarasotaHS

Perc.Sch.A

RiverviewHS

Perc.Sch.Open

H.B.PlantHS

Winds.Ind.World

HorizonWinds

Perc.Sch.Conc.Open

WestBocaRatonHS

Perc.Sch.Open

StonemanDouglasHS

Perc.Ind.World STRYKE

Winds.Sch.A

JohnI.LeonardHS

Winds.Ind.World Legacy

CadetNovice

LakeviewMS

Cadet

HorizonCadets

Sch.Reg.A

ForestHS

Sch.AAARd.1

HagertyHS

Sch.AAARd.2

LakeBuenaVistaHS

Sch.AA

TimberCreekHSJV

Sch.A

TimberCreekHS

Ind.A

PegasusA

Sch.Open

OviedoHS

Perc.Sch.A

OakleafHS

Winds.Sch.A

RidgeviewHS

Ind.Open

PegasusOpen

Sch.World

SunlakeHS

Ind.World

UCFPegasusWorld

Perc.Sch.Novice

OcoeeHS

Perc.Sch.A

OlympiaHS

Perc.Sch.Con.Open

TimberCreekHS

Perc.Sch.Open

SunlakeHS

Perc.Ind.Open

NewsomePercussion

Perc.Ind.World

SATURDAY

A, OPEN & WORLD CLASS

The A, Open and World Classes represent teams that are competitive on the national level. These teams often compete in WGI regionals and world championships, in addition to their local competitive schedules. Scholastic teams are composed of middle and high school students, while independent teams have a range of ages.

The divisions in our circuit are named for individuals and organizations who have influenced the growth and development of the FFCC since its inception in 1985.

THE COMPANY DIVISION:

The Company colorguard, under the direction of FFCC Hall of Famers, Adam Sage and Michael James, made a meteoric rise through the WGI ranks that remains unmatched to this day. They were the WGI Independent Class A and Open Class Gold Medalists in 1995 and 1996, their first two years of existence and were World Class finalists from 1997 to 1999, with their highest finish being 5th place in 1997.

SHAKTAI DIVISION:

The Shaktai Performance Company, under the direction of Ron Comfort, first became a WGI World Championships finalist in 1991, and were the 1993 WGI Independent Class A Bronze Medalist. They were a WGI Independent World Class Finalist five times, with their highest finish being 5th place in 1999

NORTHEAST INDEPENDENT DIVISION:

The Northeast Independent Winterguard was a member of the FFCC from the early 2000's through 2010. During that time, NEI quickly established a national presence, making finals at WGI in Independent Open in 2001 & 2002, and then becoming an Independent World finalist each year from 2003-2010. NEI was under the direction of FFCC Hall of Fame members Jill Moser & Robby DuFresne

Braden River

CadetNovice

LibertyMS

Cadet

SeminoleMS

Sch.Reg.ARd.1

PalmHarborUni.HS

Sch.Reg.ARd.2

LakewoodRanchHS

Sch.AAA

RiverviewHS

February 24, 2024

Freedom

Sch.Reg.ARd.1

ApopkaHSJV

Sch.Reg.ARd.2

ForestHS

CadetNovice

LakeviewMS

Cadet

HorizonCadets

Sch.AAARd.1

EastRidgeHS

Sch.AAARd.2

BartowHS

Sch.AA

West Orange HS

Sch.A

TimberCreekHS

Ind.A

PegasusA

Sch.Open

WilliamR.BooneHS

Ind.Open

PegasusOpen

Sch.AA

WeekiWacheeHS

Sch.A

TarponSpringsHS

Ind.A

SouthOrlandoInd.

Ind.Open

TampaInd.Open

Sch.World

TarponSpringsHS

Ind.World

TampaIndependent

Gu Leggings

Drawstring ChampsPatch mpsLanyard

(choosefromYellow,TealorLime)

WINDS SCHEDULE SUNDAY 4.14

Welcome to the nineth annual FFCC Winds Championship! The Winds activity, though new to the marching arts, is growing exponentially in popularity as creative designers working with ensembles get the honor of developing and defining the parameters of a completely new activity. Talented musicians are the foundation of a strong Winds ensemble, but visual performance, creativity, body layering, and electronic enhancement to the programs are also becoming standards for this emerging art form. The Ocean Center presents a great opportunity for these ensembles to have their program viewed in its entirety from stellar vantage points. The FFCC welcomes all of our Winds competitors from throughout the State of Florida, and wishes you great performances on the floor!

PERCUSSION SCHEDULE sunday 4.14

Percussion in the FFCC grows in excitement each year. Find your seat and watch amazing performance after amazing performance come right at you. The indoor percussion activity has evolved into an aggressive, dynamic art form that channels the tremendous energy the performers generate through their music into theatrical, dramatic performances that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Advancements in electronics, and the engineers that run them have made the indoor percussion activity more accessible to audiences than ever. Modifications to the judging system in 2016 split the General Effect caption into separate musical and visual criteria, with an overlap that encourages standard setting presentations where story, mood, expression, and energy are integrated together in ways you will never believe.

KevinPauluswasoneofthechartermembersoftheFFCCasadirectoratLemonBayHSinEnglewood,FL Hisgreatest contributionwashisapproachtocompetition Itwasneverthecontest,butrathertheperformancethatwasmost importanttoKevin.Finalplacementwasneveraconcern,aslongasthestudentswereabletoexperiencethejoyof performance.ThisattitudebecameaguidingvisionoftheFFCCphilosophythat“theperformerscomefirst.”TheFFCC lostKevinPaulusunexpectedlyatanearlyage,andinhishonor,theKevinPaulusMemorialSportsmanshipAwardwas created.Theawardhonorsteamsthatdisplayaninspiringlevelofsportsmanshipandgoodwilltowardstheirpeers.

2023 RECIPIENT: PACE HS

Kevin Paulus Memorial Sportsmanship Award

Proud host of the 2024 Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit Championships.

WEEK EIGHT RECAP

Reg. A Rd. 1

NewSmyrnaBeachHS

Reg. A Rd. 2

HarmonyHS

Cadet Sch. AAA

TimberCadets

WakullaHS

Riverview

Cadet Novice

LibertyMS

Cadet

BradenRiverCadets

Reg. A Rd. 1

NorthFortMyersHS

Reg. A Rd. 2

HardeeHS

Sch. AAA Rd. 1

RobinsonHS

Sch. AAA Rd. 2

RiverviewHS

Sch. AA

WeekiWacheeHS

Sch. A

J W MitchellHS

Ind. A

Sch. AA

MelbourneHS

Sch. A

LymanHSJV

March 9, 2024

Ind. Open

TampaIndependentOpen

Sch. World

TarponSpringsHS

Ind. World

TampaIndependent

Perc. Sch. Novice

SarasotaHS

Perc. Sch. A

NorthPortHS

Perc. Sch. Open

HB PlantHS

Perc. Ind. Open

SiegePercussion

Perc. Sch. Conc. World

J.W.MitchellHS

University of South Florida A

Perc. Sch. Con. A

WesternHS

Ind. A

South Orlando Ind

Sch. Open

LymanHS

Perc. Sch. Novice

OcoeeHS

Perc. Sch. A

OlympiaHS

Melbourne

Perc. Sch.

Conc. Open

CypressCreekHS

Perc Sch.

Conc. World

VieraHS

Winds. Sch. A

OviedoHS

Fleming Island

Cadet Novice

GreenCoveSpringsJr.HS

Cadet

CreeksideMS

Sch.

Reg. A Rd. 1

SantaFeHS

Sch.

Reg. A Rd. 2

MatanzasHS

Sch AAA

SwitzerlandPointMS

Sch. AA

PonteVedraHS

Sch. A

Pace HS

Perc. Ind. World

Ind. A

EPIC

Winds. Sch. A

RidgeviewHS

Perc. Sch. Novice

SandalwoodHS

Perc. Sch. Conc. A

MiddleburgHS

Perc. Sch. A

LowndesHS

Perc. Ind. A

RPTPercussion

Perc. Ind. Open

INFINITY3

SFWGA/FFCC CLASS CHAMPIONS

Perc. Sch. Novice

PembrokePinesCharterHS

Perc. Sch. A

WestBrowardHS

Perc. Sch. Con. Open

WestBocaRatonHS

Perc. Sch. Open

HialeahGardensHS

STRYKE

Winds Sch. A

JohnI LeonardHS

Winds Ind. World

STRYKE

FFCC Access Scholarship

Congratulations to the 2024 Scholarship Recipients

ng S

eAccessProgramwascreatedin2020inhopesofbridging opportunitiesforperformersofcolorwithinthemarchingarts community.Themaingoalofthecommitteeistohelpcreatevisibilityfo performerswithinthecircuit,inhopesofencouragingyoungperformers tocontinuewithinthemarchingartsinvariousrole technician,director,choreographer,designer,oreve leadership.ThisledtothecreationoftheAccessScho tohelpperformersofcolorbebetterpreparedtofina indoorseason.TheFFCCcontinuallystrivestobe mingtoallregardlessofrace,ethnicity,sexual identity,beliefs,andbackgrounds

hank you to McCormick's & ENSEMBLE I elping to sponsor our Access Program

Faith Brown PlantCityHS

Mariana Franco EastRidgeHS

Tarana Sharmin FreedomHS (Orlando)

kland gsHS

Zergeria Gamble TampaIndependent

Steven Alvarez-Castrillon INFINITY

Makenna Crim PonteVedraHS

WEEK NINE RECAP

University (Orlando)

CadetNovice

BuddyTaylorMS

Cadet

HorizonCadets

Sch.Reg.ARd.1

NewSmyrnaBeachHS

Sch.Reg.ARd.2

GeorgeJenkinsHS

Sch.AAARd.1

HagertyHS

Sch.AAARd.2

LakeBuenaVistaHS

Sch.AA

BuchholzHS

March 16, 2024

Sch.A

LakeHowellHS

Ind.A

South Orlando Independent

Sch.Open

Oviedo HS

Ind.World

UCF Pegasus World

Seminole @ Pinellas Park

Cadet

SeminoleMS

Sch.Reg.A

SunlakeHSJV

Sch. AAA

St.PetersburgHS

Sch.AA

H.B.PlantHS

Sch.Open

SeminoleHS

Memorial Scholarship Martha Stark 2023

Martha Stark, band director at Gainesville HS, was influential in creating and developing the policies and character of the FFCC. She was an inspiration to all who were fortunate to meet her. Her bands at Gainesville High School were continually superior-rated at FBA Festivals, and the Centerstage Color Guard became one of the premier members of the FFCC.

DayAnna Rogers

JW Mitchell HS Varsity

Emily Finch

Newsome Percussion

Haley Carr

Matanzas HS

Isabella LaRussa

St Augustine HS

Isabelle Cass

Lake Minneola HS

Madison Susman

Stoneman Douglas HS Percussion

Marisa Mitchell

South Fork HS

Sasha Cavallaro

UCF Pegasus World

Summer Knight

Deltona HS

Wenjing Hu

She touched thousands of students with her unique brand of caring and support that made those students strive for the highest levels of excellence. In 1995, after a courageous battle with cancer, we lost Martha. In her honor, the FFCC Board of Directors renamed the existing scholarship fund “The Martha Stark Memorial S h l hi P m. ” ed s of e. recipients announced at award ceremonies 2024

Palm Harbor University HS

Yinneliz Nazario

Lake Gibson HS

Yu-Tung Hsiao

Largo HS

uch instructional success over the years and op some of our current instructors within the n influential in the building of programs that faced many disadvantages. She helped these programs and performers flourish while building a sense of belonging, selfworth, and community through a multitude of opportunities.

In her time on the FFCC essential resource in th many of the circuit poli over the years. Most r Marketing, Cichele has branding by creating an created social media pla represent all facets maintaining, and expan bene

Susan Taylor Memorial Humanitarian Award

eJosephsen

FFCC Championships, h School Guard Director phsen was awarded the Memorial Humanitarian contributions to the FFCC. friends, family, and team bout Maggie and why she rving of this recognition.