2023 FFCC Virtual Yearbook

Welcome

Members and Fans of the FFCC,

Welcome to the celebration of our 38th Annual FFCC Championships! Since 1985, the FFCC has served the marching and pageantry arts community in Florida by providing an educational and competitive environment for color guards, indoor percussion, and winds teams

In 2023, our organization held nineteen regional events over nine weekends. We covered cities from Fleming Island through Parkland, Florida including our first combined show with the South Florida Winter Guard Association Teams from Miami to Georgia call the FFCC home, and we know you'll enjoy their performances this weekend!

This year, the Ocean Center will host two hundred and thirty-five teams and one hundred seventy-four solo and duet performances. In addition the FFCC will be recognizing graduates, honor society members and scholarship winners in multiple awards ceremonies throughout the weekend It's a time to honor the work and dedication of our membership.

To the performers, let this celebration be a tribute to your hard work, support of each other, and the sacrifices you have made To the spectators, raise your voices and applause to praise and celebrate these young people under the lights of the Ocean Center for they truly are our hope for a bright and promising future. Thank you for attending this weekend and adding to the excitement of the weekend - YOU! belong here

Michael Higbe

President

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TomSlaughter

Vice President of marketing

CicheleFields

Vice President of operations

JenKarp

Secretary

ErinBrown

Board of Directors

JennyBarker

CarlosBautista-Babb

TrevorCox

JamieEscobar-Dyer

PatMiller

RandyNelson

RicardoRobinson-Shinall

CarrieSmith

2023 SEASON SPONSORS

FFCC

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 training and development 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’, under the direction of FFCC founder and Hall-of-Famer Roanna Combs, became the FFCC’s first Scholastic Open Class finalist, placing 15th in what was the highest Scholastic Class at the time.

IMAGINATION DIVISION:

In 1987, Lake Howell HS ‘Imagination’, under the direction of Hall-of-Famers Michele Dershimer and Jon Kersten became the first FFCC colorguard to be a WGI World Championships finalist, placing sixth in Scholastic Class A

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.

THE KNIGHTS DIVISION:

Th Knights Winterguard, under the direction of FFCC Hall o Michael James, were members of the FFCC from the late 90s through 2009, landing in WGI Independent A Class finals for the first time in 2002

The Knights went on to several Independent Open and Independent World finals appearances throughout their existence

THURSDAY REGIONAL A

WEEK ONE RECAP

January 21, 2023

Color Guard Premiere Central (Cadet, SRA, AAA)

Color Guard Premiere Central (Cadet, SRA, AAA)

at Strawberry Crest HS

Cadet

Northside Christian Cadets

Sch. Reg. A Round 1

King HS

Sch. Reg. A Round 2

Hardee HS

Sch. Reg. A Round 3

Lakewood Ranch HS

Sch. AAA Round 1

Sickles HS

Sch. AAA Round 2

Bloomingdale HS

Cadet

Windermere Cadets

Sch. Reg. A Round 1

Lake Nona HS JV

Sch. Reg. A Round 2

Switzerland Point MS

Sch. Reg. A Round 3

Orange Park HS

Sch. AAA Round 1

Lyman HS JV

Sch. AAA Round 2

Timber Creek HS JV

Sch. AAA Round 3

at DeLand HS C L A S S C H A M P I O N S

East Ridge 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.

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.

BEYOND DIVISION:

The Beyond Colorguard, under the direction of FFCC Hall-of-Famers Michele Dershimer and Jon Kersten, was originally an outgrowth of the Lake Howell HS ‘Imagination’ colorguard and included among its membership many current and former FFCC directors, including Adam Sage, Stephen Porter, Shawn McCaig, and Kevin Griner In 1994 they were the WGI Independent Class A Bronze Medalist.

COAST ONE DIVISION: ANASTASIA DIVISION:

PARADIGM DIVISION:

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.

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.

Write

FRIDAY

Click To View Schedule

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.

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.

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.

Thank You

Championships

Paula Alfonso

Ed Argenziano

Jenny Barker

Luke Bautista-Babb

Lee Beddis

Kevin Bell

Erin Brown

Lee Carlson

Christine Dillon

Peter Furnari

Ken Giese

Jason Herrington

Michael Higbe

Joan Joselyn

Jen Karp

Bret Kuhn

Greg Llacer

Dave McCarthy

Jill Moser

Randy Nelson

Judges

George Oliviero

Deborah Parsons

Evan Rogovin

Kelly Ross

Tom Slaughter

Carrie Smith

Robert Solomon

Matthew Stevens

Michael Stone

Christina Torrez

WEEK THREE RECAP

WEEK FOUR RECAP

Thank You Championships Contest Staff

Al Palacio

Alan Mundy

Alan Smith

Alex Aronoff

Alexis Hannah

Carlie Donow

Chris Lowery

Christina Torrez

Davide Price

Deborah Parsons

Franklin Jennings

Hikari Nitta

Holly Dickmeyer

Jackie Price

Jim Taylor

John Johnson

Jordan Rigdon

Josh Gelman

Julia Higbe

Julie Frye

Kadien Harwood

Katherine Durst

Katie Tighe

Kayla Demaio

Kayla Miley

Lisa Peter

Maria Toledo

Mark Frye

Matt Tighe

Mike Daugherty

Mike Palau

Nicole Franze

Rene Slaughter

Sharon Lock

Sierra Wees

Skyya Edwards

Steve Morsher

Tyla Greene

2023 Season Photographers Thank You

K Voorhees Photography

S3 Photography

Carlie Donow Photography

Al Palacio Photography

Marchi A ti t Ph t h

WEEK FIVE RECAP

CadetNovice

BuddyTaylorMS

Sch.RegA

February 18, 2023

Flagler Palm Coast

Sch.AA

LymanHSJV SwitzerlandPointMS

Ind.A

EndeavorPerformance IndoorCompany

Perc.Con.Sch.A

MiddleburgHS Perc.Sch.A

PonteVedraHS

Perc.Ind.A

Cadet

Sch.AAA

CreeksideMS Sch.A

OakleafHS

BartramTrailHS

Perc.Sch.AA

LanierCountyHS

Oviedo Plant City

CadetNovice LibertyMS

Cadet

NorthsideChristianCadets

Sch.RegARd.1

LakewoodRanchHS

Sch.RegARd.2

TarponSpringsMS

Sch.AAARd.1

EastLakeHS

Sch.AAARd.2

BradenRiverHSJV Sch.AA

TarponSpringsHS

Seminole Ridge

Sch.AAA

MartinCountyHS

Sch.A

BradenRiverHS Ind.A

TampaIndependentA

Sch.Open NewsomeHS Sch.World

TarponSpringsHS Ind.World

TampaIndependent

Perc.Sch.AA

KingHigh Perc.Sch.A

H.B.PlantHS

Perc.Sch.A

StonemanDouglasHS

CadetNovice JohnsonMS

Sch.RegA

NewSmyrnaBeachHS

Sch.AAARd.1

FreedomHS(Orlando)JV

Sch.AAARd.2

LakeNonaHSJV

Sch.AA

ApopkaHS

Sch.A

TimberCreekHS

Sch.Open

OviedoHS Ind.Open

PegasusOpen

ConfluxPercussion

Perc.Sch.Open

OakleafHS

Ind.World

UCFPegasusWorld Perc.Sch.AA

NorthPortHS

Perc.Con.SchA

RiverRidgeHS

Perc.Sch.A

J W MitchellHS

Perc.Sch.Con.Open

TimberCreekHS Perc.Sch.Open

NewsomeHS

Perc.Ind.Open

INFINITY2

Perc.Ind.World INFINITY

Sch.AA

PalmettoRidgeHS Perc.Sch.Con.Open

WestBocaRatonHS

Perc.Sch.AA

HialeahGardensHS

Perc.Ind.World

STRYKEPercussion

Winds.Sch.A

NaplesHS

SATURDAY

CADET NOVICE & CADE

Cadet 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.

SATURDAY

CADET NOVICE & CADET

WINDS SCHEDULE SATURDAY

Welcome to the eighth 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 SATURDAY

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.

Albert Palacio

Cichele Fields Carlie Donow Ascencio

Hikari Nitta

ianna Taravella

Kayl

Cristina Klein Intern

Kadien Harwo Intern

Bri Shumaker Intern

Shelby Ward

Coral Batten

Skyya Edwards Intern

Amanda Crawford

Kevin Paulus Memorial Sportsmanship Award

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

2022 Recipient: J W MITCHELL HS

SATURDAY

COLORGUARD SOLO & DUET CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Solo & Duet Competition takes place on Saturday, March 25, 2023 in the Ballrooms of the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL. Our Solo & Duet Competition is open to all scholastic and independent colorguard performers, and offers competition in four solo categories (flag, rifle, sabre, and dance), and a duet category.

The competition is open to spectators free of charge. Over 100 students competing!

The schedule is organized by competition room. There are many scholastic flag solos, so you may be in one of two rooms. All rooms are located on the east end of the Ocean Center (closest to the beach).

SUNDAY

A, OPEN & WORLD CLASS

The A, Open and World Classes represent teams that are competitiv the national level. These teams often compete in WGI regionals world championships, in addition to their local competitive schedu Scholastic teams are composed of middle and high school stude 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

Proud host of the 2023 Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit Championships.

A, OPEN, & WORLD CLASS SCHEDULE

WEEK NINE RECAP

FFCC Access Scholarship

Congratulations to the 2023 Scholarship Recipients

opportunitiesforperformersofcolorwithinthemarchingarts community.Themaingoalofthecommitteeistohelpcreatevisibilityfor performerswithinthecircuit,inhopesofencouragingyoungperformers tocontinuewithinthemarchingartsinvariousrolessuchasbeinga technician,director,choreographer,designer,orevencircuitstaffand leadership.ThisledtothecreationoftheAccessScholarshipwhichseeks tohelpperformersofcolorbebetterpreparedtofinanciallysupporttheir indoorseason.TheFFCCcontinuallystrivestobeaplacethatis welcomingtoallregardlessofrace,ethnicity,sexualorientation,gender identity,beliefs,andbackgrounds.

Thank you to McCormick's for helping to sponsor our Access Program Scholarships!

Sydni L Universityof

I b ll M d l no

Christopher Perez-Guzman AtlasPercussion

Aidana Umarova KingHS

Tanynia Richard Endeavor Performance IndoorCompany

Jamont Britt UCFPegasusOpen

Angelyna Lopez AtlasPercussion

TheAccessProgramwascreatedin2020inhopesofbridging

VictoriaEnsler WestBocaHS

MacyMoore LymanHS DilanysOrtiz SunlakeHS

IsabelleCass LakeMinneolaHS

ArianaEstrada CypressCreekHS

AnnabelleCaraway RiverviewHS

JakeFinman NaplesHS

SarahDowner TimberCreekHS

DayAnnaRogers JWMitchellHS JulesRuiz PonteVedr HS

HannahSlay NorthPortHS

ArianaSmith BradenRiverHS RyleeSmith SantaFeHS KenzieThornhill HardeeHS

AnnarelaMartinez LakeNonaHS Madily Winternheimer FlaglerPalmCoastHS

MillaniKhabir WesleyChapelHS

JillianLoutzenhiser SeabreezeHS

AnaSofiaLondono SunlakeHS

SashaCavallaro UCFPegasusWorld

KatSassatelli INFINITY2 AngelaSok TampaIndependentA

HannahBlake UCFPegasusOpen

BrandinCruz STRYKEWynds

EvanBlack TampaIndWorld SebastianHall HorizonWinds

ZoeyCampagna UnivSouthFLWorld

JacobSuarez RPTPercussion ChristianTouchton ConfluxPercussion

JoeTremper INFINITY ZacharyUrmos AtlasPercussion

HenrySantos STRYKEPercussion

OllieHill UnivofSouthFLA

KealaPrince EPIC CourtneyLee INFINITY3

Memorial Scholarship Martha Stark 2022

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. 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 Scholarship Program.” The Program is funded through private donations and sales of FFCC merchandise.

2023

recipients announced at award ceremonies

Sophia Chase-Azzaoui Sophia Aspinall Ameila Hoffs

Nicole Llamas-Carrillo

Samuel Powers Dallis Mullett

Maddie Stubee Brody Stump Joel Thame

Steinbrenner HS ApopkaHS

SarasotaHS

ManateeHS

Madison Uhle

JupiterHS

SarasotaHS

BartramTrailHS BelleviewHS NorthPortHS UCFPegasusWorld

Emily Wells MulberryHS

Funded by McCormick's

2022 ffcc Hall of Fame Inductees

Erin Brown has been consistently visible during her career as a performer with University High School and The Company Winter Guards, and an adult staff member of the FFCC and WGI. Erin was the Director for Freedom High School for 10 years, leading them to win multiple World Championships at WGI. Aside from her teaching, Erin’s voice has always been one of reason and for the betterment of all performers. Her role as one of those chosen to speak on behalf of her fellow board members and instructional communities have made Erin one of the most influential voices within the programs that she has participated with.

Since her performing endeavors, Erin’s continuously open and approachable demeanor and unfailing respect for peers, teachers, coaches, and family has always reflected her steadfast dedication to promoting goals that are consistent with the mission statements of the FFCC, WGI, as well as the Orange County school district in which she serves as a professional educator today.

Jeremy has taught and developed successful ensembles in a wide range of divisions within the FFCC. Earlier in his career Jeremy brought Santa Fe similar success as a marching ensemble and then he ventured into the Independent Divisions of competition when he founded and directed Unity Percussion to multiple WGI medals during the life of that ensemble. Though Jeremy’s instructional success is clear, he has also been a leader within the FFCC on the development and implementation of many philosophical changes that have benefited the percussion ensembles we have today. These changes have been the catalyst for the exponential growth we have seen in participation within our indoor percussion divisions.

Currently, Jeremy is the Director of INFINITY 3.

Special Recognition 2023

SEE YSEE YOU OU BACK BACK IN IN 2024 2024