July 13, 2011
Vol 13 No 28
March 18, 2015
A constant ‘guard’
Francis Howell North color/ winter guard racks up honors
Recipe
Hop into Spring
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By Brett Auten There is a dynasty of sorts brewing on Hackmann Road in St. Charles. Among the multitude of athletics, clubs, and after school activities available at Francis Howell North High School, it is the color/winter guard that has drawn regional and national recognition year in and year out. Duane Johnson took over operations nine years ago after a 17-year stint in Indiana. After two years worth building and tinkering, the trophies, plaques and honors have flowed in. The most notable notches on the belt have come in the shape of Winter Guard International world championship finalists in 2009, 20013, and, 2014. The Knights’ have dominated the region, being Mid Continent Color Guard Association champions every year since 2009. The MCCGA is a winter color guard and percussion circuit serving independent and scholastic guards and percussion lines from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Iowa. “You have to have kids who are willing to work, sacrifice their time, and have that competitive spirit,” Johnson said. “We always let the parents know about the sacrifice. For example, we’re on Spring Break right now but they can’t travel. We still have to travel and we still have to compete.” When Johnson arrived in the summer of 2006, the Howell North program was small in stature and didn’t have any national exposure. Slowly but surely, through established training, the exposure came, with 2008 reaching WGI semifinalist status. The year starts in May with three days worth of auditions for the team. The squad is usually anywhere from 12 to 18 members deep. While experience is a plus, it is not necessary. Johnson is always on the prowl for the intangibles. “They have to have some athletic ability,” Johnson said. “We are looking for people with potential, drive and a willingness to win.” Practice begins in the summer, two times a week. Once school starts, practice is bumped up to four times a week, with competitions slated for Saturdays along with the Friday-night performances at every home football game. In the winter time, practice drops to
Around Town
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Feature Section
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Children Trust Fund awardees
Submitted photos The Francis Howell North High School color/winter guard performs in competition. The group has drawn regional and national recognition year in and year out.
three times a week but Saturday competitions can be a nine-hour experience. “We decide each season what competitions we will attend throughout Missouri,” Johnson said. “There have
“You have to have kids who are willing to work, sacrifice their time, and have that competitive spirit. We always let the parents know about the sacrifice. For example, we’re on Spring Break right now but they can’t travel. We still have to travel and we still have to compete.” Duane Johnson
Color Guard Director
been winter guard competitions in Dallas, Indianapolis, Nashville and Cincinnati.” Like at most schools, there are two versions of the squad. In the fall, there is the color guard, which performs
alongside the school’s marching band. Modern color guard has evolved over the years into a form of entertainment similar to dance theater. Color guard can be found in most American colleges, universities, high schools and independent drum corps. Color guard uses props, along with movement, to express dynamic passages in the music accompanying the marching band show. Usually marching bands and color guards perform during football games at halftime. Once the reading on the thermometer starts to drop, the shift goes to winter guard where routines are performed with prerecorded music. The most fundamental piece of equipment in color guard or winter guard shows is the flag. There are three primary types of equipment are used in winter guard: flags, rifles, and sabres (other items can be used to demonstrate artistic effects.) Such equipment is used in shows to demonstrate a team’s technical ability. Like almost everything else, the ins and outs of guard have changed significantly over the last 10 years. “It used to be equipment-based,” Johnson said. “Now it is much more dance and artistic-based. I think it is going to grow and evolve and you will see more theatrics combined with athletics and handling the equipment.” The Francis Howell North team will continue competing through April when the national competition is held in Dayton, Ohio.
Camp & School Guide
Sports
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Movie
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History made in the water
“Do you Believe”
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