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NEWS FROM THE FLOOR AND MORE
TARPON SPRINGS FINDS THE NEXT LEVEL
“NY2,” 2016
Broadway Playbill flags, stunningly precise choreography, live musicians, and a moving (literally) recreation of an MTA subway car that opened up to reveal a phalanx of rifle tossers—all these things and more made Tarpon Springs High School’s “NY2” a highlight of the 2016 WGI Color Guard World Championships. This bold ensemble from Florida’s west coast can now add a “THE second Scholastic World Gold FARMER,” 2014 Medal to the one it earned in 2014 for “The Farmer.” And since the guard traditionally only competes in Dayton every other year, you could argue that this is its second consecutive gold. Clearly, Tarpon Springs has arrived in a big way. Like nearly all overnight successes, however, this one has actually taken years to accomplish. Jeannine Ford, the guard’s director for the past two decades, acknowledges that there’s been a “paradigm shift” at Tarpon Springs in recent times. “As part of each student’s curriculum,” she explains, “we now have a freshman leadership course that focuses on building a strong foundation and that helps develop what we refer to as ‘the total child.’ We try to incorporate the knowledge of having a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset, and how
it’s simply being able to see yourself achieve the skill that makes the mind believe you can truly achieve it. We also started a middle school color guard program in 2010 and that has contributed tremendously. We are excited to see a continuous growth in both the middle school and high school programs.” The initial inspiration for “NY2” came from choreographer Michael Shapiro, and Ford gives him special credit for “inspiring us to push the boundaries of what is comfortable. I have to admit early on it was scary. The students would come to rehearsal wearing their biking helmets and knee pads and it felt like every time they learned something new we were having to start all over again.” But the results were well worth the hard labor. “When the last note was played,” Ford says, “and it echoed through the arena, the students all had tears in their eyes. They knew they had accomplished something beyond words.”
IN MEMORIAM: LYNN LINDSTROM 1939-2016 The World Class Retreat of the Color Guard Finals, normally a time of excitement and anticipation, briefl y took on a more somber tone this year. Everyone in the UD Arena observed a moment of silence, followed by a memorial video honoring Winter Guard International founder and former Executive Director Lynn Lind-
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strom, who lost her long battle with cancer on January 27 at the age of 76. Lynn’s passion for pageantry began in her youth as a color guard member and continued through her days as a Colorado guard “den mother” and, later, Commander of the Midwest Color Guard Circuit. In 1977, Lynn was one
of six people present for Winter Guard International’s foundation meeting in San Francisco. She was named the organization’s first Executive Director, and held that post for the next 24 years. Until her retirement in 2001, Lynn presided over an activity that grew by leaps and bounds, from 34
participating guards in the 1978 championships to more than 300 in the final year of her directorship. She also helped spearhead WGI’s expansion into percussion and marching band competitions. It’s fair to say that WGI wouldn’t exist without Lynn Lindstrom. As long as it does, her legacy will always be treasured.
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