Color Guard

Members of the George Rogers Clark High School color guard rifle section have been practicing this week in preparation for the band's annual band camp, which begins Monday. Learning the guard's routine for the upcoming marching season are, second from left, top photo, Hang Tran, Sarah Napier, Kathlyn Cummings, Keegan Crosby, Courtney Leggett and Katie Parrish. Karen Wear, left, is one of the instructors working with the guard. Crosby, rifle guard captain, right photo, kept her gaze fixed while waiting for just the precise moment to catch her twirling rifle.

George Rogers Clark High School Junior ROTC Color Guard members, who wore authentic reproductions of the uniforms worn by Gen. George Rogers Clark's regiment, opened the 2009 Christmas Parade Saturday evening. Cadets in the color guard were Dustin Yost, Brandon Merritt, Joseph Newkirk and Ryan Hunter. GRCHS Marching Band color guard member Sarah Napier, a senior, twirled her flag while marching down Main Street.

The George Rogers Clark High School Marching Band won Best Color Guard and was named Reserve Grand Champion in the Butler Traditional Marching Band Contest Saturday in Louisville. The contest included 13 bands in classes A to 5A. Henry Clay High School was grand champion. GRC will compete again Saturday at Lloyd Memorial High School. Pictured with the reserve grand champion award are, from left, Tyler Dupree, color guard captain Paige Rogers, field commander Karis Patterson and Rachel Croucher.

Members of the military were recognized during halftime of the George Rogers Clark High School Cardinal football game Friday evening at Cardinal Stadium against Corbin. The color guard for military night was furnished by the GRC JROTC. The next home GRC football game will be Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. against Montgomery County. Bill Thiry/bthiry@winchestersun.com

Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner, left, and Clark County Judge Executive Henry Branham lead the students attending the Winchester-Clark County Campus of Bluegrass Community and Technology College in the Pledge of Allegiance during a Constitution Day program Thursday. A large number of the more than 720 students enrolled at the college this fall attended the program held on Constitution Day. The color guard was provided by members of the George Rogers Clark High School Junior ROTC program.

Oct. 5, 1982 Danny Dunn was installed as president of the Fannie Bush Parent-Teacher Association at the recent Open House at the school. Other officers serving during 1982-83 will be Mable Royse, vice president; Kay Hall, secretary; Eunice Caston, treasurer; Sherry Mingua, membership chairwoman; Carol Ballard, room mother chairwoman; and Brenda Johnson, hospitality and publicity chairwoman. Lt. Gov. Martha Layne Collins will be featured speaker at the 1982 annual meeting of the Natural Bridge State Park Association at 7 p.m. Friday at the park lodge.

LIBERTY - A dozen young women are seeking the title of the 2005 Casey County Junior Miss in the 18th scholarship program. They will compete at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Casey County High School gymnasium. Admission is $5. "This is the largest group of girls we've had in the competition," said Rita Sweeney, program chairman. Judging will be on interviews, talent, scholastics, fitness and self expression. The contestants will perform a fitness segment. The winner will receive $1,200, and the four runners-up also will receive cash prizes.

Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner, left, spoke about personal freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution during a Constitution Day program at the Winchester-Clark County Campus of Bluegrass Community and Technology College Thursday morning. Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham, right, pointed out the first three words of the Constitution, "We The People," and how those words are still true today in America. Listening behind Branham were, from left, Bluegrass Community and Technical College District Community Liaison JoEllen Reed, DAR Hart Chapter treasurer Cindy Codell, and members of the George Rogers Clark High School Junior ROTC color guard, Jacob Koch, Joseph Newkirk, Steven Adams and Dustin Yost.

Logan Terry, center, bottom photo, manages a smile despite the 38 degree temperatures Thursday morning while practicing with the George Rogers Clark High School Marching Band color guard. A strong breeze pushed the wind chill temperature down to a frosty 31 degrees, prompting the wearing of gloves, hoods and coats. The band is preparing for the Beechwood High School Invitational Band Contest this weekend and the Bands of America super-regional competition on Oct. 21 in St. Louis. In contrast to the cold temperatures Thursday and today, Donald Gay, top photo, fished in a T-shirt Tuesday afternoon when temperatures were in the mid-70s.

Nov. 11, 1987 A Homemakers Holiday Workshop was Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the College Park Community Room, with the theme, “A Victorian Christmas Brunch.” The dining room was decorated with a Victorian Christmas tree and the table featured an arrangement of burgundy and pink. Verna Eaton served as decorations chairman. Miss Stephanie Thorpe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Thorpe, Winchester, has pledged into Kappa Delta sorority at Eastern Kentucky University. A freshman majoring in elementary education, Miss Thorpe is a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School, where she was active in the Future Business Leaders of America, Drama Club, color guard and the Junior Civitan Club.

The George Rogers Clark High School marching band went into Morehead Saturday and cleaned house. The Cardinals claimed a handful of awards at the Viking Classic at Rowan County High School, sweeping the 5A awards and taking home three overall awards. “The kids have been working very hard this year,” band director Chris Yoo said. “We've got a good group this year. They're understanding the discipline it takes to be successful. We have a group that is starting to understand the work ethic we need.” The Cardinals won first place in the 5A class, along with best color guard and best percussion in 5A. Clark also took home the Best Overall Music award, the Best Overall General Effect and Best Overall Color Guard in a competition that featured 12 bands.

The following students were among the 37 George Rogers Clark High School  juniors who were selected to the National Council on Youth Leadership Youth Salute. The students were recognized at a banquet and awards ceremony at Georgetown College in May. Peri Drury Peri is a dedicated student who maintains more than a 4.0 GPA with many commitments inside and outside school. She is the founder and president of the GRC Reading and Book Club and secretary of the French Club.

“Because of the living donor match, they scheduled the surgery for spring break of her sophomore year,” Mary Lindsay said. “They timed it around marching band, winter guard and color guard.” Meredith's aunt, Robyn Morefield of Irvine, turned out to be the closest match. Meredith said she was confident when testing began her aunt would be her closest match because Meredith's father, Stanley Merrell, had suffered from leukemia and Morefield was his closest bone marrow match.

The West Jessamine High School marching band started the year as one of the smallest and youngest groups it has ever had. It finished the year with another superlative label - the most successful group the school has ever had. The 50-plus middle- and high-schoolers rode an innovative electronic show¿all the way to the state finals for the first time in school history, finishing fourth in Class 4A. Director Michael White found that he...

As president of the Danville Band Boosters, I am honored to have the opportunity to thank all the community sponsors and parents who have shown support to the Danville Admirals Marching Band. The Danville Admirals Marching Band and Color Guard placed second in the state for Class 2A on Oct. 29 at Western Kentucky University. The directors and staff put in exorbitant hours of preparation and teaching with little rest only to hand it off to the students at the time of each competition.

HARRODSBURG - At 3 a.m. this Thanksgiving, as visions of sweet potatoes dance in our heads, Olivia Perkins, 18, will prepare to perform for more than 50 million people. She'll walk to arguably the most famous New York City block and practice a days-old routine one last time. Then, slowly, slowly, her Mercer County Senior High School classmates will crawl out of bed to watch her dance on the nation's biggest November stage - Herald's Square. As a member of the Macy's Great American Marching Band color guard, Perkins will spin her way through Manhattan on Thursday, giving even her most reluctant friends reason to rise early.

Oct. 13, 1986 ASHLAND (AP) - The father of a Centre College student killed in a fraternity house fire April 19  in Danville has filed suit against the school and three men who allegedly started the blaze. Michael Durbin, whose son Allan died at the Delta Kappa Epsilon house, filed the suit in Boyd Circuit Court. The undefeated George Rogers Clark High School marching band returned home from the 16-band Somerset Invitational Saturday with trophies for grand champion, first place in Class 4A, best brass, best color guard, best percussion and best woodwinds.

Members of the military were recognized during halftime of the George Rogers Clark High School Cardinal football game Friday evening at Cardinal Stadium against Corbin. The color guard for military night was furnished by the GRC JROTC. The next home GRC football game will be Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. against Montgomery County. Bill Thiry/bthiry@winchestersun.com

The American Legion is designed to be an organization of "veterans helping veterans," but one local post commander says non-existent membership from veterans of more recent wars is making it difficult to get things done. American Legion Post 46 Commander Mike Qualls said his post used to have more than 300 members. Today, that number is down to about 120, with only five to 10 truly active members. Of those active members, all are veterans of either the Korean or Vietnam wars. "We wish we could find a way to get the younger generation to join," he said.