Color Guard

Conkwright Middle School teacher Susan Mitmesser, reads "I Am Proud" during the school's fourth annual Veterans Day Celebration held Friday morning at the school. Members of the George Rogers Clark High School JROTC, from left, Rachel Jackson, Jonathan Mills, Charles Goode and Jake Welch provided the color guard for the reading of the patriotic poem. Tom Ford, a Navy veteran, waved an America flag when his branch of the Armed Services was recognized during the "Marches of the Armed Forces" performed by the CMS band and chorus.

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.

Despite heavy, blowing rain, the George Rogers Clark High School marching band was the second highest scoring band in the 30-band Blue and Gold Festival of Marching Bands Saturday at Morehead State University. GRC's color guard received the award for best overall auxiliary. "Despite the elements, we were able to perform at our highest level and remain competitive with the best of the best," said band director Todd Moody. Three-time reigning state champion Paul Laurence Dunbar won the event.

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 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.

Walker second runner-up in Miss Kentucky Pageant Former West Jessamine High School and current Western Kentucky University student Andrea Walker recently competed in the Miss Kentucky Pageant held in Lexington. Walker finished second runner-up and also won Miss Congeniality and was a finalist for the Heather French Henry Wuality of Life Award for community service. During the talent portion of the pageant she performed "A change in Me" from the Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast.

The George Rogers Clark Junior ROTC Regimental Club, known as the Long Knives, took top honors at York Institute's Dragon Challenge Field Day on Saturday, Oct. 25. The club fielded a Raider team, two drill teams, an academic team, a marksmanship team and a color guard. The club brought home three first-place, four second-place, and three third-place event trophies, one for each event entered. It was an early start for the club with a 4 a.m. wake up and 5 a.m. departure for the York Institute in Jamestown, Tenn.

The George Rogers Clark High School Marching Band was named grand champion of the 35th annual Northern Kentucky Marching Band Festival Saturday at Campbell County High School in Alexandria. Performing its 2006 show "Empire" for the first time in competition, the band captured overall awards for color guard, visual performance, general effect and music (tied for first) on its way to winning the event. "I was happy with the prelims performance, but I enjoyed watching the finals performance," said fifth-year director Todd Moody.

Boyle dog licenses available Boyle County dog licenses for 2005-2006 will be available at the Rabies Clinics this week around the county. Current licenses expire on June 30. The annual licenses, which are required for all Boyle County dogs over the age of 4 months, sell for $3 if the dog has been neutered and $5 for unneutered dogs. Kennel licenses are also available. The cost is $20 for four to 10 dogs, $30 for more than 10 dogs. The remaining clinics will be as follows: Thursday: 6-8 p.m., Boyle County Fairground.

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.