Following a season of highlights, the 18 members of the Newtown High School Varsity Winter Guard spent their spring break traveling to Dayton, Ohio, to compete among the best in the Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships, which took place at the Dayton University Arena April 16-18. 

For 12 of the girls, it was the last time they would be competing as a member of the NHS guard, and it was a bittersweet moment as they traditionally kissed the famed Tunnel Wall, which leads the guard into the Dayton Arena.

“Saving the best for first,” cheered captain Camryn “Cammie” Gaudett in an attempt to pump up her teammates for having been selected by random draw as the first guard to compete in the Scholastic Open round. 

Lead instructor Bob Findley said he knew performing first in the competition would mean his guard would have a narrow chance of advancement. 

“It’s just the luck of the draw. Without having any other team to compare us to, the judge’s traditionally score the earlier performers lower,” Mr Findley said. He added, “I remain so proud of these kids. We walked out of that arena heads held high.”

Newtown was one of 115 guards that competed in the world championships, and finished 30th in the world out of 40 participating guards at the WGI World Championships.

For six members, returning to Dayton next year means a brand new chance to make finals. 

“We’ve got some big shoes to fill with these graduating seniors,” Cammie told the remaining team members. She also noted that with NHS Marching Band and Guard signup taking place May 26-27, there is little time between Winter and Fall guard seasons, and said new opportunity to win championships is right around the corner. 

At the end of season banquet, held on Tuesday, April 21, Mr Findley praised the Newtown Varsity as well as Junior Varsity and Junior divisions, telling them to “keep spinning.”

Mr Findley also said, “For you guard members not graduating, get out there and practice and always recruit new members so we have the very best guard Newtown can deliver.”