Focus On: West Orange HS
Feb 2, 2009
After a successful Bronze Medal finish at the 2008 WGI World Championships, the West Orange High School Winter Guard was promoted to the Scholastic World Class. Their 2008 show, entitled “Lift Up Your Faces,” featured the iconic music of Aaron Copland, blended with the powerful words of Maya Angelou's “On the Pulse of Morning.” The program, at its core, was a celebration of diversity. It touched upon our country's tumultuous history in times of war and times of peace; but more than anything, it celebrated our unique American cultural experience. The program sent a message of peace and acceptance during this difficult time in our own history. Outfitted in costumes that matched their skin tones, the members' own diversity helped to illustrate the spirit of unity that pervaded the program itself.
The group was founded in 2004, and like many indoor color guards, was created as a way to keep the members of the color guard from the marching band program spinning year-round. Twelve members took the floor the first year, and from those humble beginnings, the guard has flourished to reach the highest level of competition. As they enter their 6th year of competition, the guard is thankful for all of the support they have received from their community, school board, friends, judges and, most importantly, their fans.
The 2009 instructional staff includes Louis Hellinger (director), Jen Lube, Sherenne Simon, Brian Brown, and John Desimon, with assistance from Kaila deRonde and supported by WOHS Band Directors Erin McClure and Lewis Kelly.
This 2009 program is entitled “The Journey” and is based on the famous Chinese proverb, “The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.” The guard will explore a variety of different circumstances we all go through while on the journey of life. The show features moveable floors to create a number of changing stages, serving as a metaphor for the various stages of life's journey. Led on the floor by captains Brittany Woods, Mersit Negash, and Shelby Cadet, the 15 young ladies of the WOWG hope to continue to deliver their signature style that audiences have come to know and love.
You can see the 2009 WOWG at the Trumbull Regional, South Brunswick Regional, and the 2009 WGI World Championships.
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