Kiski Area High School performed “Second Star To The Right,” inspired by Wendy Darling from Peter Pan, complete with star-shaped platforms and a household window with a bench. The show began with a stunning dance ensemble and flawless rifle solo, and this set the tone for a phenomenal show. The weapons line was excellent, and trick tosses from the platforms enhanced the masterful performance.

The train station inspired “Platform 22” utilized strong movement and excellent flag work to romanticize the wait for the train. Four benches formed a line across the floor, and performers utilized these benches to masterfully complete trick tosses and dance statements. A stunning rifle feature and remarkable closing flag statement completed the cohesive show, as a train horn sounded and Marvin Ridge High School’s performers turned towards the station.

Sunlake High School’s “Brave Enough” was a phenomenal performance, set to Amanda Gorman’s poem from President Biden’s inauguration. The floor was set in presidential colors, but the performers adorned a colorful uniform, honoring the yellow dress worn by Gorman at the inauguration. Their performance was nothing short of inspiring, and their clean hits and movement tied together the beauty and inspiration of the show. Sunlake’s performers left us with a meaningful message from Gorman: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

Bellbrook High School certainly gave us all a gift with their program, “To: You.” A white tarp depicting a red bow set the scene, as white gifts with gold bows lined the floor. Bellbrook’s performers, in red sparkling uniforms and bows, gave a phenomenal performance with impeccable flag work and excellent weapon execution. Approaching the final flag statement, flags are thrown to the performers that erupt with confetti, further drawing in the audience. To close the show, the performers pull one long red ribbon into their final pose as a bow for the gift they gave us. 

“All we have…”, presented by Oviedo High School, depicted a black and gray tarp with leaves falling away to reveal a colorful gradient, and the guard’s uniforms followed this theme. The show began with a performer holding a black helmet on the dark side of the floor, and in the last moments of the show, the group reveals a yellow helmet. The school had a strong weapons line, and their movement was remarkable

Moe and Gene Johnson High School’s “Song for this NEW World” depicted explorers searching for a new world on a blue and white map of the planet. Sharp movement work and excellent equipment execution pulled together this show of exciting explorers. Using telescopes as props, the show explored themes of adventure and perseverance, and their excellent performance of this did well to tie viewers in.

East Lincoln High School’s take on the Ring of Eternity began strong. Circular tarp pieces sat in the center of the floor, and the performers gravitated around it. Throughout the show, pieces of the tarp were pulled away to reveal more circular pieces. By the truly stunning flag statement, each member of the group was standing on their own tarp. The guard’s flag execution certainly highlighted the skills of each member and demonstrated the strength of their ensemble. As the show came to a close, the members pulled their tarps closed to reconvene in the center of the floor, bringing them close to where they started. 

In Cleveland High School’s “The CLASSics,” well-known novels line the floor, with a teacher’s desk in the front corner. The performers, dressed in schoolgirl uniforms, demonstrate impressive equipment skills while taking a fun approach to performing. The backing soundtrack endorses women’s empowerment, and it discusses the space made for men in literature and academia. The closing flag statement and following soloist were empowering and certainly remarkable to the audience.

El Dorado High School’s “The Beauty Within” began with brown props, natural backdrops, and three large boulders as the primary props. The weapon choreography in particular stood out as a place of strength for this team. As the show approached its climax, performers opened the rocks to display a geode; the once dull rock was suddenly purple, sparkly, and illuminated. This element of change continued throughout the show, as the banners changed to bright images, and a mid-show uniform transition brought the uniforms from gray to bright purple. El Dorado’s show was both an enjoyable watch and a skillful performance, and their performance demonstrated the ability of the ensemble.

Bethel High School’s “Off the Rails” depicted a group of workers building a railroad system, and it personified the anxieties and exhaustion that come from such manual labor. The show floor donned incomplete railroad tracks and TNT barrels, while performers wore brown working overalls. Their movement was remarkable, which bled into every other element of their performance. This depiction of railroad work was phenomenal, making the audience truly feel the exhaustion, anger, and hope experienced by the railway workers.

Shenendehowa High School’s performance was as crushing as one would anticipate from a show entitled “Ultimate Devastation.” It followed the stories of women in prison, and discussed how prison impacts a person’s self image and ability to rehabilitate. Set to audio of interviews with imprisoned women, the floor was set with two stories of prison cells and the performers wore orange inmate jumpsuits. Shenendehowa’s strong equipment work and emotional performance truly pulled the viewer into the walls of the prison, and it expected the viewers to critically examine their beliefs surrounding the U.S. prison system. 

William R Boone High School’s production took minimalism to a whole new level by not using a soundtrack or a tarp. Performers relied on the peers around them to have a successful run, and through grunts and exclamations, the performers communicated necessary cues. Ensemble statements within this show were incredibly impressive, with no consistent counts to rely on, and the team was not only successful, but phenomenal in their ensemble flag statement. This show was a remarkable challenge, but William R Boone HS made something truly special from it. 

“The Weight of Waiting” was a thoughtful program with careful intricacies woven into the show’s design. The maroon and orange tarp with matching flag silks and complimentary uniforms tied together the ensemble, and platforms circling the floor acted as the primary props. While the whole show was excellent in skill, the closing flag ensemble surrounding a soloist in a headstand was a remarkable statement that stunned the audience. 

Greenwood Community High School’s program, “Golden Slumbers” was a skillful presentation of both equipment work and movement. The floor was adorned with three large rocking chairs upon which the ensemble performed tricks and demonstrated their elegant and flowing movement. The performers’ purple and gold uniforms enhanced the tarp, decorated with colorful stars and cursive lyrics to the titular song by The Beatles.

Centerville High School’s “Nomi Now” was a complex show based on the work of Klaus Nomi, a well known singer with a unique stage personality. An illustration of Nomi adorns the tarp and uniforms, and performers begin the show with umbrella-like props that remain a focal point of the show. Equipment was introduced in atypical methods, with performers often spinning two pieces of equipment at once, including flags tied together by the silks. Centerville’s unique performance and masterful equipment execution made this show one to look out for.