Winter guard places first in regional contest

The Ramona High School Winter Guard returned from the West Coast Winter Guard San Diego Show with first-place honors in its division.

Co-Captains Emma Hopperton, a junior, and Raigan Spivey, a sophomore, accepted the award on behalf of the 18-member squad. Mira Mesa High School hosted the competition.

The Ramona High program has been recognized throughout Southern California with numerous awards. RHS Winter Guard performances showcase the members’ talent. The guard, directed by Jim and Melissa Barton, is recognized in the community for its creativity and sophistication.

“Being a Color Guard member is a rewarding experience in which students learn productive life skills through teamwork, develop leadership skills, gain a sense of worth from a job well done and build camaraderie to last a lifetime,” said the guard’s announcement of earning first place.

RHS Winter Guard is a growing program that needs community support to help with the costs of putting together a successful season.

Knowing that fundraising is an important part of building a program, Ramona High’s Royal Alliance Band and Color Guard will host an E-Waste Recycling event and Bake Sale in the Senior Parking Lot at the school, 1401 Hanson Lane, on Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Acceptable items are computer parts and accessories and office materials.

Among e-waste items that will be accepted are motherboards, monitors, desktop computers, keyboards, scanners, printers, networking equipment, CD and Zip drives, cell phones and accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, calculators, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereo equipment, digital cameras, camcorders, video game consoles, rechargeable and alkaline batteries, and small household appliances such as toasters, blenders and coffee makers.

Donations from fundraisers go toward the cost of equipment, uniforms, assistants, sectional coaches, music composition, transportation and tournament entry fees.