The Unity Stick is a tradition that started in the 2002 winter guard season as a team building experience. The staff has decided to make the Unity Stick an anual tradition because it not only creates a team atmosphere, but it also recognizes those members who go above and beyond at rehearsals. In order to receive the Unity stick, a member has to do something that stands out from the contributions of everyone else during any given rehearsal. It can go home with marching members, floor crew participants, parents and staff members.
Once you have earned the right to take the Unity Stick home with you, it becomes your project over the next week to add something memorable to it. In the past people have done everything from putting sentimental objects on it to writing a phrase on a piece of paper and hanging it in a certain place on the stick. There have been flowers, doves, ribbons, stickers, and paper. The Unity Stick has only one rule that goes along with it...it needs to come back to the very next rehearsal so that the next person can take it home.
The Unity Stick has been seen on many occasions, and will be seen all throughout the 2004 season. It has gone to every retreat from 2003. It has made its appearance at Parent Shows. It even got its own invitation to the Elkton High School Band Banquet. Last year's Unity Stick currently resides at Mary Pierce's house, but the staff hopes to find another home for it as well as future Unity Sticks.
The legend of the Unity Stick is a testament to the never-ending teamwork that is involved in this activity. It teaches everyone involved int he organization that every little bit matters. It teaches all involved that it doesn't matter who you are or what your role is in the production. What does matter is that you put 110% into your job so that the unit is successful. The Unity Stick teaches Unity. It teaches everyone how to love their show and their organization and become one with their teammates.
Below is a list of people who have received the Unity Stick so far this season. Next to their name, you will find a breif explaination as to why they were chosen for the Unity Stick that day. Congratulations to those who are on this list...and good luck to those who are not on there yet. Be sure to look for the Unity Stick at their next appearance. It's awestriking.
Sunday, November 9, 2003
Ms. Judi
For being the most active parent that Unity Winter Ensemble has EVER seen. For fundraising her heart out and caring about everyone involved in the ensemble, floor crew, and staff. She is truely amazing.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Lisa Clark
For stepping up and taking control of the flag line when Unity Winter Ensemble broke into groups. She truely took control of the small ensemble and impressed the staff with her shining leadership moment.
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Sarah Brooks
For being a fifth instructor. Sarah is always there to pick up the pieces, to make people better performers, to make the organization a more well-oiled machine than it already is, and to do all the little things that no one else really thinks about.
Sunday, November 30, 2003 (Mini Camp)
Jessica Roberts
Jessica got the Unity Stick for being such an excellent silent leader. No matter what the challenge, she is always ready to step it up a notch. Not to mention, when she's put in the very front for the rediculously scary and out of control gun feature...she's not phased at all.
Sunday, December 7, 2003
Andrea Pappa
For being there every week, ready to learn and consistantly knowing her stuff. For encouraging others (including the floor crew) to be the best they can be. For being an unsung hero - a leader without a title.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Amber Nichols
For always being open to criticism (positive or negative) and taking everything the staff says to heart. She truely listens to everything the Unity Winter Ensemble staff has to say, and that is what enables her to get closer and closer to achieving her potential.
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Kelly Sweeney
For coming to tryouts at the beginning of the 2003-2004 season knowing very little about the visual ensemble in her own high school marching band and becoming an intricate part of Unity. Not to mention, hanging next to some of the best performers in the chapter - this was a tough group to walk into.
Sunday, January 4, 2004
Lindsay Carbone
For performing all the counts while doing "the run" and not looking like she was about to DIE at the end of it! For always trying to be the one that everyone looks at FIRST on the floor and teaching those around her how to do the same.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Angie Karduss
Everytime the staff takes a moment to stop and observe the team in front of them, we notice Angie helping those who don't necessarily understand immediately. She also gets the Unity Stick for having a positive attitude about the most impossible situations - especially crazy drill we wrote when we had lost all sense of distance and time. :)
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Amanda Comer
Amanda always shows up to practice with a smile on her face. She's always pleasant and nice to everyone else in the ensemble. She also tries hard to understand and achieve every equipment phrase in the show as it's being taught.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Briana Baumbarger
For helping Jen with the counts when she was cleaning the flag work. For always knowing what's going on in the block and on the floor. For loving colorguard and always trying to be the best she can be every second of practice.
Sunday, February 1, 2004
Lauren Meriano
Lauren gets the Unity Stick for being able to do the rifle parallel without flinching like me, MP. For making the rifles better with every word she said on January 25th when she was cleaning them. For motivating herself and the guard to be solid on their equipment by leading through example.
Sunday, February 8, 2004
Danny Reynolds
For coming to rehearsal even though he's not "marching" and being the DJ! For always taking the initiative to help out Unity Winter Ensemble as a whole without thinking about what recognition he's going to get after the fact.
Sunday, February 15, 2004
ME! Mary Pierce
Because yesterday was my 26th birthday and my kids are WONDERFUL!
Sunday, February 22, 2004
NO PRACTICE BECAUSE UNITY DID SUCH A GREAT JOB AT THEIR FIRST COMPETITION! I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT DAY OFF!
Sunday, February 29, 2004
Jody Howell
For putting colorguard first on her priority list and not leaving in the middle of rehearsal to do other things. She definately has shown her dedication to the ensemble, and the staff appreciates her effort.
Sunday, March 7, 2004
Nicole Nichols
For being as into the show as much as possible. What a scary job with the make up and hair! Great job at the Apex show!
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Angie Karduss
For being Bruce Willis - Die Hard, dedicated, hard headed, thick, stubborn, and rediculously determined to march regardless of the fact that she had a legitimate injury. Great Job Angie! I admire your need to perform.
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Sarah Brooks
Sarah was great at being the extra set of eyes, willing helping hand, and lender of great ideas and thoughts while Janine was running practice by herself. Thank you for playing nurse, being a marching tech, and generally being a staff member! Everyone you helped will remember you for many years to come!
Sunday, April 4, 2004
Amanda Comer
For setting aside a whole day to help Unity Winter Ensemble fundraise. For always sharing her ideas at rehearsal and not holding back any creative energy. For being, by far, the most improved guard member since the fall! Thanks, Amanda, for all your hard work!
Monday, April 12, 2004
Amber Nichols
For always taking every criticism and every show change and responding "I'll Try." Thank you for being a great example - you're always willing to try and that's how each and every one of us achieves. Never give up that determination.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Mike Stringfellow
For always being there cheering Unity Winter Ensemble on! Through crutches, sickness, even when he lost his flip flops...Mike has always made every attempt possible to be there for the girls and the staff. Thanks, Mike, for putting your all into the floor crew. Without your constant effort, we'd be lost.
Sunday, April 25, 2004
Jessica Roberts
Dubbed by the director as the unsung hero of Unity Winter Ensemble, Jess got blessed with the Unity Stick for always knowing her work, trying her hardest, and being one of the best silent leaders the staff has ever had the pleasure of teaching. Specifically, Jessica got the stick for being the example of the day and being consistant, loving her activity and doing her best at it every day. She never showed up to a rehearsal with the outside weighing on her mind...she was always focused and ready to do her job this season. Thanks for being GREAT!