Submitted by Mike Palau

On Saturday, March 14, 2016 Freedom High School hosted it’s annual show for the FFCC,  and you could not have asked for a better day for color guard! This particular time of the year is always exciting with the end of the season just weeks away. For some units this was the last time they are seen before going to Daytona Beach for FFCC championships. For other
units, it was a last look before going to compete at the WGI Power Regional in the UCF arena. However, all the units are looking for the same thing:that last bit of advice from the judges before continuing on their own prospective paths.

The Freedom show started out with the Cadet class and two programs that have a way of making anyone smile: Gamble Rodgers and Murray Middle School. On this day, Gamble Rodgers would come out on top with just a .42 difference above Murray Middle. Both programs offered a glimpse into what the future holds and it is very exciting to see.

The B Class featured a wide array of genres: From Jazz to Classic Rock, from Love to Zombies, there were many different themes being offered which made it the most unique of all the classes from top to bottom. With most of the units still growing into their thematic choices, it will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of weeks under one roof and how they all stack up against each other. For this week Lake Nona JV took first place with Apopka JV on their tails with less than a point dividing the two groups.

The monster class of the day goes to the AAA class. There was a need for two rounds to hold it all together. The first round had 7 groups competing, while the second round had 6 participating units. Due to an affiliation, the first round went to a four judge panel with the GE score being doubled. This is done at times to avoid any concerns from the competing units and personnel. In the first round, Fletcher continued to flex its muscle of strong design and individual performers who enjoy being in the moment by taking first followed by Hagerty and East Ridge high Schools.

The next round saw the return of two GE judges on the panel and no doubling of the GE score.  In the second round, first place went to East River who performed to “Elastic Heart” and second place going to Bartow High School and their program, “Reclaim.” In third was Bertram Trail B.  Props to the performers of East River who demonstrated great poise and control. They reacted calmly to the unfortunate situation of their sound going out during the performance.  They relied on their training and trust in each other to finish the show. Well  done!

Moving off the regional A sheets and into the A class sheets: we went into AA class where we had shows that had everything from jazz birds to airport scenes. It included scene settings that moved with white fabric that was easily manipulated and ink that came to life. William R Boone JV production jumped off of the page and the ink took home first place honors.

The A class was a chance for some of the groups to display their productions one last time before taking it to the UCF arena.  This class had its share of memorable moments with groups showing us color changes in the middle of the show. Other programs made pleads for the future to do a better job and make all people feel wanted.  We saw a painting being developed right in front of our eyes and a group of performers rise up to the call of performance.

Lake Howell locked up first place in Scholastic A class with their production called, “A Caged Bird”. The Independent A class had UCF Pegasus A radiating in first place with a nuclear knock out program called, “The Road”.

The Open and World class groups did not disappoint, living up to anticipated excellence. Presenting everything from races to jazz crazed elevator rides into the lives of people longing for each other. This was a fitting end for the tenth year anniversary of the Freedom High School show, leaving us longing for more to come.