2010 STATE CHAMPIONS and GOLD medalists!!!!

This WEEK!!!!

The time is quickly approaching.... I CANNOT believe we are wrapping up the 3rd Winter Guard season for the Ellis Emeralds.  I am very excited about the trip coming up and I am even more excited about the dedication, hard work and preparation that I have seen from such a great group of young ladies.  :)

A few last minute details to help us as we get closer to departure.

• The Itinerary online is correct.  We do have the performance times that are within that block, but overall everything stays pretty much the same.  When you receive the official itinerary on Friday morning you will the exact time that we discussed posted.  Also, instead of going downtown for dinner, we will go for lunch, which will give us more time. In the meantime if you have questions ASK! 
• We discussed the possibility of going to Wild Horse as a group.  As of right now, enough people have not turned in their information.  If they do by this afternoon then we will go, if not then we will not.  I will let you know when I am positive. 
• TRAVEL FORMS ARE PAST DUE!!!!!!
• INTERSTATE:  There is a large delay on I-65 North around the Cullman exit.  It has been advised that we find an alternate route due to the fact the delay has taken up to 2 hours, which we do not have in our schedule.  It is only 20 more minutes according to google maps to go to Gadsden, get on I-59 and go North to Chattanooga then over to Nashville.  The total trip being 4 hours and 23 minutes as opposed to 4 hours. The downfall is that they are doing construction here as well and it is a one lane road... however, the traffic moves at a consistent pace here and will not slow us too much.  
• Friday Lunch.... We will still stop at Steak 'n shake on the way up.  We will just stop at a different location.  It is actually still about 30 minutes outside of Nashville like before...I will have a map for the location... it is right on the interstate.  (Symrna, TN)
• I also have your 2nd Green shirt if you ordered one.  If you did not order one and would like to get one.  I have SOME sizes but they are limited so act fast.  

I believe that is all for now.  See you Thursday, for another STELLAR rehearsal.

updates!

 

Please be sure to check out the Calendar link on the side.  

CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE!

 As school starts back I am a little sad the break is over, as I know most of you are too, however, I am very excited about the first week back.  We were able to get another practice in on Tuesday due to some changes to the high school girls schedule.  Please check the calendar and be sure that you know times and places and  what to wear.  If you have questions be sure to ask Lacey or me. 

Your performance at Killen was great.  The judges really had some good comments, both about things you did well and suggestions to make it better.  We have a few things to fix and improve upon (no major changes), but with some hard work and dedication you will have a good standing as we go to Nashville on Friday.  I am very excited about the trip with such a great group of young ladies and hope that we can find it to be VERY rewarding!  As you come back to school on Monday do all you can to get as focused on the task at hand as you possibly can.  We have not got a minute to spare.  

In case you did not notice.  The video is posted below from Brooks High School.  

I received an email from the SCGC director that stated that we would have official times available on Monday before 5pm.  I am hoping I get them sometime during the day and can plug in specific times so you can the final itinerary at Mondays rehearsal.   You will receive a packet on Friday morning when you arrive with a copy of the Itinerary, maps, address, etc.  that you will need for the trip. 

Ellis Emeralds @ Brooks

Above is the video from the Competition at Brooks High School in Killen, AL. 

You can watch the DD or DD+ on their blogs as well.
Enjoy!

Nashville Itinerary

Hi All.
The itinerary for Nashville has been posted on the calendar.  You can also link to it by clicking HERE.
Keep in mind it is a VERY rough draft, but should help you see what to expect to help you make plans for the trip. 
A detailed and up to date Itinerary will be posted on Monday, March 22, 2010,  when the official schedule is released by the SCGC.

The smiling game. :)

Hey girls!
I wanted to take some time and tell you that you had a productive practice on Thursday.
I have seen you do a lot of work in a small amount of time before so lets keep that speed so that you can have the best possible performances until the end of the season (and further)!

Bring positive, bubbly attitudes and smiling faces to practice this week so we can get a lot done!
And more importantly, Keep practicing over spring break! That could make all the difference come championships!

I don't get to tell you that much, but you all make me a very proud instructor and friend. :)

Thank you for your hard work!
<3 Lacey

Floor painting....

Anyone who would like to help add more paint splashes to the floor is welcome to help. We will be working on it Monday, March 8, 2010 right after practice.  You can stay a little while or until we finish.  We anticipate it will take a little over an hour, but hopefully we will be done by 7pm. 

Reminders!

We are over halfway through the season and have only one regular season competition left, then championships.  As we strive toward SCGC Championships, please practice at home and with each other in order to do your very best.  We want to have a great show at Killen this weekend, hopefully putting us in a great spot in Nashville.  For those of you who may not be aware, our scores help us get a better performance spot in Nashville.

I look forward to an OUTSTANDING trip to Nashville in a few weeks, hopefully bringing home a medal. We still have a few changes to make in order to make that last push to boost our score.  I will post a very rough draft of the Nashville Itinerary on the blog calendar next week.  If you are unable to see the links to the documents on the calendar, be sure to click on the event, then on details.  Another page should open that holds the information.

Anyone with remaining fees must have those paid by the Nashville Trip.  The money for the Hotel is due on Friday, March 12, 2010, before Spring Break.  Please be sure to get that in to secure your room.  Rooms will only be reserved that are paid for.  Students must stay at the same hotel as the group, however, parents may choose to stay at our hotel or somewhere on our own. 

Be sure to refer to the calendar often for updates and changes.  You will see next week that we have two practices just like normal and then our Friday run-through.  We will wear uniforms on FRIDAY's run through. Come to practice ready to work and on time.  In the room or in the bathroom changing is not on time; you must be dressed and ready to go at 3:30 in order to not be counted tardy. 

As things wrap up review your handbook and demerits.  Simple things such as being late for practice should not be a reason you miss one of the most exciting parts of the season.  Being great is hard work and the fun comes from being successful.  We have had a VERY successful season so far and I look forward to  the next few weeks.

The following quote came from a friend and I thought it was very truthful....."The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed" - Chinese Proverb

Push to the  END ... the reward will be GREAT!  :)

ORDERS DUE!

ALL Krispy Kreme Doughnut orders are due on MONDAY, March 8, 2010, before the end of the school day. 

Be sure that you have clearly marked ALL orders and collected the money for those orders placed.