Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations. Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. This amount of the lawsuit included recovery for lost sponsorships and pledged donations to The Cadets and YEA!, a major loss of participants in the US Bands program, as well as legal fees incurred due to the scandal. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. Im angry. You need complete concentration on everything you do because if you dont, you could get someone else hurt or you can hurt yourself, Calhoun said. After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. "I felt pressured and I felt cornered. Allentown Cadets director resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations George Hopkins, the former director of Allentown's famed Cadets drum corps, was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting two former employees, another striking turn in what had been an illustrious, four-decade-long career that took Hopkins to the top of the national youth activity. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. Taught numerous bands. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. "There were some tears. In 1940, the Cadets won the American Legion Junior National Championship in Boston, the first of a record nine Legion titles the corps would win between 1940 and 1964. [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. The 36-year-old woman addressed Anthony and spoke about years of fear, shame and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana But this isnt the military. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. April 13, 2018. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . [6] The only junior drum and bugle corps older than The Cadets is the Racine Scouts, which was founded in 1927. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. On July 4, 1986 the Cadets performed as a part of the Liberty Weekend celebrating both the hundredth anniversary and the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins settles with YEA on On April 5, 2018, allegations were made in published reports that the longstanding corps director, George Hopkins, sexually harassed or abused multiple members of the corps and staff over a period of years. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . It took a summer without performances, said Connell, for people to step back and realize that what they thought was tough love was actually systemic negligence. "We are now opening a new chapter in the storied history of The Cadets by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity guided by the following founding principles: To educate youth from around the globe on the value of teamwork, inclusiveness, kindness, self-expression, and open communication; To create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants; and To enrich lives by teaching critical development skills required for the pursuit of personal excellence.". Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. . As presented, the Cadets did turn to Black renditions of the Cadets uniforms at the end of 2015. The Cadets - Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins A | Facebook In the criminal case, prosecutors allege Hopkins, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, sexually assaulted a former employee at his Allentown apartment after they met at a bar to discuss drum corps rules. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. I think from here on out, theres a new level and a new sense of accountability that we as alumni of the Corps are unified in making sure that these experiences dont happen again, said former Troopers color guard member Vanessa Connell. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. Error! George Hopkins Bio You need to make sure that you are taking care of them. has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. and only for this show no black uniform. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. The City of Erie welcomed The Cadets with open arms, offering access to local business relationships, services, volunteers, and new opportunities for funding and partnerships. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. Many of the women who spoke to Philly.com said they felt empowered to come forward by the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct that has toppled powerful men in news and entertainment. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. Please subscribe to keep reading. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. Free Access to this video! Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. At one point, a staff member called members of his section worthless to their faces, because they couldnt march without passing out from untended injuries. The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. [22][23], At the annual World Championship Finals, Drum Corps International (DCI) presents awards to the corps with the high average scores from prelims, semifinals, and finals in five captions. which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). George Hopkins, who led The Cadets to renown and a slew of national and world championships, stepped down from the Allentown-based group after Philly.com reported Thursday that nine women had accused him of sexual harassment or abuse. View George Hopkins' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. You have permission to edit this article. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny The members and staff, however, were not willing to cease the corps operations, and reorganized as a new organization, even though the parish kept the uniforms and instruments. For those of you who do not follow the drum corps news, George Hopkins recently resigned as the director of the Cadets because of sexual misconduct allegations from nine women. Rescue operations underway as Wyoming blizzard continues to wreak havoc, Applications open for nonprofit 1-cent funding, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Gordon discusses importance of focusing on Wyoming solutions, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities. Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. Since the assault in the apartment occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. And I never said no. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! George Hopkins, the former CEO of the Allentown-based Youth Education in the Arts, faces three felony counts of sexual assault for allegedly assaulting two former employees. Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. The Cadets Drum Corps (formerly the Holy Name Cadets, Cadets of Garfield, Garfield Cadets, and Cadets of Bergen County) is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from a woman who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010. (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . [20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. George Hopkins, who also ran the youth arts education nonprofit that operates the Cadets program, pleaded no contest to the charges in 2020 and is now serving two years of probation. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. That might be because people are running their faucets to keep pipes from freezing. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. Youth Education in. Advertisement Allentown News Vicki Ferrence Ray, Interim Executive Director of CAE, subsequently signed an agreement to make the Erie Sports Center The Cadets' year-round home. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Cadets was one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.[1]. They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. Beyer, who said Hopkins assaulted her after she went to work for the corps, watched his plea and sentencing Thursday, but did not speak in court. Drum and bugle corps perform intricate routines that incorporate music, marching, dance and color guards. I want to see what else is in that video that is dramatically different than what she told detectives two months later, Bergstrom said. Consent matters.. These sort of militaristic rituals, paired with constant reminders about how grateful members should be for their spot on the corps, foster a culture of negligence that came to light last month when several former members went public with allegations, leading to the resignation of former corps director Kristy Jackson. Renowned former drum corps leader charged with sex assault | Fox News money, and members. 253 votes, 88 comments. The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. Former drum corps leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. 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Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. In 1969, the corps became coed. ; Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00, United States Scholastic Band Association, "corpsreps.com The Drum Corps Repertoire Database", "Determination: Believing in the Midwest Combine", "Bang the Drum Slowly: A Championship Drum and Bugle Corps Leaves the State", "The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps: A history of alleged sexual abuse", "Statement from the Board of Directors of Youth Education in the Arts", "YEA! ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one day off per month. Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. She said Hopkins' denials on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 he complained he had been smeared were a constant source of anxiety. The woman addressed Anthony in court, telling him of years of fear, shame, and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. and USBands affects the lives of tens of thousands of students each year and I feel humbled to have played a small part in that. He now is awaiting trial in Lehigh County on charges of sexually assaulting two of the women. Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations ACLU says it could take legal action over Saucon Valley School District rescinding approval for After School Satan Club, Big rig crashes from I-81 bridge onto street below in Schuylkill, 'He was a very humble guy': Reading High soccer coach remembers player killed in Route 33 crash, Eat, Sip, Shop: Refresh your ride at new Lehigh County store, selling high-quality car detailing products, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- The longtime leader of a champion Pennsylvania-based drum and bugle corps has resigned in the wake of a newspaper report that contained allegations of sexual misconduct spanning nearly four decades. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. And those folks do it without flinching. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. Youth in Education in the Arts has issued a second statement on Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins' resignation that came after a Philadelphia Inquirer article on sexual allegations. The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. Charges were filed against Hopkins in November 2018, months after Youth Education in the Arts launched an investigation after about a dozen women accused Hopkins of sexual misconduct. Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! Defense attorney Thomas Bergstrom had previously filed a motion asking that The Philadelphia Inquirer provide the full and unedited video interview with one of Hopkins accusers that it had produced and published online. Michael Berry, attorney for the Inquirer, countered that the defense could interview Beyer on its own or cross-examine her at trial. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. Success! George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by nearly a dozen women, pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was. Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins waives hearing on sexual Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault Two more women say they were raped by George Hopkins, bringing to 11 the number who have accused the former drum and bugle corps director of sexual misconduct. George Hopkins, longtime director of the Cadets drum corps, resigns Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. Second, I want to thank the USBands team for their hard work. Not just for [the victim] but for all the women who are taken advantage of by predators like you, Anthony said. as of March 31, 2020. The judge did not issue a ruling from the bench on Bergstroms motion. In 2003, Yea!