[6] The only junior drum and bugle corps older than The Cadets is the Racine Scouts, which was founded in 1927. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. I believe you, Calhoun said, I am worthless. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. . I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. One former Youth Education in the Arts employee who spoke to Philly.com on condition that she was identified only by her first name, Marie, said Hopkins routinely harassed and assaulted her at work. The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 2018. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). Prosecutor Matthew Falk, the offices chef deputy district attorney, said Beyer, the woman in the allegation dating to 2008, decided that not pursuing these charges are in her best interest, and we support her in that. The victim in the 2010 assault has asked not to be named. 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. The YEA! April 13, 2018. I felt so used.". Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. [17], The Cadets was formerly part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA! They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. In her 2018 account to The Inquirer, that woman, Jessica Beyer, said she had marched with the Cadets and was hired to work for the group the following year at age 22. Presidents of our country die Laura Masker-Holland and VP takes over and our country still goes on. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by nine women in a 2018 Inquirer article. separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear, Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls, California residents do not sell my data request. Follow More from Medium Mark. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer 2; Steve Vickers, ed. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. 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. In addition to The Cadets, YEA! First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jell-O.. One possible side effect of the frigid temps? The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. The reasons why may be about more than money. In 2003, Yea! Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. Success! Calhoun marched in 2016 and 2017 before leaving the corps in July of his second year in the midst of mental and physical illness, compounded by the rigors of tour. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. There, she said, he gave her a glass of wine and sexually assaulted her. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. 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. George Hopkins. Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. in May, stating it had lost $1.5 million in sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales after the allegations against Hopkins were made public in the 2018 Inquirer account. There was upset from some people, as you can see, and others saw the progression as an effort to maintain the Cadets as an organization steeped in tradition but also very, very progressive when it came to new ideas, new concepts, and fresh presentations. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. 10 in E minor, Op. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said, READ MORE: Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls. Thats if they make it onto the corps which is decided over several monthly training camps, between which corps hopefuls have to complete video assignments and track their diet and exercise. Not someone who wants to be an assistant. Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Advertisement Allentown News We could soon find out, A windy, cloudy Saturday for the Lehigh Valley, but the sun will come out tomorrow, Six years after hazing death, Penn State plans to drop the Greek life oversight it championed. as of March 31, 2020. 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. Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins . to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. People are using more water. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. This action was taken in reaction to the rigid, inflexible rules of the American Legion and VFW (the primary rule makers and sponsors of both corps and shows) and the low or nonexistent performance fees paid for appearing in the various competitions. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from one victim who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010 at age 26, and who provided her account to The Inquirer in 2018. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. And I never said no. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by numerous women in a 2018 Philadelphia Inquirer article, and was criminally charged in connection with two alleged incidents later that year. On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX XXXX@XXXX.com wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. says every person associated with its drum corps programs must sign a code of conduct, , There's another twist in the ongoing investigation over sexual assault allegations targeting, Documents obtained by 69 News appear to show former Youth Education in the Arts CEO and Alle, The investigation into sexual misconduct allegations at the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle , The organization that oversees Allentown's famed Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. As presented, the Cadets did turn to Black renditions of the Cadets uniforms at the end of 2015. After roughly a month of trying to leave, Calhoun said he finally did it in July, cutting his touring season short. The judge did not issue a ruling from the bench on Bergstroms motion. Jackie Fritsche You beat me to it. For those who outright pretty much called me a liar, Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli Thx you Caren Blundetto-Frech!! Former drum corps director awaiting trial in sex assault case sues for severance, Former drums corps director pleads no-contest to 2010 indecent assault, Closure of YEA is final chapter in series of struggles over the years, Fire broke out in a Lower Macungie apartment building, Champions of Magic's Alex McAleer gives an exciting look at the upcoming live show, Pet of the Month: Nina from Ruff Life Rescue, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor needs volunteers, Allentown Public Library celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday with children's activities, Kindness Project teams up with Flavor Nation to give away free tacos, History's Headlines: The Lehigh Valley's music man, Berks County Parks invites people to their Winter Wellness Walk, Royals host "kids takeover" game where kids get a taste of the sports business, Wilson School students raise $83k to fight childhood cancer, Berks County Intermediate Unit receives $3.18 million in grants for Head Start programs, 'First in the nation' bill to provide free screenings for breast cancer to receive full Pa. Senate vote, Reading Area Water Authority looking for leak on North Heidelberg Township line, Former Penn State Berks soccer player among dead in violent Monroe County crash, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South, Ukraine ally Kallas fights for reelection in Estonia vote, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs, 6 Nigerian states drop suit to void presidential vote result, The implications of Walgreens' decision on abortion pills, What the Tech? A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. In his federal lawsuit seeking severance pay and other monies, Hopkins asserts that he resigned from the organization by letter on April 5, and that his departure was "mutually agreed"-upon. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! Im angry. This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one day off per month. Also in 1971, the Garfield Cadets, along with the 27th Lancers, Boston Crusaders, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, and Blue Rock, formed the United Organization of Junior Corps (also known as the "Alliance"). "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . how enemies came to be friends. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from a woman who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . 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. "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. With no 2020 drum corps season, Cadets Arts & Entertainment focused its attention on establishing clear policies, strict safeguards and strategic committees that meet regularly to help guide The Cadets forward. [10] The organization also hired a Chicago labor and employment law firm, Franczek Radelet, to investigate the accusations against Hopkins as well as YEA!s policies and procedures for providing a safe environment for youth members, employees, and volunteers. Man missing since 2021 was murdered, co-worker arrested: DA, Brian Laundrie was 'emotional bully,' Petito family lawsuit says, Pa. woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. Vicki Ferrence Ray, Interim Executive Director of CAE, subsequently signed an agreement to make the Erie Sports Center The Cadets' year-round home. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. 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, Former Allentown Cadets director issues statement claiming innocence, Charges filed against former Allentown Cadets director, Investigation into YEA sexual misconduct allegations complete, Report clears former YEA interim CEO of wrongdoing, YEA! That might be because people are running their faucets to keep pipes from freezing. "[12] As a part of the terms of probation, the corps' reassessed their planned travel to the West Coast to open the season, and instead decided to proceed with a schedule redrawn for East Coast shows. Hopkins, George. I was just going to say, check his will! She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. The women are among roughly a dozen connected to the Cadets organization who say they were sexually assaulted by Hopkins dating back to the 1980s. 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 after sexual misconduct allegations April 6, 2018, 7:20 AM The decorated director of The Cadets drum and bugle corps. George Hopkins, the former director of the renowned Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps, appeared in a Lehigh County courtroom Tuesday morning and gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on . It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. 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. "I never said yes. YEA! In addition, YEA! 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. "I felt pressured and I felt cornered. Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. As promised, here is Part 1, of an eight part interview/discussion with the designers and teachers of the Cadets 1983-84-85, the holders of the first Drum Corps International three-peat, and . Free Access to this video! With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence. It comes from the higher-ups, it comes from the admin, it comes from the board of directors, it comes from the staff, the caption staff, the people that are in charge of putting on the show. ALLENTOWN, Pa. | The defense attorney for the former drum corps director accused of sexual assault is demanding that a newspaper turn over its unedited video interview of his clients accuser in order to prepare a proper defense. 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. Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . Former drum corps director expected to plead guilty to sex assault charges, Fire broke out in a Lower Macungie apartment building, Champions of Magic's Alex McAleer gives an exciting look at the upcoming live show, Pet of the Month: Nina from Ruff Life Rescue, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor needs volunteers, Allentown Public Library celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday with children's activities, Kindness Project teams up with Flavor Nation to give away free tacos, History's Headlines: The Lehigh Valley's music man, Berks County Parks invites people to their Winter Wellness Walk, Royals host "kids takeover" game where kids get a taste of the sports business, Wilson School students raise $83k to fight childhood cancer, Berks County Intermediate Unit receives $3.18 million in grants for Head Start programs, 'First in the nation' bill to provide free screenings for breast cancer to receive full Pa. Senate vote, Reading Area Water Authority looking for leak on North Heidelberg Township line, Former Penn State Berks soccer player among dead in violent Monroe County crash, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South, Ukraine ally Kallas fights for reelection in Estonia vote, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs, 6 Nigerian states drop suit to void presidential vote result, The implications of Walgreens' decision on abortion pills, What the Tech? The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. The corps would fail to make DCI Finals for the first three years they were held and for six of DCI's first eight seasons. 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. 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. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Crews contend with tons of snow as they work to reopen I-80, Powell sisters die in crash with semi-truck, Long shifts, odd calls, brutal weather: inside the Wyoming Highway Patrol staffing shortage, Ex-Casper doctor imprisoned for sexually assaulting patients released years early, Lovell steps up after local sportswriter dies from car crash injuries. It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. It said it was reaching out to Youth Education in the Arts, and also planned an internal review to see whether any current members of the DCI staff knew about the allegations and failed to report them. The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! George Hopkins, former director of Allentown's elite Cadets drum and bugle corps, pleaded no contest to indecent assault after an Inquirer investigation revealed years of misconduct. Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Falk said the woman in the 2008 allegation decided that not pursuing these charges are in her best interest, and we support her in that.. He's due back in court in February. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation he could be sent to a state prison. Updated Nov 13, 2018. 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. Some people may be able to give 12 hours a day to the cause, and that is great for them and you, but my life is outside of YEA! But no one is irreplaceable. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he 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. "And he did it anyway. There was an error processing your request. She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. 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. 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. If you forget to do a step-off, someones going to collide into you with a 20-pound tuba. Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations. Hopkins, the longtime director of the famed drum corps, resigned in April after nine women whose stories spanned four decades told the Inquirer and Daily News he had sexually harassed or abused them. "He's like, 'Are you all right?' Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. The women who accused Hopkins of harassment ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents, which dated to 1980. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. [2][3][4], In 1972, the Garfield Cadets, along with the nine other corps from the Alliance and the Midwest Combine, plus the Anaheim Kingsmen, Argonne Rebels, and De La Salle Oaklands were founding members of Drum Corps International, which remains as the sanctioning body for junior corps in North America. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. Board of Directors Resigns, New Board to Guide Organization", "Former drum corps director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault", "Finding no resignation letter, YEA board fired Hopkins with no severance", "DCI action on YEA! I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of YEA! creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. 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. I get up because Ive done the work to make myself whole and understand the evil that was done to me was not because of me, but because of you.. . Second, I want to thank the USBands team for their hard work. won with field programs that were, and still are, viewed as ground-breaking. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. 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. Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. 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 of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. It comes from a lot of different places.. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". Twelve women have told the Inquirer they were sexually harassed or abused by Hopkins over the nearly four decades he served as director of Allentown's famed Cadets, years during which he achieved rock-star-like status in the activity. 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. At the first DCI World Championships in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the Cadets just missed making Finals and finished in thirteenth place in a competition that featured thirty-nine corps from the East, the South, the West Coast, the Midwest and Great Plains, and Canada. As a member of MAASINs whistleblowing committee, Calhoun helped compile six reports and publicized them in January.
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