^{Each year, winter guards from across the world travel to Dayton, Ohio in early April for the Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships. With approximately 80 guards competing in the Independent A classification, Georgia State University Winter Guard (an auxiliary unit of the GSU Marching Band) presented their 2014 show “Before My Time,” and after three rounds of competition were named World Champions of the Color Guard Independent A Class.} 

^{“WGI Sport of the Arts is the world's premier organization producing indoor color guard and percussion ensemble competitions. As a non-profit youth organization, WGI serves as the leading governing body of the winter guard and indoor percussion activities. It is called the Sport of the Arts because it brings music to life through performance in a competitive format. Now entering its 37th year, the sport continues to evolve and grow. There were more than 36,000 participants at the regional level, and more than 12,000 participants at the Sport of the Arts World Championships” last year” (wgi.org).}

^{The GSU Winter Guard finished the preliminary competition placing 4th with a score of 87.61, moving on to perform in the Semi-Finals competition on Friday, April 4, where they placed first with a score of 90.24. Among those in the competition were winter guards from the University of Memphis, James Madison University, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Purdue University and The University of Notre Dame. The Independent A Class Finals competition was held on Friday night, with the field narrowed to sixteen performing groups.  After a very moving and emotional performance, the GSU Winter Guard was awarded WGI Independent A Class World Champions with a score of 96.07.}

^{When asked about the experience, GSU senior and winter guard member, Clarissa Wallen said, “It was surreal. We worked hard all season to be our best. Never did we think we would win, but it is a great feeling – one we will never forget.” “It was a Cinderella story as the three-year-old winter guard rehearsed for six months and rose from a number eleven ranking to the top,” said Andria Foerch, director of the marching band color guard and winter guard.}

^{Dr. Chester Phillips, Director of Athletic Bands and Associate Director of Bands said, “We are all so proud of this accomplishment by our outstanding students and staff. Having a guard that is only three years old named World Champions is an amazing feat.”}

^{Dr. Robert Ambrose, Director of Bands for the GSU School of Music, wrote to the winter guard students, “Words cannot possibly express how proud I am of each and every one of you for your performance at the Winter Guard International World Championships this past weekend. . . 2014 WGI Independent A Class World Champions!!  Absolutely amazing!!! Bravissimo!!!!”}

A part of the marching band staff, Andria Foerch, Rick Subel and Danny Acevedo also lead the instruction for the GSU Winter Guard. For more information about the winter guard and other Georgia State University Bands visit www.marchingband.gsu.edu.