Multiple Tyrone students competed in their season-opening competition on Saturday, February 1st, at the Homer-Center High School in Homer City, PA.

This competition was a preview show, which meant each unit got to perform privately for the judges and received direct critique from them before performing for their scores and placement in the competition.

Tyrone Percussion is the Scholastic Open Stationary Atlantic Coast Champion title holder, and their first competition out of the gate, they did not fail to represent that title.

Percussion placed first in their category, with a score of 68.80. Though they were the only ones in their category in this competition, this is still an incredible first score.

Tyrone Colorguard also competed, placing fourth out of five in the Scholastic Novice Guard category with a score of 49.64.

“I am very proud of the team for how the competition went. We have 10 kids, and five of them are brand new to indoor colorguard,” Colorguard senior Lacie Geissinger said.

“We have only been able to have five practices due to struggles with gym availability, so getting out on the floor and performing as well as we did was a huge accomplishment for this group,” Geissinger said.

Geissinger also received the Region 11 “Performer of the Week” award at this competition.

“It was really nice to receive the Performer of the Week award. I put a lot of outside work into colorguard and our show, so it was nice to be recognized as an individual,” Geissinger said.

Many Tyrone students participate in the Star-Lite Independent Competition teams, including Dance and Novice and Senior Twirling groups.

Star-Lite instructor Marcia Fink shared some behind-the-scenes of competition season preparation with Eagle Eye.

“Our journey to competition season begins during the summer months! The instructors discuss what we want for the following year, listen to a lot of music, and get a lot of suggestions,” Fink said.

Fink continued by explaining the process of finding costumes to go along with the music and theme, as well as picking costumes that would compliment each unique body type, making their best attempt at making each girl feel the most comfortable.

Star-Lite Dance proudly holds the Independent Novice Dance Atlantic Coast Champion title, which they earned in their inaugural season with the Tournament Indoor Association.

At the Homer-Center competition, Star-Lite Dance also achieved first place in their category, scoring 60.01, upholding their reputation.

“We instructors want the experience to be fun, encourage creativity, stepping outside of their boxes, [encourage] teamwork, leadership, how to win, and how to accept a loss. Sportsmanship is so important to us all,” Fink said.

The Star-Lite Senior Twirlers also placed first in the Independent A Class category at the competition, with an impressive score of 64.32.

The Star-Lite Novice Twirlers, now in a new category, placed second with a score of 65.57. Being in a new category means this team is now judged and scored differently than in the Junior category. Therefore, conforming to the new parameters and achieving this score is no easy feat.