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. 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.. Marching as the Cadets of Garfield; wearing uniforms of white shorts, red golf shirts, and "Aussie" hats; and using instruments borrowed from the Chicago Cavaliers, the corps managed to finish in second place (one spot ahead of the defending champion Cavaliers). I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of YEA! The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. I expect my final paycheck on October 18 which should include the agreed upon amount for moving expenses that has not been paid since starting in February 2017. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. "There were some tears. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). 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. wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . 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. 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He joined the staff of the Cadets in 1979 as percussion instructor and arranger, moving up to become Assistant Director under Dr. Santo . If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. Two additional women, including Beyer, came forward within days to say they were also victims. George Hopkins - Founder - 11 Rings | LinkedIn Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. Edwin Garrity of the Holy Name Catholic parish in Garfield, New Jersey founded the Holy Name Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1934 as an activity for the boys in the parish. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. 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. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . 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! Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. This time, people considered dramatic steps to change the face of the Cadets and for all time, to shift the trajectory of the most honored drum and bugle corps in history. In February 2023, CAE announced a long-term partnership with the Erie Sports Center, resulting in a decision to move The Cadets and all operations of CAE to Erie, Pa. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. 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. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. 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. The Troopers Alumni band open during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! What is clear ---I need an assistant. YEA! And those folks do it without flinching. "I just kept saying no, don't do this, I don't want to do this," said Marie, who said she went by her middle name at work. Wanneer u onze sites en apps gebruikt, gebruiken we, gebruikers authenticeren, veiligheidsmaatregelen toepassen en spam en misbruik voorkomen, en, gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content weergeven op basis van interesseprofielen, de effectiviteit meten van gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content, en, onze producten en services ontwikkelen en verbeteren. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! There was an error processing your request. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. 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. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. Stuart Evan Rice said in an interview this week that he told Dan Acheson . 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. In 1987, the corps won its fourth DCI crown in five years. 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. [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. And I never said no. A six-month investigation into Allentown's Youth Education in the Arts is now complete. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. Four months after the director of Allentown's famed Cadets drum corps, George Hopkins, resigned amid a sexual misconduct scandal, the spotlight has now turned on another, smaller corps Pioneer of Milwaukee. In 2022, The Cadets entered into a partnership with the Erie Sports Center as the new spring training site for the corps' May-June rehearsals. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation The Inquirer is telling me I need to go to another source, and there isnt one, he argued. With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence. ; 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! He began as Director in 1983 Former drum corps leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge Updated Nov 13, 2018. April 13, 2018. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? Broke-down buses, Ibuprofen, and a sex offender: On the road with To honor their 75th anniversary, the corps was called the Holy Name Cadets for the 2009 season. 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! 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. Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations. I just felt like, Well, youre right. 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. 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. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. Drum Corps International, the sanctioning body for competition youth drum corps events, said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned" by the allegations against Hopkins. I felt so used.". A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. In 1969, the corps became coed. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. 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. The corps was known not only for its talent but for its traveling to compete. The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps - Wikipedia It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. [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. YEA rejects ex-director's resignation, fires him amid allegations, New twists appear in relation to former Cadets Director George Hopkins, Investigation underway into YEA! Renowned former drum corps leader charged with sex assault | Fox News moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. There is an interview with Beyer that is readily available to the public that will allow the Bergstrom to build his defense, Berry argued. During his tenure, Hopkins took the Cadets to 10 world championships and was an icon in the drum corps community. 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. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli GH doesnt love the CADET Organisation he made himself an empire..to support him with his RV and 200K salary plus all the other extras.Laughing at everyone all the way to the bank.. Laura Masker I am not disagreeing with you as far as GH is concerned. He's due back in court in February. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. But no one is irreplaceable. CEO while denying the allegations. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. . "I never said yes. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. But with the end of 2015, other changes occured. 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. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. Berry cited precedent in which a federal court found that the defense had not exhausted all other avenues for getting information before a media outlet was forced to hand over an interview. I was just going to say, check his will! People are using more water. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. 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. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. In a high-profile case that came to light in 2018, a former director of the Allentown Cadets was accused of sexual misconduct ranging from verbal harassment to rape by 12 women, several of them former corps members. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. You have permission to edit this article. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. Not just for [the victim] but for all the women who are taken advantage of by predators like you, Anthony said. 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. Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. The truth about George Hopkins : r/drumcorps - reddit established a hotline for calls to report concerns or complaints.[11]. George Hopkins, longtime director of the Cadets drum corps, resigns But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. On the social media site Medium.com former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins writes: , Sexual assault charges have been filed against the former director of the famed Allentown Ca. The reasons why may be about more than money. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. 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. and only for this show no black uniform. They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, to which Hopkins pleaded no contest. (CAE). Success! 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. 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"). Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. Follow More from Medium Mark. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. 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. His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. Youth Education in. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. The Alliance members felt that the corps should be making their own rules, operating their own competitions and championships, and keeping the bulk of the monies those shows earned. 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. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. Lees ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid voor meer informatie over hoe we uw persoonsgegevens gebruiken. For more than 30 years, George Hopkins has been a major proponent of changes in instrumentation, education and contest guidelines, such as initiating the use of band instruments, electronics, removal of sidelines and other alternatives. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The lyrics are taught to new members each summer and sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. In written remarks later directed at Hopkins, she said she had joined the Cadets bright-eyed, eager, and innocently believing that through hard work and integrity most things were possible., Instead, she said, working for the Cadets meant being subjected to verbal and sexual abuse. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello.. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. Former Cadet Lee Ann Riley said she was 17 when Hopkins, then 23, forced himself on her and had sex with her. Presidents of our country die Laura Masker-Holland and VP takes over and our country still goes on. In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. George Hopkins Resigns As Director Of Cadets Following Sexual Assault Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. Report clears former Cadets employee ensnared in boss's sexual She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. 253 votes, 88 comments. Through his attorney, Hopkins said he did not know who Marie is, but denied her allegation. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. Cadets are in troubleGH loves it that way.He wants there to be no Cadets if something happens to him.Cadets are in trouble for the FUTURE!!! In her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 10 in E minor, Op. She said the memories can, at times, still knock the wind out of me, but I get up., I dont just get up and go to work to hide my pain and put the abuse behind me, she wrote. You need to make sure that you are taking care of them. 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. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! For those who outright pretty much called me a liar, Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli Thx you Caren Blundetto-Frech!! These PEOPLE are your most important asset. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by a dozen women, pleaded no contest on Thursday to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years of probation. I believe you, Calhoun said, I am worthless. 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. 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. George Hopkins, the director of The Cadets, talks about the 2017 show, "The Faithful, The Fallen, The Forgiven." George talks about the process of designing the show, the use of the singers, the three different uniforms worn by the corps, and about the issues the activity is facing around amplification 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. But even after he was let go, Connell said he was still allowed around corps members who knew what had happened and had reported him to the administration because he was the organizations connection to the housing site where they were staying. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. 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. 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. money, and members. . Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. Exercise was often used as punishment for messing up. Wij, Yahoo, maken deel uit van de Yahoo-merkenfamilie. [6] The only junior drum and bugle corps older than The Cadets is the Racine Scouts, which was founded in 1927. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Allentown Cadets director resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video.
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