2007 LPWG Awards

     It's that time of year again to hand out the LPWG Awards.  The LPWG Awards were created in 2001 and originally named the Wallboy Awards.  With the passing of time and the retirement of wallboys, the awards were re-named in 2004.  The LPWG Awards were not meant for each girl to receive an award.  They are set up like a standard awards system.  One girl has the chance to win multiple awards.  Listed below are the awards, a brief description, why the recipient has been recognized for that award, and -most importantly- who is receiving that award.  At the bottom of the page are pictures of the award winners, captioned by their names and award.  Congratulations to all of the 2007 LPWG Award winners!

Most Photogenic
This award is given to the member who always seems to find the camera.  Each year, for whatever reason, the camera seems to find one person week-in and week-out.  This year's winner was probably the least photographed last year, considering she hid behind a prop for 80% of the show.  But this year she "stepped out" and caught the eye of the camera considerably more than anyone else.  With her beeming smile, radiant personality, and great role-playing, the camera couldn't help but find its way to her direction.  This year's most photogenic member is Lyndee Stisher.

Mental Attitude
As intense as a winter season can get, you have to be in the right frame of mind to mentally make it through.  This girl not only always had a positive attitude, but she willingly accepted criticism from anyone.  In fact, many times she would ask for criticism.  Her mind was always on making herself better to make the guard better.  In everything she did, she did it to the fullest extent.  This year's winner carries herself as a very mature person.  You'd never tell that she's only in eighth grade!!  Congratulations to Madison Chartier for constant dedication and positive attitude!

(Triple) Double Stack Award
This award is given to the girl most associated with the art of food consumption.  Is there really any question as to who would win this award?  Nobody has even come to close to her last year's performance of eating a 5-patty hamburger and then an entire meal after.  This girl has distanced herself from the competition, and since nobody ate 6 patties, she will win it again.  Stephanie Willis has been awarded the Triple-Double Stack Award.

Most Expressional Performer
The LaPorte High School Winter Guard is one of the most, if not the most, expressional guards.  Especially this year where expression played such an important role in the effect of the show.  With everyone stepping up their level of expression, it made this award the most difficult in which to choose just one person.  It's hard to know what kind of face to make at what point in the show.  For this year's winner, it seemed to come naturally.  She was often the model facial expression for her peers - sometimes not even realizing she was doing it.  This girl was asked to portray a wide variety of emotions throughout the show.  Her opening choreography had her ranging from jumping with joy to collapsing in fatigue.  Her solo in the middle of the show had her expression front and center.  She can go from happy to angry back to happy in a matter of only a few counts.  Winking, smiling (in many different ways), and pouting her way to the Most Expressional Performer award is Jen Metyko.

Sportsmanship Award
The Sportsmanship Award is given to the member who best displays true class on and -more importantly- off the court.  Being in the captain's role, this year's winner easily stood out as a role model to not only her peers, but other members of the guard activity.  She has established herself as one of the best ambassadors that this guard has seen.  For being such a positive influence to the guard activity, Ricci Emmons receives the Sportsmanship Award.

Most Improved
This award measures progress from one year to the next, rather than throughout the season.  The recipient must clearly display improvement in a multitude of areas.  While there were two clear-cut candidates, one member (given her circumstances) stood out.  This year's winner has gone from hiding behind walls (with an occasional flower delivery) to being on both the main rifle AND sabre line.  She has stepped up as a budding leader in the program, helping others learn the show.  And all while still being in the eighth grade.  Although all of the girls have shown signs of improvement, Lyndee Stisher has stood out as the most improved member.

Oustanding Freshman
This year's winner has made tremedous growth throughout the winter season.  When things got tough, she stood strong and fought through.  There is no doubt that she has a promising future in the program.   This Oustanding Freshman is Katelynn Weathers.

Oustanding Sophomore
With such a strong group of sophomores (five total), it's hard to choose just one.  But this girl continued to grow as a performer throughout every week of the season.  She always worked hard (even at the stuff that made her most aggravated) to make herself the best possible performer she could be.  In her two years in the program, she has made considerable strides to become a stand-out performer.  Even to the point that she was given a solo, kick starting the entire show.   Congratulations to Amanda Bell for an oustanding job this season!

Outstanding Junior
This year's winner is once again the only in her class.  However, this time she has taken on additional responsibility.  Being a captain comes with a lot of pressure; but this girl was certainly up for the task.  Serving the role of captain well, the oustanding junior this season is Katie Richardson.

Outstanding Senior
For the first time in history, the LPWG is graduating only one senior.  But even if there were others, I am sure this girl would still win the award.  Serving in her first year of full-time captain, this girl has acted as a motherly figure to all her guard companions.  From painting tarps to  to cleaning the bus, she is always doing what needs to be done, even still after the season is over!!  Whenever you need a helping hand, she'll be there.  As a performer, she has become the most clutch soloist this guard has seen.  This year's Oustanding Senior is Ricci Emmons.

Outstanding Eighth Grader
You'd think picking an eighth grader would be such an easy decision.  But not when you have two eighth graders whom both did a phenominal job this winter.  Let it be known that both of the candidates could easily take this award.  But being in her first full season of winter guard, being on the rifle and sabre line is rather impressive.  This year's winner has many strong years ahead of her.  The oustanding eighth grader this season is Lyndee Stisher.

One of the best things about the LPWG is the support of our parents.  The LPWG has support like no other guard!  The parents are not only more than willing to lend a helping hand, but they show their support in many other ways.  Sometimes it is at the risk of looking just plain silly!  But regardless, our parents will do anything to make our girls happy.  These next 2 awards go to the dad and mom who display an overwhelming amount of support.  These, by far, were the hardest awards to chose, because every one of our parents give a large amount of support to the girls.

Most Spirited Dad
The LPWG is so blessed to have a wonderful crew of supportive dads.  That's what makes this decision all the more difficult.  This year's winner is the first two-time Most Spirited Dad winner ever.  This dad is always cheering our girlson and making them laugh.  And most importantly, he will do whatever it takes to make sure everything gets done.  At midseason he stepped in (without hesitance) to fill the important role of truck driver, and volunteered to keep the position for the rest of the season.  This year's Most Spirited Dad is Tim Willis.

Most Spirited Mom
This year's Most Spirited Mom put in a lot of time and hard work into the show.  Ranging from cutting keys to providing food to nursing the injured, this year's mom did it all.  And most importantly, she cheered loud and always encouraged our girls.  This year's Most Spirited Mom is Carla Kemiel.

Timothy J. Gropp Memorial Scholarship
Every year a senior girl is awarded the Timothy J. Gropp Memorial Scholarship, in honor of Tim Gropp, a dedicated volunteer of many years and one of the original wallboys.  The winner must display excellence not necessarily in the area of performance, but rather in academics, sportmanship, and all-around character.  This year's winner went far and beyond what is expected.  The 2007 recipient of the Timothy J. Gropp Memorial Scholarship is Ricci Emmons.

Lyndee Stisher Most Photogenic	Madison Chartier Mental Attitude	Stephanie Willis Triple-Double Stack Award	Jen Metyko Most Expression- al Performer	Ricci Emmons Sportsman- ship Award
Lyndee Stisher Most Improved	Katelynn Weathers Outstanding Freshman	Amanda Bell Outstanding Sophomore	Katie Richardson Outstanding Junior	Ricci Emmons Outstanding Senior
Lyndee Stisher Outstanding Eighth Grader	Tim Willis Most Spirited Dad	Carla Kemiel Most Spirited Mom	Ricci Emmons Timothy J. Gropp Scholarship