With a rather extensive background of marching unit participation --- junior high and high school marching band, university marching band, and drum & bugle corps (including the U.S. Navy Drum & Bugle Corps) -- it was my thought that perhaps a competitive marching unit for the girls would fill that void.

Sending out an invitation to the young women of Richland Center (WI) to meet to discuss and organize such a unit, 19 eager girls met the challenge.

On that day the HILLTOPPERS COLOR GUARD was born.

They need something to do that will keep them busy. They need wholesome activities in which to participate.

They need something that will develop within themselves a positive self-esteem. They need to feel good about themselves.

They need to set goals and strive to reach those goals ... goals that can be reached by them doing their personal best.

Kids, by nature, need to compete. From the day they are born, they are in competition in one form or another. Competition releases a great deal of pentup energy, energy that could be used for unworthy purposes.

They need something that they can call their own. When they do something well, they need to hear the words, "Good job!"

They need to have responsibilities and obligations. If they are expected to accomplish great things ... they will do it.

They need to have committments, for this will develop good character. They need to learn teamwork.

They need to learn about their country. They need to learn about different kinds of people, and how these people live. There is much to be learned by traveling.

They need to learn that "success breeds success." That to achieve at a high level is the thing to do. They need to learn that what they do as young people will often determine what kind of an adult they will become.