The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from a woman who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. This is our director.". In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. George Hopkins on The Cadets 2017 Show | Marching Arts Education ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. An order filed Tuesday in federal court says Hopkins and YEA have reached an agreement. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. The judge set a Dec. 17 hearing on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. and USBands affects the lives of tens of thousands of students each year and I feel humbled to have played a small part in that. 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The Inquirer is telling me I need to go to another source, and there isnt one, he argued. "I never said yes. money, and members. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? If you forget to do a step-off, someones going to collide into you with a 20-pound tuba. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In both cases, the women say after meeting with Hopkins on business, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. This is art. As a member of MAASINs whistleblowing committee, Calhoun helped compile six reports and publicized them in January. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Cadets was one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.[1]. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets and CEO of Youth Education in the Arts who separated from the organization after being accused of sexually harassing nine women, is suing YEA for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Steven Chirichella Richie has his gold uniform on him in his eternity as he lies in the heavens dont turn him blackplease oh Holy Name. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. The rehearsal and performance grind wore him down, and he got little help from Jackson a former nurse aside from recommendations to drink coconut water and sit out a few reps. Board of Directors Resigns, New Board to Guide Organization", "Former drum corps director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault", "Finding no resignation letter, YEA board fired Hopkins with no severance", "DCI action on YEA! I am not a Trooper, Im just a sack of meat, just sitting on the ground being worthless.. creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! She said Hopkins' denials on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 he complained he had been smeared were a constant source of anxiety. 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. Fine time to ask me now. Critic: I warned drum corps executive about George Hopkins Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. I just felt like, Well, youre right. There are so many other things that Ive witnessed as a marching member, but theyre not my stories to tell, Connell said. Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. George Hopkins - Medium 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. In her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX XXXX@XXXX.com wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins settles with YEA on Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. 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. Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind and a few breaks in the clouds overnight. Youth Education in. The YEA! George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. Never thought for once you were a liar!! I felt so used.". She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. 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, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation, he could be sent to a state prison. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Youth in Education in the Arts has issued a second statement on Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins' resignation that came after a Philadelphia Inquirer article on sexual allegations. Cadets official statement. George Hopkins has resigned. Hopkins surrendered to authorities, was arraigned, and was released on $50,000 bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 4. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Crews were actively searching for people who were trapped, but having a hard time getting to them. Its credits include the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade, a reality TV show and "Late Night with David Letterman.". By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. In addition, YEA! She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. One in four trooper positions are vacant. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. Newspapers publish newsworthy items all the time, and they cant be dragged into court every single time a defense attorney wants to know what other information is out there, Berry said. Broke-down buses, Ibuprofen, and a sex offender: On the road with On November 13, Hopkins was indicted in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania for sexual assault, based on accusations of two women who are former employees of YEA. 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. 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 reasons why may be about more than money. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations Shortly after, more victims came forward, and the accounts of two of these women became the basis of the criminal charges brought in November 2018. Im angry. It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. Executive Director, Youth Education in the Arts Director, nine-time DCI World Championship Cadets D&B Corps Social Studies Teacher: Aston Township HS (PA) 1979-80 Band Director: Northern Highlands High School (NJ), 1984 The corps traveled to Chicago for Legion Nationals at the members' own expense. They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. 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. Hopkins, George. Instead, Beyer is very much in the public eye, and the defense is asking to see the entire video interview, not a reporters notes, he said. 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. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. The members and staff, however, were not willing to cease the corps operations, and reorganized as a new organization, even though the parish kept the uniforms and instruments. Please subscribe to keep reading. Former drum corps leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge "He's like, 'Are you all right?' The judge opined that this situation is very different than, say, a defendants statement to police, a full copy of which would be made available to the defense by the prosecution. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. 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. 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. 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. 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. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. You have permission to edit this article. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. In 2003, Yea! "This is a painful moment for all those who care about The Cadets," Youth Education in the Arts, the nonprofit that runs The Cadets, said in a statement on its website. The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. "There were some tears. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. He watched as several other members suffered avoidable injuries from being overworked with little rest. Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, and Hopkins pleaded no contest to that charge. with the Cadets as DCI World Championsthe first eastern corps ever to hold She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. The. You have permission to edit this article. New statement from Youth in Education in the Arts on Allentown Cadets [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. The Cadets from Allentown, Pennsylvania perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . Morning call file photo/Special to The Morning Call, Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge calls him disgusting, Trump supporters who drove Hummer with guns and ammo to Philadelphia vote-counting site spared more jail time, Paul Muschick: Would money motivate Pennsylvania businesses to move to a four-day work week? Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. The woman addressed Anthony in court, telling him of years of fear, shame, and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. During his tenure, Hopkins took the Cadets to 10 world championships and was an icon in the drum corps community. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Michael Berry, attorney for the Inquirer, countered that the defense could interview Beyer on its own or cross-examine her at trial. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. April 13, 2018. Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind and a few breaks in the clouds overnight. With no 2020 drum corps season, Cadets Arts & Entertainment focused its attention on establishing clear policies, strict safeguards and strategic committees that meet regularly to help guide The Cadets forward. They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. also sponsored the recently inactive 2016 DCA Champion Cadets2 Drum Corps, 2014 WGI Independent Open Champion Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard; USBands (formerly United States Scholastic Band Association); the Urban Arts Center of the Lehigh Valley, which included the Xcape Dance Studio.[18]. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. CEO while denying the allegations. Allentown Cadets hit hard financially by sexual misconduct scandal In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. There was a problem saving your notification. Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. On July 4, 1986 the Cadets performed as a part of the Liberty Weekend celebrating both the hundredth anniversary and the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. George Hopkins Bio Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by numerous women in a 2018 Philadelphia Inquirer article, and was criminally charged in connection with two alleged incidents later that year. 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. and USBands affects the lives of tens of thousands of students each year and I feel humbled to have played a small part in that. The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. There is an interview with Beyer that is readily available to the public that will allow the Bergstrom to build his defense, Berry argued. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. for more than $650,000 in severance and back pay, the organization filed a counter-suit against the former director for $1.5 million in losses which it alleges to have lost due to the sexual misconduct scandal. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! 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!!!
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